Page 41 of Uprising

She pushes me gently aside, picks up the scissors, and starts cutting like she knows what she’s doing.

I raise an eyebrow at her and she lets out a chuckle. “My mum had cockerpoos. You learn very quickly how to groom them or they cost you a fortune.”

I grunt back because I’m not sure what else to say.

But Bella seems to calm down, seems to understand that she’s less likely to lose a limb now that someone skilled has taken over and when she’s done, when she finally resembles the creature Rose used to adore, I scoop her back up into my arms.

“We need eggs and rice for her.” I say.

“She’s too good for tinned food?” Tia teases.

“She’s allergic to all food. To everything but eggs and rice.”

Tia smirks more. “Sounds like she’s more high maintenance than her owner.”

I don’t bother to reply. I guess that’s exactly what Bella is and yet what does it matter? I head to the canteen. I don’t know when the poor thing last ate but I need to fatten her up, besides I’ve got a feeling she’ll be a good distraction at night, when everyone else is asleep and all I can think about is Rose and Lara.

About what they’re doing. About where they are. If they’re in pain. If they’re cold.

No, Bella will help.

And when I get Rose back she’ll be even more happy to see her dog is safe and sound.

Rose

Iwake to the sound of screaming.

For once it’s not me. Not my voice in the dark.

I throw off the covers, spring from the bed, my head telling me to get to Lara, to check she’s safe.

But when I get to her room she’s tucked up, fast asleep, somehow miraculously, completely undisturbed by all of this.

I huddle in the darkness watching her but then I hear it again.

Another scream.

I could stay here, I could stay with my child and ensure whatever this is doesn’t find her but somehow I know this doesn’t involve us. That whatever this is, this is Darius’s secret. Perhaps the very thing Roman was blackmailing him about.

If I want to fight him, I need to know what’s going on. I need every weapon in my arsenal.

So I grit my teeth and force myself out, out of the room, down the long hallway and barefoot I creep down the ridiculous wooden staircase.

As I descend further into the main house I can hear it, voices, men’s voices, and the whimpering of someone injured, someone hurt.

My heart picks up. I don’t know what this is, what the fuck is going on but I don’t turn back now, I keep walking, placing one silent step in front of another.

As the moonlight trails into the rooms I can see shadows, people moving about. I squint seeing it’s just the guards Darius has on near constant patrols, keeping the place secure. I swear this house has more of them than Fort Knox.

And then hands come up behind me, a hand grips my face and I scream into the palm as I’m pressed into their body.

“And what are you doing out of bed?” Carter says.

I flinch more. Struggle harder. And he shoves me forward, forcing every step I take.

My eyes dart about as we make our way down to where Darius’s home office is.

I can see a light under the door. I can hear the voices getting louder. This is where it’s all coming from and my fear escalates as Carter opens it and forces me inside.

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