FAZER LOGINCHARLOTTEA soft click.I tensed, preparing myself for what I knew was coming and what I was about to do. We had just stopped. I knew that because the car had jerked forward, throwing me against the hard metal which had left me clutching my right rib in pain.I held my breath. It was only a moment now.I said a silent prayer just as the trunk popped open.Cold air rushed in.My head snapped up, my gaze falling on the man who had struck Jace. His eyes were blood red, staring dangerously at me.For a split second, my brain froze and then I opened my mouth, screaming as loud as my lungs would allow.“Help! Help—”A sharp crack exploded across my face, rocking my head backward.White light burst behind my eyes. For a moment, I felt nothing.Then the pain came fast and hard, blinding every nerve in my body and rendering my world bleak.⸻Something cold kissed my cheek.No. Not kissed.Bit. I stirred, too tired for anything else. Cold rushed through my body and I shivered violently.My la
CHRISTIANA hand rested on my shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Christian.” I spun around, staring into Vivienne’s worried eyes. “You’ve been staring at that painting for a long time. I think we should head home. Charlotte is in good hands.” I nodded, suddenly feeling pain in my legs. “Yes, yes… you should go home,” I agreed, shifting my weight on my feet. “And take Mam with you. She must be exhausted.”I glanced behind me, taking Mam’s sleeping form on the couch. We were in a private waiting area but still, it felt congested with the three of us. Charlotte’s mum wasn’t here yet. She had called, crying hysterically that she would need to find a sitter for her husband before she got here.Charlotte followed my gaze. “You’re exhausted too.” She grabbed my arm and pulled lightly. “A good rest will do us all a lot of good. Charlotte will be fine.”I yanked my arm and clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to tell her to fuck off without mincing words. Her patronizing words only infu
CHARLOTTEI coiled, barely bracing myself as the car hit another bump and jerked to a stop. The sound of the car door slamming shut, pushed panic hard in my chest. The footsteps approaching me amplified my fears. I had to do something to protect myself. Anything. Ignoring the slight ache, I straightened flat in the cramped space and blindly patted around me for anything I could use to defend myselfMy hand circled an empty can of soda. I held it tight just as the trunk flew open with a soft click. The bright light temporarily blinded my eyes. I blinked, the face of my abductor slowly coming into focus.His face was as big as the rest of his body. His eyes were large as they met my gaze. Tattoos replaced the hair on his face and head. A smirk stretched lips into a vile smile.He looked as evil as the devil you would imagine.“Had fun back here, baby?” he sneered, his eyes roaming my body with a lustful glint.I shut my eyes, wishing I were anywhere but here. “What do you want from m
Chapter 21CharlotteI could not stay there.I sniffed, picking myself from the floor and moving to my bed. Not with her. Not in this house… with her. If I had to listen to her say anything about my duty and the miracle I was carrying, I was going to lose it.She had told him without even talking to me. Did she think I was still that naive twenty-year-old girl who had believed every word that fell from her mouth?I turned to my side and pressed my face into the pillow, screaming into it till my throat was sore.“I'm not having this baby,” I mused aloud, panting as I stared at the ceiling. “I'm not having his baby.”My hand drifted to my stomach unconsciously. I quickly pulled it away.No. No one was getting to me, not even my mind. I stared at the ceiling willing my fortune to change.Maybe I could run away.The thought came suddenly, pumping adrenaline through my veins. I could leave tonight. Pack a small bag. Disappear before anyone wakes up.Start over somewhere no one knows Char
CHARLOTTE“Vivienne!” I gasped, turning sharply to the door. My vision blurred for a second before Christian came into focus. He was leaning against the door, his eyes focused on Vivienne. There were bloodshoot, murderous.“I asked for one thing.” he stormed into the kitchen. “One thing.”My body shook violently as he stromed into the kitchen. I gripped the edge of the counter and leaned against it for support. I tilted my head up and took short breaths.“Christian–” Vivienne’s voice cracked.“Watch the next word that comes out of that fucking mouth of yours.” his voice was calm with an underlying tone of anger.The ache around my chest tightened. I gulped, forcing my lungs to work. What Vivienne had said wasn’t a lie. His reaction just confirmed it.I staggered bacckward, letting out a strangled cry as my legs gave way. Hands grabbed my waist and held me up before I could reach the floor.I slumped against his chest.“Breathe, Charlotte.” he brushed the damp hair from my face. “Bre
CHARLOTTE“Please take a seat.”The two men reached for the chair at the same time. I shifted uncomfortably on my feet as the tension in the room made it almost impossible for me to breath. Dr Nanni raised his hands in surrender and stepped back behind his desk. My companion, ignoring the awkwardness in the room gestured me towards the chair. Taking a deep breath, I settled into the chair.I stiffened as his hand lightly grazed the back of my neck as he pulled away. If he noticed my reaction, he gave nothing away as he took the chair beside me and sank into it.“How are you feeling now, Charlotte?” Dr Nanni asked, focusing his gaze on me. He looked at ease but his smile had lost its glow.“I would ask you to refrain from addressing her so informally.”I opened my mouth to disagree, but Dr Nanni beat me to it. “Addressing my patients with their first name creates an atmosphere where they feel relax and free. It’s part of the process, so my acquintance with your wife has nothing to do
CHARLOTTEThe haze around my head seemed to lift every time I focused on the tiny dirt high on the ceiling. I have been at it for a while.I shut my eyes and exhaled, feeling an instant relief from the tightness in my head. The sound of a door opening broke my reverie. Groaning, I opened my eyes an
CHARLOTTEI took a step back and smiled warmly, hiding my unease at her close proximity.“Congratulations?” I replied, unsure and barely processing what she had said.Her smile dropped. The look on her face made the back of my head tingle. It looked awfully familiar, like I had seen that before.I
CHRISTIAN“You’ve got blood on my shirt, Jesus,” Ethan rolled up his sleeves hiding the bloodstain. “Maybe now we can get a little messier.”I stood behind them, taking it all in. The warehouse was soundproof, so I wasn’t worried about the screams coming from his mouth. Soundproofing the warehouse
CHARLOTTEI pulled away, staring at her like she had just sprouted a set of horns. “That’s not true, mum. I don’t have a husband.”“You do. He’s right there,” she replied, laughing awkwardly and pointing at the young man with curls.“No, I don’t,” I insisted, my voice sharper than I intended.An un







