Page 46 of Corrupt Desires

“So nice of you to join the land of the living, Brother,” says Kayden directly to my left holding a blue bucket that I assume used to hold the water that I am now drenched with.

It’s then that I really take a look at my surroundings. Kayden looks pissed and is sporting one hell of a bruised bump on his forehead, and Franklin is face down on his laptop. Emilia is nowhere to be found.

“Where the fuck is she? Where is Emilia? Where is mywife?”

Kayden runs a hand down his face before answering, “They have her.”

“What do you mean, ‘they have her’? Do not tell me that, Kayden. Just don’t. There is no reality where that is a possibility.” I start to spiral, my words coming out rushed, my nightmare coming true, and I realize I’m unable to save her.What do I do?

The pain in my chest has me clutching at my drenched shirt, trying to pull it away from my body as it feels like it’s suffocating me.

Kayden kicks my shoe, jostling me out of my thoughts so I can focus on him as he bends down to my level.

My eyes widen and I try to back away in the chair, flashes of the night we were attacked taking over my rational thought.

Kayden grips my shoulders, effectively holding me in place as he levels his eyes with my own. “James, I need you to focus. Listen to my voice, control your breathing. That’s it. Slow inhale, slow exhale. Keep doing that.”

I feel the pain in my chest slowly let up as I listen to his instructions, the panic fading away as I continue to rein in my fear and get control back over my mind. We must sit there for what feels like thirty minutes, Kayden never letting up on his grip on my shoulders. It grounds me but at the same time I feel guilt creeping in. I’m supposed to be the big brother in this equation, and here is my little brother saving the day.

“Never thought I’d have to play big brother, but here we are,” says Kayden cheekily as though reading my mind. He’s always been good at that.

“Very funny, Kayden. I’m fine now,” I say as I shrug his hands off of me. “Thanks, though. But seriously,where is my wife?”

“If I had to guess, the Romanis probably have her. Either she went voluntarily or she’s been a double agent this entire time.”

I give Kayden an incredulous look. “Emilia would never.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. That woman is loyal to her core.”

Kayden reaches a hand out and I take it, hauling me to my feet from the chair and feeling slightly dizzy. “Why isn’t Franklin awake yet?”

“I’m assuming because he’s smaller than us the medicine has a stronger hold on him. Shouldn’t be too much longer though, he’ll wake up soon.”

“So I get a cold bucket of water and he doesn’t?”

“He’s surrounded by laptops, jackass—laptops that hold valuable information. Your ass was seated in a chair.”

“Sure, valid point. So where is she and how do we get her back? Why would she do this?”

“Slow down, James. We have to think rationally here. I feel like I’m forgetting something important. I vaguely remember Emilia saying something to me before I passed out, but for the life of me I can’t remember what it was.”

“Fuck… she said something to you? Think, Kayden. We need to know.”

“I’m trying, you jackass. Whatever medicine she used on us is still making my brain foggy.”

“Why must everyone insist on knocking me out…” comes a groggy voice from the direction of the table. We both look over to find Franklin sitting up in his chair while holding his head in his hands.

“Probably because you’re the smartest out of all of us, right, Kayden?”

“Yeah, sure. Hey, Franklin… What’s that note on your laptop,” asks Kayden, peering over the laptop to find a handwritten note.

From across the room I can tell it’s from Emilia; I would recognize her handwriting anywhere.

“What does it say?” I ask lightly, dreading the answer before it’s even given.

Franklin looks down and grabs the note, his eyebrows pinching together as he reads the scribbles on the page.

“It just says, ‘Matty,’” Franklin finally says, looking up, his eyes darting between the two of us.

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