Page 45 of Hold Me
Caleb’s legs nearly give out, his breath hitching. “Why would he sell him?”
“I don’t know. Isaac did something. I... I don’t know!”
Caleb takes her hand and they both race into the hallway. Once they reach the living room, Caleb realizes everyone is quiet, their faces worried. But before he can ask anything, a group of guards strides through the door, dragging Isaac with them.
Jade yelps, covering her mouth with her hand. Isaac’s face is swollen and bloody, his chest crisscrossed with angry welts, bruises, and cuts. When Raphael enters the room, Caleb lets go of Jade and runs toward him.
“Sir,” he says, and Raphael’s angry eyes turn to him. “Please don’t do this.”
“Out of my way,” Raphael sneers. “I’ve had enough of his disobedience.”
As Caleb opens his mouth to protest, Raphael lifts his finger.
“One more word from you and I’ll kill him, understood?” he says, and Caleb takes a step back. If he infuriates Raphael even more now, Isaac dies for sure.
Isaac cracks one eye open, a small smile tilting his lips. “Keep Jade safe. Don’t worry about me.”
Caleb gives him a brief nod, even though he feels like his insides are turning upside down. If Raphael sells Isaac to someone even crueler, what chance does Isaac have of surviving? He’s always been the most temperamental one and this time that could cost him his life.
Caleb wishes he knew what Isaac has done to anger Raphael so much, but now there isn’t anything he can do. As he watches Isaac leave, his throat constricts and there’s pressure in his chest that doesn’t want to go away. He’s lost Isaac now, too. How long will it be until Raphael takes everything from him? Or has he already done that?
“Please tell me he’s going to be fine,” Jade says, tears streaming freely down her face. Caleb turns toward her and gently wipes her tears.
“He will,” Caleb knows it’s a lie, and he’s sure Jade is aware of it too, but she needs to hope. “We’ll see him again.”
“You think?” She blinks at him.
Caleb nods because he’s afraid his voice will crack if he says anything else. There’s always a chance Isaac’s new owner will come to Raphael’s party to show off his new purchase. But there’s also a chance Raphael will send him to one of those filthy brothels where Raphael took them once to show them how lucky they are to be with him. Caleb pushes the thought away.
“What did he do?” Jade asks. “We told him so many times to be careful.” She hiccups. “We told him Raphael’s threats weren’t empty and that he’d get tired of it.”
“Jade?” Sylvia approaches, running a shaky hand through her long bright red hair, her eyes travelling briefly to the guards at the door.
“What?” Jade turns toward her and frowns.
“I was in the hallway when... “ She lowers her voice. “I heard Raphael and... Isaac was yelling. I couldn’t hear what, but... I’ve never heard him yell like that.”
One of the guards moves a little, and Sylvia immediately scurries to the couch. Jade inclines her head, then turns to Caleb.
“Isn’t that strange?” Jade raises her eyebrows.
“Hey, you two. Stop talking.” One of the guards points a finger at Caleb and Jade, who immediately move away from each other.
Caleb plops down on the couch, chewing on the insides of his mouth. Raphael and the guards usually don’t immediately jump when they see them talking for a while, but something has changed. What has Isaac done and said? Caleb tips his head back. They’ll find out sooner or later.
Raphael will want to make sure such an incident never happens again. For a moment, Caleb wonders if Isaac’s last client has anything to do with Isaac’s strange behavior. Sure, Isaac loves to push Raphael’s buttons, but he never crossed the boundary before. Raphael even seemed to like that rather than just tolerate it.
Caleb only hopes that Sylvia’s sons are too young and that Raphael won’t be looking for a replacement for Isaac. If it weren’t for the families who were still leading normal lives far away from here while being constantly observed by Raphael’s men, Caleb would’ve done something... anything, but he knows he can’t. Not if he wants to protect Jade and everyone else.
The next three weeks are slow as hell. All I can think about is Caleb, Isaac, and the others. My nails are almost all chewed up, and I can’t stop myself from wondering if Isaac has succeeded or not. He told me to give him time, but I’m not sure how much. I even regularly call Lloyd to ask if there have been any more arrests or new clues, but he always says no.
Raphael’s number is apparently untraceable and leads nowhere. Actually, it seems as if his phone doesn’t exist. Still, when I decide to dial Raphael’s number, I hear a soft click on the other end of the line and then it starts to ring. Maybe the number somehow redirects the call only if a certain number calls. They have my cell phone number already, and probably my home number too.
“Hello, Lilith,” Raphael’s voice echoes through the line. “I was wondering when I’d be hearing from you.”
“Hi,” I say. “I really tried not to give you any more of my money, but you see, the services you offer are just... irresistible.”
“I know. So how can I help you this time?” The bastard sounds so pleased, like a cat who ate the canary.