“It’s fine,” I respond, dipping my spoon into the broth of the chicken noodle soup. It smells delicious, and my stomach growls in approval. Though I was hungry, a tinge of guilt burrows into my mind, and I drop the spoon into the bowl. I can’t eat, not knowing what is happening to her. It doesn’t matter what was said or what had taken place. The way I treated her… There was simply no excuse. I should’ve known better.
“You don’t have to feel guilty about eating,” Jared chimes in. I can’t force myself to look at him. I don’t want him reading my thoughts. I am supposed to be the King, the man who runs everything with an iron fist. Instead, I run nothing. My empire has crumbled, and everything that meant the most has been stolen from me.
“It’s not guilt,” I lie. I’m on the verge of losing my temper again. I’m tired of being caged, being told what to do, and how I need rest. What I need is Amara… safe and happy. I don’t care about anything else.
“Well, that’s a crock of shit.” He laughs, setting his spoon down on the table. I don’t know where to go from here. There is nothing I can say that would help. I need to take action.
“Call it whatever the fuck you want. I don’t care. I need to figure out a plan, then I need to implement it because I will get her back, and I will gut Mack. No one lies to me and gets away with it.” Simply admitting he had pulled the wool over my eyes angers me. It makes me feel weak in the eyes of my people, and I’m not weak.
“Whatever. Do what you need to,” he says, frustrated with me. I can’t blame him. I’m frustrated with myself.
“Have you talked to Eli?” I ask, trying to change the subject.
“No,” Jared lowers his voice. “I haven’t heard from him, and he is ignoring my calls.”
“Great. Either he is dead or found a new alliance.” It’s hard not to be bitter about it. I grit my teeth so hard my jaw hurts.
“There is someone else I talked to. Matter of fact, he is going to come by today.”
“What the fuck, Jared?” I bark at him. No one is supposed to know where I am.
“I know, I know.” Jared waves his hands at me like that’s gonna calm me down. “I should have asked you, but I didn’t think you’d mind–”
“Who?”
“My dad. I called him this morning to ask for help. I didn’t think he would at first, but when I told him what happened, he agreed to help right away. It’s kind of odd, to be honest, but he said he has to tell us something in person. It’s about Amara.”
“What the hell does your dad know about her?”
“I don’t know.” He fishes his phone out of his pocket and looks at the screen. “We’ll find out soon though, he is on his way.”
No matter what it is, I won’t doubt Amara ever again. I will find her and bring her back home with me. I don’t care if my body is healed or not, I’ll be ready.3Amara“Get up, you stupid bitch.” I hear the voice before I can register what’s happening. Cold water falls on me, dousing any further movements. I’m strong, really strong, but this shit is wearing on me. They keep me in a fucking hole, threw me in here on day one. A deep hole dug somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
Every time they come to torment me, they wear masks, so I can’t see their faces. That fact gives me a sliver of hope. If they don’t want me to see who they are, surely, that means they are planning on letting me live.
I might not know who they are specifically, but I know they work for Mack. Mack. Just saying his name causes my blood to boil. I’ve never hated anyone as much as I do him. Matter of fact, I don’t think I’ve ever hated anyone at all. I didn’t know real hatred until now.
At least he hasn’t done what he promised that day he took me. I think he threatened to rape me to scare me and taunt Enzo. Thinking of Enzo makes my chest constrict. The last time I saw him, I thought he was going to die; I was sure of it for days. I only know he is alive because I heard Mack talking to some of his men.
I’ve had very little given to me since I arrived, and I know there is a purpose behind this. They don’t want me to get comfortable. They don’t want me to feel at home. Food is sent down in small rations—just enough to keep me from starving to death. Crackers, peanut butter sandwiches, and small bottles of water are my only sustenance throughout the day.