Hyde Page 3

  “All of what Kara? You’ve told me jack shit about all of this and, yet you want my help.”

  Her eyes dart to the roof as my words hit home. I should feel bad. She was my friend once.

  “There are things I can’t share Hyde.” I laugh honestly, I can’t help it. As much as I wanted to find this doe-eyed[RP183] beauty. I wasn’t going into this shit blind.

  “Can’t help you than[RP184], doll.”

  The merit in my voice had her spine straightening like a steel rode up he[RP185]r ass kind of way.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you? How can you look at her and say no?”

  Waterworks[RP186] were on the horizon any minute. Now she[RP187] was going to break down in tears[RP188]. She thought it would sway me into letting her lack of trust lead me into shit creek.

  “Not my problem.”

  The very second[RP189], the very moment those words left my lips pain resonated through my cheek and mouth. The hit came from nowhere. The force behind it was surprising as my lip split, and blood dribbled down my chin.

  “You dickwad! How the fuck can you be such a fucking prick?”

  I should be pissed instead humor ran its course. Smiling at her was a mistake, but this time I was prepared. Grabbing her fist as it came inches from my face I held it in place.

  “She needs help Hyde, Michael will do horrible things to her. He wants me ok. Is that what you wanted to hear? My sister did this she was supposed to be Michael’s[RP190] bride, and[RP191] when she died, he decided I was her replacement.”

  I wish I could say I was shocked. Avery was some angel who was just now getting shadows cast on her. I knew what she was years ago. Avery was never meant for my brother[RP192], Kara was.

  I hated watching Avery flaunt her relationship with my brother in front of Kara. Avery disregard for her twin sister feelings coupled with the crazy, I could see below the surface was like a beacon.

  “I need to know everything Kara.”

  “What? That’s it? You just accept what I said about Avery and move on?”

  This was getting us nowhere. The longer we went in circles over the bullshit I already knew the longer it would take to get to her, to Lucy.

  “I knew what Avery was the moment I laid eyes on her Kara. Now let’s get our asses back in the present. You want to find Lucy, right? Well, tell me everything.”

  I could see how time has hardened Kara. Her teeth sank[RP193] into her lip as she shifted through all the information in her head. She wasn’t going to tell me everything I knew that, but she needed to spit shit out already[RP194], so I can get moving.

  “Here’s the watered-down version. Avery sold her purity to a mafia don named Michael. When she died, Michael claimed me as her replacement. He’s been hunting me for years now. He caught[RP195] up to me once and now Lucy is suffering as he dangles her like a lamb to the slaughter.”

  Running around in circles. She already told me this shit. Fuck it. I couldn’t let this poor woman suffer. Turning on my heel[RP196], I walk away from Kara. I had shit to do.

  “What the fuck Hyde?”

  “Got shit to do and Lucy to find.”

  That was it, not another word was spoken at least on my part. Kara’s whispered thank you drifted on the breeze as the door slammed closed behind me.

  Chapter 13

  Mouse

  I’ve been trapped here for months. The things I’ve seen and the things I’ve been a part of marked my body inside and out.

  They cut into my flesh with the whip. I remember[RP197]ed each time he would take me out to play. I wasn’t to be fucked[RP198], he would say, but they could show me some pain.

  He called it conditioning and was tired of me not breaking the way he wanted me to. Honestly, I would have broken by now if not for the memories of a boy.

  Hyde kept me sane and wanting to fight. The memories of his bravery and his solid take no shit attitude kept me biting the hand that fed me literally.

  I fought each time they took me from my cage. I scream[RP199]ed and ranted promising all kinds of horrible things. I then watched[RP200] as they brought her in.

  Her tanned skin covered in red marks, fingerprint[RP201] like bruises were form[RP202]ing. My eyes widened as her extended baby bump was exposed.

  It wasn’t really big, but I could see it. I knew what it was, and I hurt for her. What she was going to endure was going to kill her slowly.

  “Hey?”

