Chased (Savage Men 3)

I just have to figure out a way to contact Ella and Cage. Maybe if I save enough money, I can hire someone to get them out of there. If I can ever even figure out where the hell the compound is.

God, I don’t think I’ve ever hated being blind more than today.

“Syrena? Get your ass down here. The customers need more drinks!” Roy shouts, banging on the door.

I sigh and get out from my curled-up ball. I’m not ready to face the noise downstairs, the clapping and whistling customers, the loud music, Roy’s yelling.

But I go anyway.

I go because I must.

Because this is the life I chose.

The freedom I so desperately wanted.

Accompanying Song: “A Quiet Life” by Teho Teardo & Blixa Bargeld

Chase

A few days later

As I sit on the stool and stare at the dark wall ahead of me, I fade away into oblivion.

I don’t think I’ve ever gotten so drunk before that I don’t even know what I’m doing, but I don’t care. Alcohol is the only thing that’ll drown out her voice. Her whispers. Her touch.

But fuck me … I can’t stop thinking about her.

She’s probably at Roy’s right now, working her ass off for a meager paycheck. That fucker can’t see what she’s worth, doesn’t know what he has.

What if he hits her again?

Just the thought makes my blood boil.

I should go there and get her, but I know she’d hate me for it, which is the last thing I want. I’m going against every fiber of my being by not helping her. I didn’t even give her cash so she could stay at a better place than Roy’s, but I know she’ll never accept it. Not even when I forced it on her. She’d just chuck it back in my face.

She doesn’t want me anymore. Or anything that has to do with me.

I take another sip and stare wistfully at the people around me, wondering if they’re here for the very same reason I am. If they’re drowning in a hell of their own making too. If one of them is a delinquent … because if so, I might kill that one later.

I really need a fix right now.

Anything to get rid of this rage flowing through my veins.

Fuck, I should’ve killed Graham when I had the chance.

Way back when … when I first got my hands on her mother. I should’ve finished the job then. But no, I actually wanted to let him continue, so I could catch more of the guys who continuously went to him to get their fix. I wanted all of them to die so badly that I exchanged my own morals for the sake of hunting them down. I’m just as evil as they are.

Fuck, I need more to drink.

I slurp up the whiskey and slam down my glass onto the bar. “Another one.”

Suddenly, someone sits down beside me and holds his hand over my glass. “Enough.” I look up into Brandon’s familiar face. “Don’t you think?”

“Oh … it’s you again,” I say.

“Hello to you too,” he says, laughing. “You look like a mess.”

“Thanks, so do you.”

“Hey, you invited me here, remember?”

“Did I?” I narrow my eyes. “Can’t remember.”

He nods. “Figured.” He signals the bartender. “Two waters, please.”

“Water?” I scoff. “What kind of pussy are you?”

“The pussy who helps his friend when he’s obviously in need.”

“Tsk …” I grumble, looking away. “I don’t need any help.”

“Right.” He slides one of the glasses filled with water toward me. “Drink up. Might make you feel better.”

Reluctantly, I take a big gulp, but it doesn’t do it for me.

“What are you doing here?” he asks after a while.

“What does it look like?” I glance his way.

“Like you’re trying to kill yourself.”

I shrug. “Not sure if that’s so bad.”

“No.” He grabs my shoulders and forces me to turn around. “But the you I know would never say this.”

“Maybe the world is better off without me. Don’t you think?”

He raises a brow. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Nothing,” I reply, completely blanking out. “Have another name on the list? I could do with a hit.”

“Stop,” he says, briefly placing a hand on my shoulder. “That’s enough.”

“Why?” I frown.

“Because you’re clearly miserable. Why?”

“Because she’s gone, that’s why.” I turn my head so I don’t have to see the obnoxious look on his face. I know he thinks I’m a sad, pathetic asshole, and he’s right. But I don’t need confirmation of that right now. I know exactly who I am and what I’ve done.

“What, did she escape?” he scoffs.

I let out a sigh and put down my glass. “I let her go.”

There’s an uncomfortable silence, and for a second, I think he might’ve run off.

“What? For real?” There’s more shock in his voice than I anticipated.

I nod, and he pats me on the back. “Well done.”

I gaze his way. “I told her everything.”