Page 23 of Breaking Sanity (Hell’s Asylum #1)

Alley

The constant opening and closing of a heavy door wakes me out of what felt like a peaceful slumber.

Part of me was actually hoping I was dead, because the last look on Baron’s face guaranteed I would wish I was.

My eyes wander around the room trying to grasp where I am at.

I last remember being picked up bridal style and hearing his voice before I blacked out.

It’s been years since I have seen or heard him.

The blinding lights, bright white walls, and beeping machines suggest I am back in the medical bay.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the guard in the multi-colored purge mask that is always in Baron’s office.

He is just standing there arms crossed. I can’t tell if his eyes are on me or if he is just staring at the wall.

Hopefully the wall, because it creeps me out to know people are watching me.

I try to sit up but my body screams in pain.

My arm is in some type of sling contraption.

I lift up the blanket on my legs to reveal a few bruises but with no cast that means nothing is broken.

My free hand starts to lift up the gown, again a few bruises but nothing broken.

I think that until I try moving to the left and there is a sharp pain in my side.

“You have two broken ribs, Little Devil,” Gunner says. My gaze shoots to the counter on the far wall. Gunner is just dangling his legs back and forth watching me.

“Cool beans.” I give him a thumbs up.

I don’t want to see his stupid face with that evil grin, so I plop my head back into the pillow. Instant regret kicks in as my head vibrates with pain. Those vibrations ricochet down my spine, making me fully aware where every injury is.

I take a few deep breaths to center myself before I open my eyes. Gunner is staring down at me with a big grin on his face.

I forgot how handsome he is. It’s been eight years since I have seen him, and I have spent this whole time fighting him to stop and look.

He still has that same light honey hair that is voluminous and thick.

He still keeps it longer and it gives it a tousled just got out of bed feel.

From what I remember it’s seriously soft too.

His square diamond shaped face still looks the same.

His eyebrows are light but you can see them and of course they are perfectly shaped.

His enchanting aquamarine wide almond eyes still shine brightly especially against his flawless surfer boy tan.

The man has high cheekbones that any girl would kill for and a perfectly shaped nose, even after I have tried breaking it several times.

Then there are his pink lips that are plump and soft.

His smile is still devilishly handsome and will make your knees go weak.

Those canine teeth are still defined and sharp as ever.

When I first met him I was almost certain he could be a vampire.

All of this is surrounded by his blonde five o’ clock shadow accentuating the sharpness of his jawline. Time has been good to him.

Evil doesn’t age.

Today he isn’t in his black cargo pants and black shirt.

He is in basketball shorts and a white v neck shirt exposing the chiseled chest beneath.

His legs are still toned like running is his favorite pastime.

They do have a little more muscle to them since I saw him last time and the blonde leg hair seems to have gotten slightly darker.

The look is complete with his typical sneakers.

He goes to touch my face and I jerk it away. I am so damn tired of them fucking touching me. He tries again and I bite the side of his hand. He yanks it back and the guard comes to the other side of my bed. Still not sure if he is looking at me or Gunner.

“She is fine,” Gunner laughs. “Her biting me is nothing new.”

“It should tell you to keep your fucking hands to yourself,” I snip.

Trying to talk hurts. No doubt it has to do with being strangled by bare hands, a fucking seat belt, and an actual belt.

“We know that isn’t going to happen.”

“What do you want, Gunner,” I ask, annoyed. He grabs the water glass on the table and bends the straw to touch my lips.

“I am here to make sure you are okay,” he says. “Now drink.”

I shoot daggers at him.

“Please drink the water,” He sighs as if saying the word please was going to get him struck by lightning.

I try again to sit up but it doesn’t work.

Not having use of my right arm proves more than difficult.

The guard and Gunner have a silent conversation ending with Gunner giving a nod.

I am not sure how but I am going with that is what they did.

Purge mask gently helps me sit and Gunner pushes the straw back to my lips.

“It’s not poisoned, if that is what you are thinking.”

“Just drugged?”

“For fucks sake, Alley. Just fucking drink the water. You have been out for two days and your throat is probably dry.”

I still refuse.

Purge mask puts his hand out and Gunner hands him the glass. The man turns to me and nods, gently putting the straw to my lips. I take a side glance at Gunner and his eyes are practically slits. So just to piss him off more I drink the water. His eyes darken and he clenches his fists.

Suck it, G!!

Purge mask takes the glass away after I have gulped it down, handing it back to Gunner. They nod at each other and purge exits.

“Since I am awake, are you going to take me to my room or solitary?”

“Do you really have to ask Alley?”

“Guess not. Solitary it is,” I smile. I’ll take Solitary for a while just to regain my strength.

“I wouldn’t be so thrilled to go there if I were you,” Gunner says, running his hand through his hair.

“Why not? It keeps you away from me?”

“I’m the one you should want to be around.”

“Why,” I keep my voice low.

“Because Little Devil,” his voice is lower than a whisper and he leans in. “The more you are away from me, the more likely they will get to you. If you don’t back off at least a little, I cannot guarantee your safety. They may not kill you, they’ll do worse.”

“Who? Nik? Vaughn?”

“Just knock off the antagonizing. And stay close.”

“Why?”

“I’m serious, Alley. I don’t want them hurting you.”

“Be Careful, G, you actually might make a girl think you care.”

“That’s the unfortunate part, Alley, with you I do. Even if I don’t want to.” He turns on his heel and exits the room.