  The cage door closed behind her as they forced her inside. I could see the drugs still had an effect on her.

  “What’s your name?’

  I wanted to remember everyone. To remember each other. We weren’t forgettable and I[RP203] would tell them that when take[RP204] us out for some fun time the men liked to call it.

  “Emilia.”

  “I’m Lucy.”

  Her eyes tried to focus on me.

  “Get some rest, Emilia[RP205] you’re going to need it.”

  Her face fell as she slowly drifted off. The fight was leaving me little by little every day. That little girl who ran all those years ago was to surface, and[RP206][RP207] so was her fear.

  I wasn’t sure how much longer I had before I couldn’t take any more[RP208]. My fragile[RP209] hold on reality snapped. No one was looking for me, I knew that. I also knew I was going to die in here.

  Chapter 14Hyde

  I was an asshole. I knew exactly who this was[RP210], it was Mouse. My Mouse. Little Lucy had grown up and survived in this world.

  I could see the shadows in her eyes reflected back at me in the picture. My peace was broken.

  Everything just blew the fuck up. Emilia was missing, and Beau was losing his shit. His speech was incoherent. Jackal stumbled in an hour ago looking for coffee and has yet to say a word.

  If I know my twin, he did something stupid. I don’t have any time for this shit[RP211]. Kara’s call had my blood pumping. I have no fucking clue what she brought into this club, but she needed to fill us the fuck in.

  Beau was going to destroy anyone and anything that has to do with Emilia’s disappearance. Kara was like family once. But that was before she left without looking back. The very fact she came to us for help should have set off so many flags.

  I knew who she was to my brother even if he’s too fucking blind to see it. I would do anything for my twin including helping a girl from his past.

  And in doing so[RP212], I was going to save the one person who brought any fucking feelings out of me. Mouse was out there terrified.

  The sound of a message coming to my phone beeped and echoed through the quiet space. Pulling it out I look at the words written in black letters on the screen.

  It was a location. A[RP213] second beep lit the screen, and [RP214]my heart sank to my stomach as I reread the words.

  Take care of her……

  I knew it was Kara. She fucking traded herself. The phone creaked under the pressure as anger and sadness warred within.

  I may get Lucy back, but I just lost my brother.

  Chapter 15Mouse

  “Emilia?”

  “I’m here Lucy.”

  “I’m scared.”

  “I know, hon. It[RP215] will be okay.”

  “Lucy…”

  I could hear his feet as he slowly walked into view. I couldn’t stop the scream that erupted from my throat.

  “No, not her.”

  Emilia’s angry scream had tears filling my eyes, she was determined to save me just like I was her.

  “Miss us[RP216], sweetheart?”

  He was asking Emilia, and[RP217] I had to stop him.

  “No Emmy please it will be okay.”

  “Oh, our little red apple wants some quality time.”

  He loved calling me that. I would never touch an apple again.

  “No.”

  Emilia wouldn’t stop. Her voice echoed around us.

  “You need to remember your place.”

  “I’m lonely.”

  Alissa’s voice joined in and
my eyes filled with tears. They did horrible things to her. She was the girl in the alley.

  The one I was taken with. They made me watch every time they took her from the cage. She was trying to save Emilia and me.

  “No, please.”

  Emilia whispered to her, and[RP218] I wanted to scream at the unfairness. Life wasn’t a beautiful place I realized that now.

  “They’re going to sell me soon.”

  “You won’t survive this trip, not after last night.” Emilia was trying not to cry, I could hear it in her voice.

  “I’m so very tired Emilia.”

  “Shut the fuck up whore.”

  “Remember what you promised?”

  “Yes.”

  And then she was gone. Her screams echoed through the building. It hurt to hear her pain and fear, but when it went, quiet[RP219] I all but died inside.

  “I should have begged for my turn, and[RP220] she would still be here. They all die.”

  The words were mumbled and spilled out of me in anger. Soon I wouldn’t recognize myself.

