Page 46 of The Boy I Loved (Eternal Hell #1)

Sorry. I went away with my uncle for a little bit and haven’t had good service. I haven’t seen or heard from Hazel. Is she okay?

I pocketed my phone, my nerves going haywire through my veins.

It was the best I could do for her. I knew the incoming texts were inevitable.

We’d been best friends for years and I randomly vanished around the same time her daughter had.

As long as she didn’t suspect I had anything to do with it, it was fine.

I slipped out into the hall, needing to separate myself from my warring thoughts and emotions.

When I made it to the lounge, I wasn’t surprised to find Mason there—it was his day off too and he preferred it up here rather than the basement.

I couldn’t say I blamed him. It smelt like pure death and shit down there.

His blue eyes darted to meet mine, a small smirk curling around the edges of his mouth, like he knew something I didn’t .

I dropped down into the chair adjacent from him, crossing one leg over the other as I settled back in my seat.

“How did you sleep?” he asked nonchalantly, swirling the clear liquid around in his glass.

“Like a baby,” I lied. “And you?”

He shrugged. “Can’t complain.” He brought the beverage to his lips, taking a long, slow swallow as he peered at me over the rim. “I just came back from the lab. Hazel’s results came in.”

I tensed, my fingers curling into the palms of my hands. “And?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

“She’s clear. But … you already knew that.” He shot me a wink, something sinister flicking through his irises.

If we weren’t surrounded by a whole bunch of people, I might have strangled him until the life faded from his eyes. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he should know better than to threaten me with Hazel of all people. She was one of the only people I’d risk it all for if it came down to it.

I grunted in response, not knowing how else to reply. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of a verbal warning. I’d already fucked up when I punched him and threatened him. Now he knew my weakness and there was little I could do about it.

“I’ve gotten to sample the goods,” he continued. “Twice now. I’m ready for the real thing.”

My teeth scraped together, rage punching through my chest with a vigorous ferocity. “I can’t stop you,” I replied, attempting to keep the edge from my tone. Maybe if I pretended I didn’t give a shit, he’d lay off.

He arched an eyebrow, silently challenging me. “That so?”

“It’s what I said, isn’t it?”

A snort of amusement left him, his eyes narrowing like he didn’t quite believe me.

Mason was too observant for his own good.

He’d always been that way, and I was certain it had to do with the rough life he’d endured growing up.

He never spoke of his mom, but I was certain that his hatred for women stemmed there.

Maybe his dad had led an awful example—who the fuck knew?

He didn’t talk about him much either, other than to say how much of a piece of shit he was.

“Thought you said you’d kill me if I ever touched her again.” A glimmer of amusement swirled within his blue eyes, the corner of his lips tugging slightly.

I gritted my teeth, digging my nails into my palms more forcefully. “You touched her again already and you’re still breathing, aren’t you?”

Now, he was full on smiling. “Ah. So, you did find my little gift.” He took another drink, stretching his legs out before him.

“You were right about her. She didn’t put up much of a fight.

She kept trying to withhold her orgasm though.

Even begged me to stop.” A malicious chuckle tumbled from his lips, his eyes glazing over like he was reliving the memory.

“But fuck.” He groaned. “When she came … she came .”

Picturing Hazel writhing on Mason’s lap as he plunged his fingers in and out of her tight pussy wasn’t what I wanted to think about.

And yet, the image came to life, clouding most of my thoughts.

She was mine . She’d always been mine. But I couldn’t even fucking claim her, not if I wanted to keep her safe.

“Telling me this doesn’t have the effect you think it does,” I lied, somehow managing to keep my tone level. “If anything … thinking about it kind of turns me on.”

Mason scowled, annoyance flickering across his face.

Before he could throw another retort my way, Emerson—Tristan’s main bitch—took a seat beside Mason, flicking her dark hair over one of her shoulders.

She crossed one toned leg over the other before raking her gaze over Mason. She had a thing for blonds, it seemed.

“Bored?” Mason asked her, barely sparing her a glance.

“A little. Tristan’s on break outside and then he’s going on basement duty. ”

My shoulders straightened, fear slamming into me. “Who else is on basement duty tonight?” I hedged.

Emerson shrugged. “Vincent and Rodney; I think.”

Rodney was new. I’d barely encountered him, and I hadn’t seen him take advantage of any of the girls yet, so that was something. I knew he had to have at some point, otherwise he wouldn’t be working here. Tristan and Vincent though …

Acid burned the back of my throat, rising and rising with the threat of exploding all over the place. I had to talk to Clay, to beg him to let Hazel out or at least to keep her safe,

“I’m taking a nap,” I grumbled.

I didn’t spare them a second glance before striding toward the elevator and taking it to the next floor. As soon as I reached Clay’s office door, I knocked my knuckles against the wood.

As usual, he took his sweet time opening it. He poked his head out, his gaze skimming over me briefly before he pushed the door open wider to allow me entry.

By the time I’d managed to close the door behind me, Clay was already sinking into his chair again. He spent most of his time up here, away from everyone else, or he hung out in the studio.

“I had a feeling you’d be knocking on my door sooner or later,” he commented with a heavy sigh. “Let me guess … this is about Hazel, correct?”

