Gilded Cage

“Death fit for a betrayer. We’d agreed that it was too gruesome an accident to put in the papers. We wanted to preserve our fond memories of him. We, after all, have the money to buy the silence and loyalties we want.”

Money could buy your heart’s desire. She slumped on the carpet. Her mother was murdered. And her real father as well because they’d had an illicit affair. “Why did he keep me if he knew I wasn’t his real daughter?”

“That…” Stanford lit a new cigarette. “Actually, we didn’t know what to do with you. William decided to keep you out of spite. You’d to be punished for the sins of your mother, somehow. William gave you to me as a reward for helping him get rid of the betrayer. That is why, my dear, you’ll never get away from me. You’re mine, Lillian. My pretty little fuck doll.”

The chill seeped to her very soul. Her eyes were hot with tears. She’d promised herself never to show weakness in front of Stanford since a fiend like him thrived on his power and dominance over his victims, but her tears leaked. She cried.

She heard Stanford laughing, savouring his victory. Lillian barely heard what he was saying as everything had became too much to bear. Her brain didn’t register what was happening, until a sudden force threw her off to the side. She became aware of her surroundings. Stanford stormed curses to the high heavens. Yamazaki looked pale, clutching his gun even tighter.

The limo shook. Someone was trying to ram them off the street. Lillian held on to the edge of the seat as the luxury car took another hit. She heard rapid gunshots and tires screeching against the asphalt. They bounced off their seats when the limo unexpectedly stopped. More gun shots. Lillian retreated to her corner seat when the limo glass shattered and Yamazaki’s head exploded before her eyes. She screamed. Stanford quickly snatched Yamazaki’s gun and grabbed her hair, pressing the muzzle to her temple. Lillian thrashed.

“Be still or I’ll blow your head off,” Stanford barked.

The door of the limo was yanked open.

Lillian’s mouth fell open. Brandon! In the flesh. But how could that be? She saw him get shot. “Brandon!”

“Silence!” Stanford jammed the gun to her head. A burst of pain erupted. “Back off or I’ll shoot her.”

Brandon cocked his head, a sinister smile hovering on the corner of his lips. “I just want her, Stanford. I’m not interested in you.”

“Back off!”

Brandon stepped back a few feet. “Okay.”

Stanford forced her to crawl out the limo with the gun still nudged against her head. He climbed out behind her. She couldn’t see him directly, but she just knew that Stanford was shocked realising they had been ambushed single-handedly and all his men had been killed on the spot.

“Look.” Brandon’s voice was calm as ever. “You can take that Humvee but leave Lillian to me. She’s all I want. You’re free to go.”

A bitter laugh escaped from Stanford’s throat. “I think I’ll take her with me until I’m safe. You can have her then.”

Lillian knew Stanford was lying. She would never be free as long as Stanford was alive. He’d told her that. Out of nowhere, she’d had enough of Stanford’s conniving, abusing lies. She wanted to end it all. Lillian grabbed Stanford’s crotch, planted her hand on his genitalia, and squeezed him as hard as she possibly could. Stanford wailed in agony. In that split-second, Brandon fired his gun and shot Stanford’s gun-holding hand. Stanford’s grip loosened. Lillian ducked and lunged to Brandon. He held her and shielded her with his body. Lillian peered at Stanford. He stumbled on the ground with a bloody stump. His eyes were consumed by terror. He inched backward as Brandon marched to him.

“We need to have a talk, pal.” Brandon punched his face.

Lillian looked away and covered her face. She couldn’t bear to see any more violence.

“It’s about your smoking habit,” Brandon added.

Stanford gurgled as the sickening crunch of a fist met his face. There was a pause. Lillian felt compelled to take a peek. She saw Brandon grab the cigarette case from Stanford’s jacket and pluck out one. He lit a cigarette from the lighter, also pilfered from Stanford’s jacket, and drew a long puff.

“Don’t you know smoking is bad for you?”

Stanford shrunk in fear.

Brandon stooped over him and continued in a dangerous, low voice. “Cigarettes could really kill you. Especially when you used Lillian as your personal ashtray. “ Stanford let out an ear-piercing shriek when Brandon jabbed the burning end of the cigarette into Stanford’s face.

Lillian turned away and covered her ears. She didn’t want to see it. It was too much. The screams continued for about fifteen minutes until she heard another thud. Brandon’s fist. Then utter silence. Lillian didn’t dare peek. She didn’t wish to see the gruesome scene anymore.

Brandon swept her into his arms and planted a kiss on top of her head. “Babe, are you okay?” His expression fell when he noticed her face. “Did he beat you?”

“N-no. It was one of his men.”

“Damn. Let’s get going before more of his dogs arrive.”

“O-okay.”

“Babe, will you promise me something?”