Page 61 of Vengeful King

But when I wake up in the morning in the room he’s kept me in for the past several days, I feel more rested than I have in a while.

I’m still sore from yesterday, though. When I get dressed, every bend and motion reminds me of what happened. I can’t help the heat that rises in my cheeks when I remember the way he fucked me so hard with his hand. The more I think about it, the more one question comes to mind.

How the hell did this happen?

I was scared after meeting Mr. V. Meeting him again after being taken by Lachlan reminded me of reality; it reminded me that no matter how much I wanted things to be over, they never would be.

Not as long as Mr. V was alive.

But Lachlan seemed to know what I was feeling. And whether he did it to comfort me or to distract me so I could be used, he still did it.

Now, in the light of day, I can’t believe what I did. It feels like a stupid mistake, but one I wouldn’t hesitate to make again. I should know better than to let myself fall for it, to let him make me fall apart. But I can’t deny him.

As much as I know it’s a terrible idea, I can’t help giving in to his touch every time.

The phone call from my mother’s facility was a reality check. It stopped me from going further, though it made me realize I was already going to. It made me feel guilty, too—guilty that I hadn’t been trying since I was kidnapped to get in touch with her, to convince Lachlan to let me see her.

But the entire time I was hostage, I just wanted to make it out alive. And part of me was convinced that no matter what I did, I wouldn’t be able to save her if I told Lachlan about her.

I was worried she’d be used against me. Now, he knows about her, and he said he’d take me to see her.

I don’t know if I can trust him. I don’t know if he’ll keep his promise to take me, and I don’t know what he’ll do once we’re there. I don’t know if he’ll threaten her or use her against me.

But I have to take the chance. My mother is so far gone that every day I see her could be the last day she remembers she has a daughter. I don’t even try to make her remember it’s me any more; sometimes, she looks for me when I’m in the room. But as long as she knows I exist, I know there’s some part of her still hanging on to life.

I want to see her now, whileI’mstill alive. And if I have to go with Lachlan, so be it.

He doesn’t speak much when I come downstairs and meet him. He doesn’t even ask where the facility is; I guess he looked up the phone number after the call. I follow him outside, feeling like there’s some strange tension in the air I can’t quite put my finger on.

We’re both silent in the car as he drives. Part of me still worries that he won’t actually take me, that this is some kind of ploy that will end with my mother being threatened. But that worry is small, and the closer we get to familiar roads, the less I believe it.

After everything I’ve seen from Lachlan, I don’t know where he draws the line—but I think maybe this is it. Maybe because he will protect his family at any cost, he knows what it’s like for me.

Or maybe he’s just waiting for the perfect time.

I shake the thoughts off when we pull up to the front doors. My heart races, throat dry as I step out of the car. Every time I come here, I worry that I’ll arrive just a second too late.

It’s a nightmare of mine to be out of touch when the facility is trying to contact me, too late to arrive in time before my mother is gone forever. But today is not that day.

I notice as I’m walking in the way the nurses stare. At first I wonder if maybe I look different, as if my time with Lachlan has changed something about me. Then I realize they’re looking at him.

I almost forgot how intimidating he is. He’s tall, sure, but it’s more than that. There’s something powerful about him, something scary.

He has a presence that can’t be denied. When he walks, he looks like he’s going somewhere, like he’s about to do something. He looks like he could end your life with a word.

He probably could.

I don’t know how I feel about any of it. I don’t know how I feel abouthim.I know I’m drawn to him, and that it’s powerful. But he’s also dangerous. He could kill me at any moment if he decides I’m no longer useful.

And yet, I know there are other sides to him. I’ve seen them. He comforted me when I was almost falling apart after meeting Mr. V, and he praised me for having the courage to go in the first place. He didn’t even have to let me come see my mother, but he did.

There’s kindness in him. I didn’t want to admit it before, but I know it’s there. It’s so deeply buried that I can almost overlook it. But when he doesn’t know I’m looking, I can see it. I can see the way his eyes change when he looks around the facility, before they harden again and he’s lofty and cool.

I make my way to my mother’s room. The nurses don’t bother me for once; Lachlan is like a repellent, his presence alone keeping them at bay. I’m grateful for that, at least.

My mother’s room is bright. The curtains are drawn, but the vase by the window is empty. The flowers I brought last time are gone.

I go to her bedside; she doesn’t even turn around. There’s a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I know it’s a bad day. When I speak, I try to keep my voice quiet, hoping she’ll come back just a little.

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