Buttons and Shame (Buttons 4)

Until I was returned to that psychopath.

Cane came downstairs and looked at the plates sitting at the table. “This for me?”

“Yep.”

He grinned. “Awesome.” He sat down and drank his coffee then grabbed his fork. He dug in like a starving man, scarfing down everything like he didn’t know when he would eat again. When we had dinner together, he was usually more refined.

I sipped my coffee and watched him, suddenly realizing I would actually miss him while he was gone. He was the only companion I had in the world. I used to be close with my parents before I was taken. I used to tell Lizzie everything. But now neither one of them was accessible to me.

Tristan would never allow me to contact the outside world. If I did, he considered it an act of treason and would behead Lizzie. But Cane was different. He’d never laid a hand on me, and he always listened. “I want to ask you for a favor.”

“I’m listening.” He finished a piece of bacon before he drank his coffee again.

“I was wondering if I could use your phone…” Maybe Cane had been a decent guy up until this point, but I doubted he would risk his neck just so I could tell my parents I was okay. He was a criminal too.

He narrowed his eyes like he was surprised by the question. “To do what with?”

“Call my parents… I know they’re worried about me.” My mom probably hadn’t slept since the police told her I was missing.

Cane looked down at his coffee like he didn’t know how to swallow the question.

“I won’t tell them where I am. If I do and Tristan finds out, he’ll kill Lizzie. I just want them to know I’m being treated well and it’s not as bad as what their imagination thinks it is…” I didn’t have to lie. I could tell them about my life with Cane. They didn’t need to know about Tristan at all.

He took another drink then cleared his throat. “The police are expecting you to call.”

“I know…but I want my parents to know I’m okay. Please let me give that to them.”

Cane searched my expression, his eyes cold. “I don’t mind you contacting them, but it does get me involved. They’re going to trace any phone call you make. Tristan has eyes and ears all over the police. If you make any move, he’ll know about it. Both of our necks will be on the line.”

It was stupid for me to think he would let me do it. I got my hopes up because I was slowly being brainwashed the longer I stayed here. Now I actually thought he was a good man with a heart, but I was missing the point. He sold weapons to a criminal and took me as collateral.

How could I forget all of that?

Cane continued to stare at me. “I’m sorry. I wish I could give you a different answer.”

My heart actually believed him.

The doorbell rang, shattering the quiet conversation we were just having.

Cane glanced at his watch to see the time then set his mug down. “I have no idea who that is.” He left the dining room, his heavy footfalls announcing his movements through the house. I heard the front door open, and I recognized the woman’s voice.

“So, did you talk to her?” She had a distinctly feminine voice, but it was full of unflinching strength.

“Not now,” Cane said coldly. “I need to leave for work.”

“And she’s cooped up here like a damn dog?”

I smiled because I liked her.

“Pearl, not now—”

“You never answered my question.”

Cane paused for a long time before he answered. “Yes, I talked to her. She’d like to talk to you too—”

“Great.” Her voice sounded louder as she moved through the house and came closer to me. “Adelina, are you upstairs?”

“I’m in here,” I said with a strong voice, about to come face-to-face with the woman I knew so much about.

She stepped through the doorway dressed in dark jeans and a black top. She had deep brown hair like mine and blue eyes that reminded me of the ocean on a hot summer day. An interesting wedding ring sat on her left hand, a white button with gold rimming around the edge. She took one look at me and smiled. “It’s so nice to meet you.” She leaned down and hugged me like we were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years.

Cane followed behind her, looking fiercely annoyed.

“It’s nice to meet you too.” I immediately felt comfortable with her because it was the first affectionate embrace I’d received that wasn’t sexual or unwarranted. It was full of understanding and compassion.

She pulled away, no longer wearing the smile on her face. “I’m going to my husband’s winery to get some work done. Do you want to come along for the day?”