“Yes,” I admitted, not seeing any reason to beat around the bush. “A handful of the guys are targeting her. She isn’t built for this.” It was the truth. Hazel was soft and kind; she wouldn’t be able to push through something as traumatic as what these guys wanted to do to her

Clay grunted in response. “The guys always target fresh meat,” he reminded me. “And she’ll just have to adapt. If she doesn’t, she’ll be disposed of. That’s how things work around here, Dominic. ”

A lump formed in the back of my throat. “I’m begging you. Just let her go. I’ll do whatever you want me to, but please . Let her go.”

His expression was an unreadable mask, his cold gray eyes locking onto mine. “You’ll already do whatever I want.” He shrugged, the leather creaking beneath his weight. “And if you don’t, I’ll just have to have a little chat with Alice.” He arched an eyebrow as if to challenge me.

But I couldn’t. He wasn’t wrong. Clay already had me by the balls and he knew it. It didn’t matter that he’d taken Hazel, because my sister was still out there.

“Unless of course, you’d rather I trade Hazel out for Alice. I’m sure that could be arranged.”

My stomach dropped, defeat settling heavily over my limbs.

I couldn’t choose Hazel over Alice. What would that say about me?

I loved them equally but in different ways.

Alice was my little sister; someone I loved and cherished.

Hazel was more than that—a friend I wanted to fuck and consume until there was no part of her that didn’t end with me.

“Why her?” I demanded, tipping my chin. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me. I’ve done nothing but show my complete loyalty to you and the Cobras. So … why her ?” I didn’t care how pathetic I sounded. I’d drop to my knees and beg if it meant her safety. If it meant she’d be out of this place.

Clay was silent for a few moments, his eyes hardening further.

He didn’t like to be questioned, and I rarely ever questioned him, but he owed me an explanation.

“What was the first lesson I taught you?” he asked, swirling the amber liquid around in his glass before tipping it back and taking a slow drink.

My eyebrows furrowed in response as I attempted to recollect my thoughts, sifting through them to find the response he was looking for. The answer hit me at full force, and I knew then … that there was no hope for me or the girl I loved.

“That women are a weakness and a liability,” I murmured .

His lips twitched. “Precisely,” he confirmed.

“And the fact that you’re standing here, begging me , proves my point.

” He flicked his hand in a dismissive gesture.

“Get out of my sight.” Annoyance rolled off his tongue, followed by a soft scoff.

He didn’t understand. He wasn’t human enough to grasp the concept of emotions or principle.

Gritting my teeth, I stormed for the door, wrenching it open and slipped out into the hall.

I wanted to kill him. I wanted to snuff the last bit of light from his eyes and loom over him when he realized that I— his nephew—was the one to end him once and for all.

My hands tore through my dark hair with aggression.

I was stupid for thinking I could get through to him.

Clay didn’t negotiate. He found loopholes that granted him access to the things he wanted.

Maybe he never wanted Alice at all. Maybe it had always been Hazel, and he used Alice against me to get to her.

Nicholas rounded the corner, his dark eyes widening a fraction when they landed on me. He glanced over his shoulder momentarily, as if he were worried someone might be lurking nearby.

“I was just—” I began.

“I know what you were doing,” he stated. “It was stupid of you.”

My throat was tight. Had I been that obvious? I’d never been good at hiding my emotions, but I tried to when it came to her.

Nicholas blew out a sigh, nodding his head toward the elevator.

Confusion tore through me, but I took the invitation and made my way toward it, with him following closely behind.

Once I broached the large metal box, Nicholas grabbed me by my arm, whirling me around, and slammed me against the wall beside him.

His dark amber eyes lit up with rage, his chest heaving with restrained anger.

“Are you fucking insane?” he snapped, keeping his tone low.

I wasn’t used to seeing Nicholas lash out. He was always calm and collected—the level-headed one of the group.

“I didn’t know what else to do,” I hissed, shoving him off of me. My eyes darted up to one of the cameras in the corner of the building, my throat bobbing with a nervous swallow.

“You don’t go to Clay. Ever. ” He growled.

I got the sinking feeling that Nicholas knew something about my uncle that I didn’t. If anything, his reaction was proof enough that he wasn’t as loyal to Clay as I once thought.

“I wouldn’t have if I had another option.” I scoffed.

“Clay, Tristan, Mason, Vince, Rodney, and Cody are all in bed together. Probably even more that I don’t know about, but I do know for a fact that anything you say to any of them is relayed.”

I had a feeling that Mason, Tristan and Vince were in bed with Clay, but I wasn’t certain about the others. “I still wouldn’t have done anything different,” I admitted.

Nicholas shook his head in exasperation. “You’re going to be your own downfall,” he murmured. “Did you honestly think he’d cater to your desires? He’s never let a girl out of the compound.”

He wasn’t wrong, and I did know it was a long shot even asking.

But I had to at least try. Hazel was here because of me.

My thoughts were an endless loop of the same memories and same regrets.

She couldn’t die like this. She had an entire life ahead of her.

The only thing that offered me even the smallest reprieve was that she hadn’t cried yet—to my knowledge.

As long as she stayed strong, even if she just pretended to, she might just make it in here.

But even then, she’d just be sold or forced to do horrendous things. There was no winning for her.

“I know,” I replied, leaning against the wall behind me. “I was desperate.”

“Well don’t be. To Clay, desperation is a weakness. You’re only digging yourself a bigger hole. Hazel is screwed. You can’t fucking save her, so save yourself.”

He was right, but that knowledge did little for me. I couldn’t just stand by and watch her be tortured and hurt. But what else could I do?