Bound By Deceit

Chapter 5

Cassandra's POV

Marry him? Gosh, is he crazy? How could he ask me on the spot to marry him? Who does that? He knows I am desperately in need of help to find my sister and that was why he chose to use my weakness against me. I refuse though, I refuse to marry a dangerous man like him!

I will find Jessica my own way. Although it is hard and I know I might not be able to find her anytime soon but one thing I am confident is that Jessica will come around.

Ever since Vincent proposed to me, I have not been able to show up at the club because I am afraid Vincent and I might cross paths again and this time, he might not let me wander off free.

Each day, I keep blaming myself for my sister's disappearance. If only I had not talked rudely to her. If only I had taken things easier, none of this would have happened.

Tonight, I had to drink my sorrows away. I went to a club two streets away and I drank a lot. Although I am sobered up now but the taste of tequila seemed to have helped take away my emotional pain for a few minutes.

I sluggishly drag my feet towards the door. I deliver a small knock on the door but surprisingly the front door creeks open. I frown, I remember warning Rafael to make sure the front doors are closed tight. For some weird reason, I have a feeling Vincent will return back for me so I need to be security conscious.

"That idiot." I mutter under my breath. I push the door open and to my uttermost surprise, I meet Rafael, my younger brother lying carelessly on the floor. His face is covered in blood and his entire body is covered in injuries. His eyes are wide open but he looks extremely weak, like he might give up the ghost anytime soon.

Icurry towards my brother with tears rushing down my cheeks. I break down into sobs and caress his cheek softly. "Who did this to you? Rafael, please hang in there. Are you okay?" I cry out. My heart races extremely fast in fear.

I rush out of the house and in a few minutes, I am able to gather help. We rush Rafael to a nearby hospital and I spend the rest of the night crying my eyes out while laying close to my brother on the hospital bed.

The next morning, Rafael wakes up even before I do. He sits upright and his eyes are fixated on the window. He seems to be so lost in his thoughts that he does not notice my presence until I gently tap him on the shoudler.

"Rafael, I thought I was going to lose you." I break down into tears. Rafael sighs, he scoots closer to me and pulls me into his arms. He rubs my back gently and mutters soothing words into my ears.

"Who did this to you?" I snap at him, breaking free from our hug. I stare at Rafael, his entire body is covered in bandages and it makes me feel extremely bad for not being available for my brother. I should always be there for him but I guess I was too busy trying to find Jessica.

"Calm down Cass. You look like you have not been getting enough sleep. Why do you not go back to rest and then we can talk about this later?" Rafael asks, I scoff at him and shake my head in disagreement. No way!

"We are taking about this now! Do not think you can escape this conversation because I will not let that happen at all!" I snap at him attracting the attention of the other patients in the hospital. I hastily mumble an apology to them and avert my gaze back to Rafael.

"Come on, start talking. Who did this to you? Did you get into a fight? Did someone beat you up for nothing?" I rant.

Rafael begins to narrate how he and his friends got into trouble after dealing drugs with a certain man. He said the man took all their drugs and beat them up without paying for it. I can not help but feel disappointed at Rafael for doing something as illegal and dangerous as that. At least, the police did not get him.

"Who is this man you speak of?" I ask.

"I do not remember much details about him but I think his name ends with Gray." Rafael says.

I freeze at the sound of the name, Gray. There is only one famous person to bear that name and that has to be Vincent Gray. Why has Vincent gone this far?

I rise to my feet and dash out of the hospital room. Rafael calls my name several times but I ignore him. I scurry out of the hospital building and board a taxi to the club immediately. In less than half an hour, I arrive at the club. I attempt to walk into the club but the same bouncer from that night yells at me "We are closed for today!"

I ignore him and push the door open. To my surprise, I meet a lot of men dressed in black gathered in a circle.

"Vincent!" I yell angrily. I know my actions will have consequences but the anger burning in me makes me ignore them.

"Back so soon?" The familiar deep and hoarse voice rings loudly from behind. I turn around to gaze at Vincent casually dressed in a t-shirt and a pair of black suit pants clad to his long legs.

He raises a brow at me.

"How dare you do that to my brother just because I refused your proposal?" I yell at him. His boys walk towards me but Vincent raises a hand causing them to freeze in their steps.

"I did not harm your brother, as a matter of fact I saved him from my brother. Julian Gray but that does not mean Julian will not stop coming for your brother. He will torment him until death. The only way I would help you of course is if you agree to my deal."

Now everything is confusing and Vincent's proposal has suddenly become tempting.

He will help me find Jessica and save Rafael. The offer is tempting but am I really willing to sacrifice my own life just to save my family?