Chapter Ten: Rules and Conditions
1273 Words
Evangeline
Cold hands dug into the small of my back, dread curling through my system.
My eyes darted about as I tried to find a window of escape.
“One wrong move, even the slightest head turn, and I'll put a bullet in your spine and carry your dead body bridal style out of here.”
I whimpered, stinging tears filling my eyes. I should have stayed in the car. I should have listened to Dane.
Look where my stubbornness had landed me. Soon, I was going to end up in a slump just as Dane had predicted.
Wicked hands shoved me forward, and I stumbled towards the waiting car.
“Get in.” The man commanded.
“Let her go, and maybe you'll drive out of this parking lot still breathing.”
The unmistakable voice of Dane reached my ears, and I nearly dropped to the ground from relief.
The man behind me tensed up, and I felt him turn towards the sound of Dane's voice. Petrifying fear wouldn't let me do the same. I didn't want to end up with that promised bullet in my spine.
“Walk away now that you still can, pretty boy. This matter isn't one you should dirty your hands in.” The man's voice was low and menacing, sending cold chills down my spine.
“I see that you're incapable of thinking for yourself. Too thick-headed to piece it all together. Has the promise of a reward blinded you that much?”
Dane's voice was shockingly even, betraying not even the slightest emotion. I couldn't tell what was going on in that big mind of his.
“What are you talking about?” The man's breathing had gone heavy. Clearly, Dane's words had rattled him.
“I can let you drive away so the police can intercept you on the way. Fortunately for you, your mugshot will be taken without a broken nose.”
I could hear Dane draw closer with every word that fell out of his lips. Dark, cold and laced with the intent of going through with every threat.
“Step any closer and I'll blow your brains out.” The voice of the man behind me broke out, half hysterical, half filled with fear. I was suddenly ripped close, back slamming against the man's front, the cold mouth of his gun pressing into my spine.
My stomach dropped and the blood in my veins turned to ice.
“FL 7KD-481.” Dane's voice echoed the plate number aloud. “Have a great time in prison, suit boy.”
While I summoned the courage to watch Dane's retreating form, the firm hands that had gripped me earlier slackened, and I seized the moment.
With a loud yell, I swung back my elbow, jabbing it into his ribs. His painful groan was loud and immediate.
Without waiting to witness how much damage I had done to his ribs, I bolted, sprinting straight towards Dane's white Audi.
No sooner had I sat than Dane zoomed off, tyres squealing.
I sat there in a daze, toxic shame engulfing me at returning to the very spot I had fled from.
I waited for Dane's smug 'I told you so'. Or his mocking laughter. But nothing came.
“You're not going to say something? Not going to tell me you were right?”
“Your stubbornness led you straight to that comeuppance. Have you now learnt your lesson? Will you now do as you're told?”
Dane's scolding transported me back in time. And suddenly, I was 12 again, scolded and thoroughly grounded. Why visit the mall with friends when I had a blind mother to look after?
For years, I had lived for my mum. I couldn't remember a time when I learned to live for myself, not until Luke. But still, she had found a way to ruin everything.
“Maybe you made a mistake. But you're still alive. And with the new knowledge of who truly wants you dead, you can decide who to trust.”
Dane's voice was low and comforting, which was a total shock to me.
“Are you trying to make me feel better, dear stepbrother?” I turned to regard him, my eyes lingering on the hard set of his jaw and the hairs that lined it.
“I am not your stepbrother.” Dane voiced, tone flat, expression turning to stone.
“Well, the legal papers your father signed with my mum proves otherwise.”
Dane turned those dark eyes on me, and I fought to hold his stare as my belly grew warm.
“Someone wants you dead, Evangeline. That's what you should be more concerned about.”
Dane's words were jolting, the cold truth of that statement making me sit up straighter, dousing the warm flame that had begun to flicker in my belly.
Why did someone want me dead? And who could I trust?
Dane had saved me twice from getting killed. Even though he was Gavin's illegitimate son, he'd still looked out for me.
“Could I trust him? Without succumbing to his advice of keeping the child in my womb?”
Instinctively, my hands went to my stomach, and I cradled it tenderly. This tiny little life had been borne from one single act of revenge.
And if kept was going to remind me constantly of the one action I desperately needed to forget. Dane didn't understand, he couldn't.
“Thank you for saving my life, but I need you to drop me off at the hospital.” I broke the silence.
“I'll take you home with me. You have learnt nothing from taking foolish decisions on your own.”
I turned to glare at him. “I do not want to be taken home. I've got no interest in seeing what your home looks like. I want to go back to the hospital, Dane. My mum needs me.”
“Your mom will be transported to a care home early tomorrow morning. She will be cared for by the best hands in Florida.” Dane's voice remained maddeningly even, as though he hadn't just announced that my biggest burden was going to be taken off my shoulders.
Even though I knew that I was supposed to protest, I couldn't help but toy with the idea of freedom. Isn't this what I'd always wanted? What I'd constantly dreamed of?
“And where will that leave me?” I asked, the crack in my voice betraying the emotions that swirled inside me.
“In my house, taking care of the child in your womb until birth.”
I shook my head automatically.
“I do not plan to keep it.”
“Then I shall be forced to retract the offer of a care home, Evangeline. Keeping that child is the only condition the offer comes with.”
I bit my lips and looked out the window. We were now on the upper side of town, the side with tall mansions and townhouses.
“I can turn the car around right now and take you back to the hospital.” Dane's voice filled the car once again. “I may not want to see you dead, but I cannot keep you in my home against your will either.”
I had loved mother for longer than I could remember, but I'd craved freedom for just as long too. And now, that freedom was within my grasp, I could practically taste it. But was it truly freedom if I was still bound by rules and conditions?
I guess I was about to find out.
- Writer
