Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 139870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 699(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 699(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
“No,” I argue, knowing that couldn’t be true. “If given the chance, they would have come for me. I know they would have.”
“I’m sorry, Jade, but they didn’t.”
Pain tears through me at the thought that they wouldn’t risk coming in here for me after all the times that they’ve told me that they had my back. “Not even Sebastian?”
“Not even him.”
A tightness constricts around my chest, squeezing until it’s nearly impossible to breathe. I guess they’ve chosen their side in all of this, but they don’t know what Nic did. They probably thought I came here because of the baby, and they just don’t understand.
I let out a sigh, not wanting to focus on it any longer. “Tell me that I made the right decision.”
“I can’t do that, Ocean.”
“Then tell me something else.”
“I love you, no matter what. I’m so fucking angry with you right now, and although I understand why you went to Russo, I can’t accept it.”
“I stand by what I did, Colton. I have to. This can’t all be for nothing. Nic killed our fathers, and despite the fact that they were both really shitty men, he took something from us, and I have to make this right. Nic won’t stop until I’m gone. I turned my back on him, and he’ll never be able to forgive that, but I’ll never be able to forgive myself if I let you get involved and you ended up hurt or worse.”
“I get it, Jade. I understand why you did it, I just don’t like it. I wish you’d have come to me first.”
“I know,” I whisper as a yawn pulls from deep within me. “I’m kinda wishing that now too.”
“Are you safe?”
“I don’t know,” I tell him honestly. “I’m in a bedroom, but I’ve locked the door and put the dresser in front of it just in case. I also stole some douchebags gun, so there’s that. I just … I have a bad feeling.”
“I know, baby. Me too,” he murmurs. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep?”
“I doubt I’ll get any sleep here tonight.”
“You need to try,” he tells me. “You don't know when you’ll need your energy. I’ll stay on the line with you until you fall asleep.”
I nod and somehow feel just a bit safer, more content with my fucked up situation. “I love you,” I tell him. “I promise, I’ll come home as soon as I can.”
“I know you will,” Colton murmurs. “I love you too. Now go to sleep and dream about me.”
With that, the room becomes all too silent. I listen to his soft breathing as he types away on his computer, hopefully searching for something we can use to get me out of here or at least something to keep me safe.
Chapter 7
Saturday morning comes all too soon and quickly morphs into Sunday. Colton’s phone died on Friday night as I shivered on the cold floor, making myself sick. It was worth it to hear his voice through the night though, soothing me and telling me that it was all going to be okay, but I admit, when the phone died and his voice cut out, I’d never felt more alone.
I’m not going to lie, while his voice certainly eased me, it didn’t help. I didn’t get a wink of sleep, and I sure as hell didn’t get any last night either. I heard drunk morons outside my door all through the night, trying to entice me to let them in. The door handle has jiggled a total of seven times over the last two nights, and I can guarantee that it wasn’t someone showing up to check on my well being.
I stayed in my room all Saturday, refusing to exit. For a while, I wondered if I was playing hostage, or if I was really a part of this bullshit ‘family.’ Christian came by with lunch and dinner but didn’t stay. Jaren slipped a few old books under the door, all of which were non-fiction and not exactly to my taste. Though, I highly doubt a place like this has a library filled with all my favorite authors.
I’m surprised that I haven't had Colton trying to bust down the doors. I’m sure he’s worried after not having heard from me since Friday night, but it’s my mom that I should really be worried about. She is probably losing her mind and thinking the worst.
My stomach grumbles and I curse it out. Why do I have to have basic human needs? Hiding out in this room would be so much easier if I didn’t have to eat and drink.
Peering out of the cracked door, I find the hallway clear and swallow back fear. I can do this. I sat out there all day on Friday, and I survived. Yesterday was terrible being locked in that room, I can’t do it again. I’ll go insane.