  The noises out there grew louder. Something was off, and[RP221] then it hit me. I[RP222] was hearing were gunshots[RP223]. Fear pulsed through me.

  “Emilia?”

  “It’s okay Lucy it will all be okay, I promise.”

  “Someone’s coming for us.”

  “Emmy are we safe?”

  “Quiet down, honey.”

  I let her think her words helped. But I still listened to her and pressed my lips closed.

  “Fucking find her.”

  The angry snarl had me backing further into my cage.

  “Boss you need to see this.”

  There was another voice, this one sounded familiar. It finally happened, I was losing my grip on reality.

  I could hear them getting closer.

  “Oh fuck.”

  “Emilia darlin you in here?”

  I waited for her to say something, anything, but she didn’t.

  “She’s here. Emmy?”

  I waited and still nothing.

  “Emmy please….”

  Was she gone? Did she die in here before someone saved her? She was wanted and cared for[RP224], something I could only dream about.

  “I’m here.”

  Relief washed over me.

  “Baby.”

  “Please don’t look at me.”

  “Get this fucking thing open now!”

  “Baby look at me.”

  “Darlin please.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No baby you have nothing to be sorry for. I was an asshole, I shouldn’t have… I should[RP225] have come after you.”

  “I’ve got you, baby[RP226].”

  I shouldn’t be listening to them[RP227]. It[RP228] seemed personal. I felt like an interloper.

  “Fuck sweetheart, don’t ever leave again.”

  I closed my eyes and let the tears leak[RP229] down my face. She was saved, but Alissa wasn’t so lucky. Her sacrifice will never be forgotten.

  I wanted to scream when the door to my cage was opened. I stared at the man in front of me. I felt something stir inside me.

  “Lucy?”

  That voice roughened over time still had the slight dark accent to it. The darkness that was always so much a part of him slipped into his voice.

  I had to be dreaming there was no way this was Hyde.

  “Mouse?”

  I sobbed and launched myself at him. His arms surrounded me holding me close. I felt safe for the first time since I was a kid.

  His fingers caressed my scalp as he held me close. He was going to want answers, and[RP230] I wasn’t sure what I was going to say.

  Closing my eye’s, I let the fear drain away just for a little while. I[RP231] could pretend the world was bright again.

  Chapter 16Hyde

  Watching her was all I did these days. I couldn’t stand the idea someone could or would touch her. The first week she locked herself in the room we gave her[RP232], my room, refusing to leave, refusing to talk.

  I sat outside her door guarding her. I wanted to be in there holding her[RP233]. There was something there a deep need. I knew only one thing[RP234], she was mine. Fuck I sound like a bitch. Last, I checked, there was a cock in my pants, not[RP235] a pussy.

  It ate at me that Kara was out there living whatever hell

  Lucy suffered if not worse. Lucy needed us to find her, but leaving her here unprotected didn’t sit well with me.

  I was a fucking asshole. My brother was lost, and I wasn’t doing shit to help him. For the first time in my life[RP236], someone was more important to me than my brother.

  “Hyde?”

  Lucy would only talk to me, and[RP237] I had to promise never to speak a word of what she said. She didn’t want to talk to others, so her refusal was a constant wall people ran into.

  Turning I look at the most beautiful woman on this earth.

  “Baby everything ok?”

  Worry has been a constant companion since the moment I laid eyes on the glossy photo of an innocent woman. she was the[RP238] girl from my past. My little Mouse.

  Her face would light up every time I used an endearment. She was fucking gorgeous.

  “Is there any word on Kara?”

  The hope she had was heartbreaking[RP239]. She needed news, and I had none[RP240].

  “I’m so fucking sorry Mouse.”

  Her face fell, and tears spilled over her cheeks.

  “Will you do something for me?”

  The whispered question was almost impossible to hear. I wanted to tell her I would fucking do anything for her.

  “What do you need sweetheart?”

  “Will you look for her? Will you bring her home? Please. That man is a monster, Hyde[RP241]. I promise I’ll be fine right here.”

