Page 94 of When We Fall: Part Two
“No,” he replied just as softly. “If I wanted you dead, you’d have died two weeks ago.”
“Is that how long it’s been?”
“Yes.”
“Is E… Is he still alive?”
“He is in much the same position as you are,” he replied. “Wanting to die. He, however, is suffering far greater since you both wouldn’t give up the recipe during your last encounter with the devil.”
“Why?” I rasped. “He’s done nothing wrong?—”
“My father wants his sugar recipe. You know this. He refuses to give it up. So he’s being fucked on repeat and beaten. Drugged.
Bile burned my throat at his words.
E….
FUCK.
“I have to get out of here. He needs me. HE FUCKING NEEDS ME! Why don’t you fucking help him!”
“What would you have me do? Bend over and take my father’s cock for him?”
I ground my teeth as I glared at him.
“You’re his heir. Fuckingdosomething. Please. I’m begging you. I’ll do anything you want. I will give you anything. Get E out of here. Take my life instead if you need a life. Just…anything.”
He surveyed me for a long moment before grabbing another chair from along the wall and placing it in front of me. He sat in it and leaned forward, staring at me. His eyes were so intensely green.
My Rosie’s eyes.
Tears prickled my eyes as I stared back at him.
“Dante, please.Rosalie is your sister.She loves Ethan. Please. Please don’t hurt her. Let him go. Let him return to her.” I was willing to try to play on his emotions if it would free E.
“Let me tell you a story,” he said softly, his eyes still fixed on me, ignoring my plea.
Fuck, he was a tough son of a bitch. It was like he had no emotions at all. Detached. Not… human.
Was this what insanity looked like?
I shivered as I stared back at him.
“I have a girlfriend,” he started. “My specter.I’m sure you’re thinking she must be fucking insane to be with me, huh?”
I swallowed. “Is she?”
He laughed softly. “No. She’s sweet as pie. She’s mute. She doesn’t speak really, although lately she’s been a bit more vocal. Chapel Crest has a way of making everyone scream eventually.”
I inhaled a shaky breath at his words. Chapel Crest was the asylum in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was an academy of sorts, its focus on mental health and healing. Rumor had itthat they took in all the crazies and tried to reform them using religion. Dante’s family created it many years ago.
“You see, my specter is too sweet. Beautiful. That sort of thing attracts monsters.” He paused and settled back in his seat. “Her stepfather sold her to my father. I hold the contract over her currently as long as I comply.”
I licked my lips. I knew where this was going.
“He’s making you hurt people so she isn’t hurt?” I whispered.
He inclined his head slightly. “That and the fact he also has her father and her sister lodged in these cozy fucking confines. If I get him what he wants, he releases her family. My specter will belong to me officially.”
