Page 24 of Fall of Hellfire (Hellfire Society #3)

nineteen

ALI

A nd just like that, I was alone.

A small part of me wanted to call one of the guys back, tell them I lied about being okay.

I mean, I wanted to be okay, but this is a house full of nightmares.

Everywhere I turned, memories that I thought no longer existed popped back up.

Images of me as a young girl sneaking around the house trying to get chores done without being seen.

Waiting for everyone else to go to bed so that I could sneak to the kitchen to get a bite to eat.

The times I was caught and punished for simply just being there.

No, as much as I wanted to be brave and put on a front that I was okay, I wasn’t feeling it right now.

I knew the guys had to leave, play their part so that pieces could be put in play and we could all finally stop running and hiding, but I’ve become accustomed to one of them always being around.

The me from the pre-kidnapping incident would shake her head in shame at the way I crave my men’s presence.

I was never a woman that needed a man around, but lately it’s almost like they are a piece of my soul.

I don’t think I could see my life without them.

Who would have thought it would take three crazy psycho yet beyond hot men to tame a wild soul like mine.

Knowing I have a bit of time to myself before any of the guys get back, I start my way around the house.

So much of it is the same yet different, and knowing Richard and Ethan, I’m sure there are valuable items or information hidden about the place.

I move room to room, taking in the differences, searching cabinets and drawers high and low.

I'm somewhat expecting to find something scandalous, like photos of criminal actions or maybe one of them in a compromising position.

On second thought, I don't think there would be enough bleach in the world if I saw something like that. Gag.

As I move from room to room, I load up a small box of Miranda's jewelry, like rings and necklaces, a few expensive men's watches, and little knickknacks that look like they cost a pretty penny.

I'm sure I could sell these things and start a little savings.

They owe me that much. The last room I end up in is Richard's office again.

It's the same as it was when I was here last, so I head for the desk and take a seat.

Leaning back in the office chair, I stare at the room at large.

"If I wanted to hide ultra secret documents or something important, where would I hide it?

" I ask the room as I slowly spin, tilting my head to the side as if that would help.

"The filing cabinets?" I've tried them, they need a key or one of the guys to break it open.

"The desk?" Too obvious. "The bookshelf?

" I pause, taking in the bookshelf. If this were a spy movie, then yeah, someone could hide shit in books.

With that thought, I glance around the room looking for a large picture of some sort that could hide a safe, but of course that would be too easy.

Bookshelf it is. Popping up, I move to the shelf to run my fingers along the spines of the middle row.

None of the titles stand out or are even familiar.

I'm about to give up, thinking I'm just stretching for crazy ideas now, when something catches my eye.

The bookshelf itself is nothing fancy, all black with row units from the ground to the ceiling.

If I hold out my arms, I could reach both ends, but it's what is on the shelves that catches my attention.

Dust. A light layer that covers all but a small section of about six thick books.

Reaching up, I pull on one of the books but it doesn't budge.

They are connected. Pulling harder, I finally hear a soft click release and the books move as one, revealing a small safe.

"Ah ha!!!" I almost do a happy dance until I realize it's a combo lock and I don't know the code. "Well, that was short lived."

Deciding I need a break from my horrible detective skills I move to the kitchen to make some sort of snack.

I'm barely pulling out a bunch of precut fruit to snack on when I hear a muffled male scream.

Seems our guest is finally awake. I debate if I should send a text to the guys, letting them know, but instead check the time.

It's been an hour since the guys left, which means they shouldn't be gone much longer.

I shouldn't bother them with this. Plus, it's not like the asshole can escape.

All three of the guys checked the bindings multiple times.

No, I'll just let him scream, sweat it out. Build the anticipation.

I go about making myself a fruit salad as Ethan continues to scream at the top of his lungs.

I bet he would try to curse the house down if he could.

I sit at the counter enjoying the sweet, delicious taste of my snack when a loud thump comes from the direction of the basement.

I freeze. There's no way he could get free.

It's not possible. But what if... The part of me that is still reliving what that bastard did to us rages up.

Abandoning my snack, I make my way to the basement door.

Just like years ago, I place my ear against the cold wood surface and listen.

I might be the one on this side of the door now, but my heart still does a weird flutter.

When I don't hear any pounding footsteps coming my way, I twist the lock and slowly open the door.

It's barely a crack, but I take the time to listen. No more screaming. No cursing. No sound at all. With the guys’ warning to not go down there until they get back in my mind, I take a single deep inhale before opening the door wider and taking a step down.

This is my tormentor. This is my history. This is my revenge to take. I repeat the statements over and over with each step further down I take. I need this. This is for me. I will not let this asshole, or this family, take any more from me than they already have.

It takes my eyes a second to adjust to the light I flip on at the bottom of the steps, but what I see brings me a small piece of happiness.

A smile tilts my lips up as I spot Ethan lying haphazardly on the floor.

His body is at an odd angle due to his legs and arms still being tied to the metal chair.

The gag that was around his mouth earlier has shifted to around his neck, which explains all the screaming I heard.

He lets out a low groan as his eyes flutter open once more, he's going wide in fear before turning to glare.

My grin only gets wider as I begin to circle him.

"I bet you never expected to end up down here like this, did you?

" I ask casually. When I reach the front of him, I kneel down to get a better look.

"Riot sure did a number on you. I think he would have killed you if we didn't stop him.

Honestly, I don't think he likes you very much.

Not after what you left on me." Ethan lets out a snarl in my direction, but the way his face is digging into the ground, it's not as effective as he would like.

I let out a chuckle as I really look Ethan over.

I'm sure he is in a lot of pain, Riot wasn't throwing any punches when he took him down earlier.

He's currently fully clothed, so I can't see the full damage, but his face is sporting a pretty black eye.

"Just wait until I get out of here. The things I'm going to do to you.

You are going to pay for all of this with that pretty little cunt of yours.

" His words are muffled, but I hear them loud and clear.

"I bet your little fuck toy boyfriends haven't looked at you the same since I gave you back to them.

" His words cut through my chest, the breath wrenching from my lungs like he reached down my throat and stole it himself.

"You're ruined to them. Dirty. A broken little girl who will never be loved.

" I don't think, just act. My fist swings out, striking him across the cheek, making his head bounce off the ground before his eyes roll back into his head and he passes out again.

I'm fuming now. What the fuck is wrong with me?

Letting him once again get under my skin like a fucking parasite.

He has no hold over me, and his words...

His words were just that. Words. I know the truth, the guys, my men care for me.

The last few weeks have proven that. He might have permanently scarred me, but it's just skin.

Flesh that can be altered. Shit, I've been itching for some new ink anyways.

I didn't realize I had started pacing the floor.

Five steps forward, spin, five steps back, spin.

"You know what? Fuck you, Ethan!" I yell, then for good measure, I spit on him.

"Fuck your father, fuck your mother. Fuck the whole Black family.

" I continue pacing until my reflection in an old mirror shoved in the corner of the room catches my attention.

The red, angry MINE stares back at me, and an emotion beyond rage filters through my system.

Then it's not me I'm seeing in the reflection, at least not the me now.

No, it's the sixteen-year-old version looking back at me.

The one who couldn't fight back, so she ran.

It's like a lock being undone, a quiet clicking sound in my head that has an idea popping to life.

One that I know Riot and my men will certainly approve of.

What was it that they said they wanted from their fathers, an eye for an eye?

Well, I suppose for me it will be a pound of flesh for a pound of flesh.