  Looking into her beautiful eyes was my undoing. I give[RP242] her a nod. Her hug took me by surprise. It[RP243] was the first time she has made physical contact with anyone. Lowering my head as I wrapped my arms gently around her.

  My face pressed into the crook of her neck. She smelled fucking good. Breathing deep[RP244]ly I let her touch soothe my nerves. Leaving her was going to be difficult.

  Chapter 17 Hyde

  She was sleeping in my bed, curled tightly in on herself. It hurt to look at her. All the marks on her body had bile rising up my throat.

  I watch as she started to shake and then the screams started. I felt like I was being filleted[RP245] like a fish.

  The ache in my chest grew bigger almost like my heart wanted to stop beating. I wanted to climb in behind her and hold her close.

  It killed me. She was being haunted by her memories, and[RP246] I couldn’t save her. The monsters clawing at her were invisible.

  My fist clenched as anger like I’ve never felt before tried to suck me in. I watch as she closes further in on herself, and my shirt[RP247] moved a little exposing my boxers.

  “Mouse.”

  Her screams grew louder.

  “I’m here Lucy you’re safe.”

  My feet moved closer until I was standing near the top of my bed. Reaching out I run my fingers gently down her hair.

  “Lucy darlin please wake up.”

  I was helpless, something[RP248] I haven’t felt in a long time. Both those times were due[RP249] to her this little slip of a woman in my bed.

  “Hyde?”

  “Yeah[RP250], Darlin.”

  “Will you…”

  “Anything Mouse.”

  “Will you hold me?”

  The fear in her voice had that organ I called a heart twisting. Slowly I lowered myself onto my bed. I didn’t even bother[RP251] removing my shoes.

  She turned to face me, and her eyes couldn’t quite meet mine.

  “I did something bad, and[RP252] this was my punishment.”

  “Nothing you could have done Mouse...”

  She cut me off by pressing a delicate finger to my lips. Tears brimmed her eyes, fighting for release. She bl
inked, and her eyelashes became damp.

  “I killed a man.”

  Tom?

  “I wanted to protect you. I used the knife you gave me. I’m so sorry Hyde.”

  “Darlin, I found Tom and no[RP253] one knows he’s dead, but us and the club.”

  Her eyes finally raised to mine. I cupped[RP254] her face, I tried[RP255] to smile, hoping she would do the same.

  “You covered it up for me?”

  “Darlin, I would do anything for you. Don’t you know that? Even then I would have slain anyone, destroyed anything you asked.”

  She blinked again and a smile so beautiful it hurt to look at spread over her face.

  “I missed you, Hyde[RP256].”

  “You should have come to me Mouse.”

  “I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

  There was a knock at the door, causing my body to tense. Lucy’s eyes grew big and her teeth sunk into her lower lip.

  “It’s okay darlin[RP257], your safe.”

  “I know.”

  Her response was whispered. I stood and walked to[RP258] the door. Whoever was on the other side better fucking have a good reason to be.

  I yanked on the door, and was ready to tell the fucker to go off somewhere and die before I killed them myself.

  Emilia’s face covered with sadness greeted me.

  “I bought[RP259] some stuff for Lucy. How is she?”

  I pull the door further open. I turned to look[RP260] at Lucy who was[RP261] knelt on the bed staring at Emilia.

  “You okay?”

  She endured things that she still hasn’t opened up about, but she was worried for Emilia.

  “The baby?”

  “I’m fine Lucy I was worried about you. I brought you some clothes.”

  She held up a bag showing her that she did indeed bring her something to wear.

  “Beau took me shopping to buy you some new

  things.”

  I bet it was like pulling fingernails[RP262] getting him to agree.

  “Hyde[RP263], can we have a moment[RP264]? I want to help Lucy.”

  I wanted to protest, but I knew Emilia wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. I looked at Lucy, who gave me sign that it’s[RP265] okay look[RP266]. I walk out the door closing it softly behind me.