Page 135 of Betrayed in the Dark
How did we miss it?
Fury. Wrath. Vengeance.
I become all three as I undergo an out-of-body experience.
My lips part, and a roar like only a murderous God could produce echoes off the walls.
“Where is my wife?”
Chapter twenty-nine
Madeleine
My eyelids feel heavy as I let them slowly blink open. The room around me is engulfed in darkness, everything appearing blurry as I sit up. A groan escapes my throat as I clutch the back of my head, feeling a throbbing pain in one specific spot.
Suddenly, a light casts over the space, illuminating Cressida sitting on a worn, stained sofa in a long, baby blue satin gown; her right gold heel peeks out through the slit, bouncing impatiently in the air.
Everything looks out of place.
“Finally, you’re up.” Cressida smiles, her intent clear as she looks at me with a cruel glint in her eyes.
My eyes catch on a bright red substance coating my fingertips. Blood. Shit. I rub the back of my head again, realizing it’s wet and sticky.That’s not good.
“That’s not my fault,” she says. “You did that to yourself when you hit your head on the floor.” She tilts her head to the side, observing me like a predator. “Don’t you remember?”
The last thing I remember was Cressida asking if we could talk. Caine got up to follow me, but I told him I would be right back as I turned to follow Cressida toward the bathroom. Once we were inside, she lunged at me, catching me off guard as she jabbed a syringe into the side of my neck. Whatever was in it instantly took hold of me as my words slurred and my knees gave out, my body falling to the floor. Hence, my aching head.
But how did I get here?
And where the hell is here?
“Why the fuck did you take me here?” I ask, sitting up straighter against the cold, damp wall, trying to ignore the pain. As a chill skates across my shoulders, I adjust the top of my dress, wishing I had worn something with sleeves.
She uncrosses her legs and leans forward. “Isn’t it obvious?”
My brow arches. “Enlighten me.”
“Well, Eli, of course,” she states matter-of-factly.
My heart stills.
Eli, as inmyEli?
I remain silent as she stands.
“I’m not stupid, Madeleine. Although many probably presume I am, simply because I’m a woman.” Her arm comes forward, and I notice her knuckles wrapped around a gun.My gun. The one that was previously strapped to my thigh holster, hidden beneath my dress. “I know you’re not marrying my brother for love. In fact, I know more than you about everything going on here.”
She crouches down before me, a sympathetic smile playing on her lips. “You see, I love Eli. In fact, I’ve been in love with him for years.” Her head tilts to the side, her smile growing wider. “And I have your dad to thank for that.”
My nails dig into the palms of my hands. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Well, if he hadn’t gotten himself killed, I never would have bumped into Eli at his funeral.”
Every muscle in my body tenses at her words, my blood boiling with fury as my knuckles shake.
“I have to admit, I found the funeral service quite boring. I mean, it’s not like I knew the man. So, while everyone else was engaged in small talk, I wandered aimlessly through your family’s house. And just as I was entering the living room, a man bumped into me.” She looks off into the distance with a dreamy smile on her face. “It was Eli.” She laughs softly. “I had no idea who he was until I heard one of your brothers call out to him.” A slight flush spreads across her cheeks. “His deep brown eyes locked onto mine as his hands gripped my arms, steadying me to ensure I was okay. The deep timbre of his voice sent a pleasant shiver over my body as he apologized for not seeing me.” She chuckles, her eyes glazing over as if lost in a memory. “I never believed in love at first sight until that moment.” She stands to her full height, smoothing down the fabric of her dress. “And I just remember thinking, I would do anything to make him mine.”
Her no-nonsense declaration causes my eyes to widen as alarm bells ring in my mind, warning me.