What the fuck did he just say?

He’s fucking with us right?

I am not so sure anymore honestly.

What the fuck is going on with these guys?

Purge mask comes in with folded clothes and sets them on the chair. He walks up to my bed and offers his hand to help me up. I take it. My feet hit the cold tile and I slowly move towards the chair. The door swings open behind me and I can feel the atmosphere in the room shift.

“Out,” Nik barks. “I’ll help her get dressed then you can take her to solitary.”

The door closes once again.

“You know if you are here for round two, I would advise against it,” I say, trying to untie the back of the gown.

“It would actually be round three but I am here to help you change.” I can feel him behind me untying the strings.

“Why are you doing this?”

“That kiss,” Nik replies as he unsnaps the buttons on the shoulders letting the gown fall to the floor.

“It was just a kiss,” I say, grabbing the underwear from the pile.

He stands in front of me taking them, then bends down and taps my shin wanting me to lift my leg. I gawk at him and he just lifts his eyebrow in question.

Honestly, given our last interaction I’d rather not be naked in front of him.

Rolling my eyes, I place one hand on his shoulder for balance and lift my leg getting my foot through the hole.

I repeat the process with the other leg.

He slides them up letting the tips of his fingers ghost across my flesh.

Once I am covered he does the same with shorts.

We both stare at the oversized shirt in his hands.

“I need to unwrap this to get your arm in,” he says, lightly tugging on the contraption keeping my arm in place.

“Do it,” I nod.

“My biological mother was the last one to kiss me and it was on my cheek when I was seven.” He lifts the shirt over my head and I get my other arm and head in the correct holes as he continues.

“It was the night before she was murdered, Little Minx. After that I didn’t let anyone kiss me, not even Melinda.

She did try a couple of times but I would start to fight, so she gave up.

She would take what she wanted from my and Vaughn’s body almost nightly. ”

Jesus Christ!

“I- I’m sorry,” I whisper.

That seems to piss him off because he shoves my injured arm through the other hole. I wince in pain but keep my scream to myself.

“I don’t need your pity,” he snaps, picking the contraption up from the bed.

“I don’t pity you Nikolas,” I raise my voice letting the anger bleed through. “I am sorry for the young boy whose soul was slaughtered at a young age just to leave a demon in his place.”

He just stares at me, shocked by what I said. His gentleness returns as he rewraps my arm and shoulder.

“Demon or not,” he kisses my forehead and leans to whisper in my ear. “I will make you love me then stand by laughing as they tear you apart. You made the mistake of putting yourself in my path and now you will suffer those consequences.” He pushes me back and heads towards the door.

“Hey Pretty Boy,” I shout, turning to face him. “No amount of brainwashing on this planet could persuade me to love you.”

“Challenge accepted Butterfly,” he smirks. “She is all yours man. Take her to solitary.”

Fucking psycho!

Purge mask steps into the doorway and gestures for me to leave the room.

I head towards him but before I can pass, he grabs my good wrist and slaps a cuff on it.

Then wraps the other cuff carefully around my injured wrist. He tightens them as much as possible and yanks the middle chain for good measure.

Growling in annoyance and pain, he lets out a low chuckle underneath the mask.

It takes everything in me not to lash out.

Once we are down in the creepy ass basement, I start to walk in the direction of my last cell but he stops me.

“Follow me,” he says as he grabs my good hand and leads me down the other hall. His voice is so familiar and the way he holds my hand sends flashbacks of the club through my mind.

There is no way it is actually him.

It can’t be right?

The hallway we start to walk down gets colder and colder the further we go.

We stop at the very last cell door. He lets go of my hand and starts to open.

I take a quick look around and see there are no cameras in this hallway except at the entrance.

He pulls the chain of the cuffs forcing me to walk into the room.

“Don’t attack,” he orders, pulling the cuff keys from one of his pockets. It’s hard to see because the only light is coming from the hallway.

“There’s no cameras in here,” I observe.

“No lights, except for the hallway,” he adds. “But there is a little window that can be opened to give you a little light.”

“That’s awesome.”

“Just think of it as being blindfolded,” he suggests.

“That was always your favorite thing to do wasn’t it,” I snark. I really want to know if it’s actually him or if I was being delusional when he was carrying me.

“You never complained,” he whispers.

NO FUCKING WAY!!

“Well that was the past.”

“I am aware but still doesn’t change the facts.”

“And what are those,” I ask, trying to keep my voice low in case there are microphones hidden.

“You love being blindfolded and cuffed,” He removes them and lightly traces the already painful mark. “And that you are mine.”

“I was. For a month. And that ended years ago.” I wrench my hand from his grip.

“That was the first deal not the last,” he says.

“The last?”

“You don’t remember that last night in the cabin before you passed out?”

“Vaguely. It was years ago.”

“You promised me your life Alley. You promised to be mine.”

“Promises mean nothing in this world.”

“Mine do,” He snaps lifting up the mask, but I still can’t see his face. He moves into my space and the electricity zings through my body. Fuck. I forgot what it was like to be around him.

“I have yet to see it,” I snap back, getting close to his face.

“Alley,” he growls. I feel his hand land on my bruised hip, squeezing his fingers around in warning. I whimper in pain.

“Fuck,” he releases me. “Just watch yourself. This is Baron’s playground, and you have made yourself his personal project. I have never seen him react until you.” He rushes out the door without another word closing it behind him.

Baron’s playground?

Meaning we’re fucked!