Page 14 of Entangled
After years of planning what I would have done back then, and constantly looping through all the what ifs, it all looked so damn easy: cut my hair, dye it, change my name, leave the country, and make sure I was never found again. It’s what I constantly and so desperately wanted, even to this day.
But I knew the stakes were a lot more dangerous this time around. It wasn’t just Lilah that I would have to deal with. Jude wouldn’t let me walk out on him or go anywhere he couldn’t find me. It would be too embarrassing for him and he’d go right back to being his father’s bitch. And if our marriage ended, Lilah would be in an entire world of hurt in the power department.
The only reason she even stood a chance against the Luchettis in the turf war was because of Jude’s involvement. Without him, she was powerless. She would have no choice but to bow to their every wish.
After my father had died and Lilah took over the throne of the Canella clan, the respect for me and my family had dwindled significantly. Nobody cared about a woman who thought she was intimidating and knew what she was doing. The only reason she had any kind of street cred was being of the reputation my father worked so hard and tirelessly to build.
The marriage arrangement between Jude and myself that she had set up only proved how small her power was becoming, and time was running out. She used me as the only way to save my father’s empire that she’d tainted so easily.
No matter what happened, and no matter where I tried to go, I’d never be able to escape the life I was living. The sooner I accepted my doomed fate, the better off my life would be.
I couldn’t keep wishing to be saved forever. The only person who was going to save me was myself, and I was so damn tired. I felt too weak, too fragile, too hopeless to do anything about it.
The more I tried to fight back, the worse things turned out for me. I was better off pretending to be the docile and compliant wife that everyone thought I was.
But that didn’t stop the fire from burning inside of me to try just one last time to get myself away from all the darkness that clouded my life.
I’d grown up reading about princesses being rescued by their knights in shining armor, but I knew without any doubt that mine was never coming.
I may be the Mafia princess, but this was no fairytale. No one was coming to rescue me. If I wanted to be free, I’d have to rescue my damn self.
That truth rang even more true as I heard the squeak of the door hinge. My heart began to pound, because the last thing I would have expected tonight would be for Jude to come in and force himself on me—nor did I think I’d see him practically begging me to be with him without even having to say a word.
Jude wasn’t one to beg or even ask for the things he wanted. Those around him were supposed to just know and give it to him.
But it wasn’t my husband who tiptoed into my room. And it wasn’t my long awaited, impossible knight in shining armor.
No.
It was a monster hiding in the shadows. One who realized I was awake and quickly moved to the side of my bed before putting a black wool hood over my head and plunging me into darkness.
In an attempt to break free, I kicked my feet and swung my arms, hoping Jude would put a stop to whatever was going on. I didn't yet know whether this was a game he had decided to play,or I was in actual danger. I sadly hoped for the former, because nobody would be stupid enough to break into his home without his knowledge. Hehadto be the one behind whatever this was.
But Jude didn’t come, never one to save me.
“This would be easier if you’d stop struggling, princess,” a deep voice said through my struggling. Hearing this unfamiliar voice sent an icy chill down my spine, and I knew then that this Jude was in no way behind this.
The stranger’s voice was the last thing I heard as I inhaled a sweet aroma, and a dreamless sleep overtook me.
6
KADE
I didn’t planto do this myself, but here I was, kidnapping Soren out of her home under the nose of her husband.
I didn’t trust anyone to do this but me, knowing someone else would fuck it up. This was too important of a mission for it to not go perfectly.
Getting past the patrols of minions Jude had circling the house was a pain in my ass, and I was lucky to avoid getting caught. Now, getting out would be another story, one that I wasn’t looking forward to.
I’d kidnapped people before, but my heart couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt as I pulled the hood over Soren’s head and she thrashed to get free. I knew her image of me would only get worse from here and I was being every bit of the monster she thought I was.
It didn’t take long before she stopped and relaxed, as if she was already done and tired of fighting—or maybe it was the chloroform beginning to work quickly.
She went limp against the bed, hair splayed out in a heap of golden blonde mess. I took the hood from her face and couldn’t help but think about how peaceful she looked. If the dark circlesunder her eyes were any indication, I would guess that this is the best sleep Soren has gotten in a long time.
Fuck.
I couldn’t feel pity for her. Even with the rage blossoming in me at the sight of her and all the pain she had endured close up, I couldn’t allow myself to. I was here on a job, and that’s it. I had to detach myself—had to keep the switch of heartlessness turned on.
