Fortunately, Julius wasn't driving. It was easy for Jenny to close the gap behind whatever goon was at the wheel while keeping a safe distance. She didn't want to risk being spotted, especially if someone recognized the vehicle.
After about twenty minutes of driving, she saw them pull into a gravel parking lot. Next to it stood a dilapidated tavern. She passed by, hoping Julius wouldn't notice her, and parked about half a mile down the road, trying to conceal the SUV. She pocketed the keys and then made her way back toward the seedy establishment.As she approached the front door, she realized the tavern's shabby appearance was more of a facade. The wooden surface was painted to look grainy and rotting, likely to deter unwanted visitors. A cheap LED light flickered outside, proclaiming the tavern was "OPEN." The roof and shutters were carelessly painted a streaky black. On the door, she noticed a symbol that hadn't been visible when she had driven past—a rose surrounAfter a moment, the click of a door reached her ears, prompting her to slowly peek around the corner. The hallway was now empty, devoid of Julius and the guards. Faintly, she could hear Julius's voice echoing from deeper within, accompanied by the sound of shrill laughter bouncing off the walls.Unintentionally, she found herself moving, carefully stepping forward to ensure she made no noise as she approached the door. It was a heavy oak structure adorned with the same intricate rose and thorn engraving she had seen upstairs and behind Lance's ear. She took a deep breath, pondering the meaning behind the imagery and symbolism. She made a mental note to look it up in the library if she ever had a spare moment at school. She thought about searching it online using her phone or laptop, but she was certain her father—and possibly even Julius—could be monitoring her activities.Positioning herself so that if the door opened, she'd remain hidden, she pressed her ear
Jenny fought to suppress the scream rising in her throat. She rushed to Richard's side, gently cradling his face in her hands. The gag was tightly bound around his head, and it took only moments for her nimble fingers to untie it, freeing the blood-soaked cloth from between his teeth."Richard," she whispered, tears beginning to stream down her cheeks. "Can you hear me?"His head felt heavy in her hands, and his eyes fluttered as he struggled to stay conscious."Jenny," he moaned. The sight of his pain drove her to tears. His eyes closed again. "You can't be here.""I'm here," she softly reassured him. She feared he might think he was hallucinating from the agony he endured. Gently, she released his head to examine his injuries more closely.The marks on his chest radiated heat—fresh wounds that indicated the torment Julius had inflicted on him. The horrifying sounds and stench she had sensed earlier became clear. Bruises bloomed across his temple, likely another result of Julius' cru
"Julius," Jenny breathed, the name heavy on her lips like a curse. She looked at him, astonished by how easily she could comprehend the situation. Just a few months ago, this scenario would have seemed like something out of a nightmare. Now, she expected him wherever there was pain and suffering.Unconsciously, Jenny shifted to stand in front of Richard, shielding him from Julius and his guards. Her self-defense skills hadn't improved since her last bout, but standing in front of Richard felt like the right thing to do."Oh, Jenny," Julius said, his elbow bent with the gun beside his head. "You're too curious for your own good. If only you could learn to leave matters be, we wouldn't be in this predicament. If you could learn to keep your legs closed, perhaps the men around you wouldn't keep getting hurt.""This is insanity, Julius! Richard and I have never done anything inappropriate, and even if we had, is this your idea of a reasonable response? Do you truly think attacking those I
The pressing reminder of his unwanted closeness was unbearable, drawing painful comparisons to past traumas in the training house. In this grim place, surrounded by gang members, the hopelessness of saving herself or Richard was overwhelming.The guards were mercilessly attacking Richard, one of them reaching for a weapon on the wall. Julius distracted her further with a painful bite on her neck, earning a gasp that pleased him as he continued his unwanted attentions. His arm held her firmly, while his other hand roamed lazily down her back, nearing her lower body with each pass.The sound of a crack split the tense air as a guard brandished a long, black whip adorned with thorn-like barbs. Panic for Richard welled up in Jenny, her heart pounding in terror.Julius's heartbeat mirrored Jenny's frenetic rhythm as he pressed against her, eliciting a stronger struggle from her. His grip only tightened, and in response to her resistance, he seized her lips, forcing them apart with practice
Light cascades over Jenny's face in undulating waves, bright flashes of red sparking behind her eyelids before fading, over and over. Her head throbs with a migraine, coaxing her into consciousness only to confront her with another, deeper pain.The first is a raw, searing ache at her core, as if a thousand tiny cuts inflame her. It's like she has been rubbed raw from her midriff down to her tailbone. Attempting to shift her weight provides no comfort; every angle feels as though a blazing weight is beneath her, scorching her skin and blistering the tender areas within.As Jenny fully awakens to this agony, the abrasions and burns from being dragged flailingly across the floor come alive, demanding attention. The shirt draped over her clings to these wounds, yet to scab over or begin healing.The light above continues to flicker, harshly bursting into her vision and vanishing in a rhythmic cycle. She wonders fleetingly if she is dying, if death is merely a seque
Jenny often wondered if Julius's mother held him as a baby, sensing the future where he'd drain the life from others as if it were his right. Did his father train him to fight and shoot, knowingly equipping him with skills that would ultimately turn against Jenny? And as for Jessica, did she become cold and detached because Julius had already sapped the spirit from her?When Julius was finished, he collapsed onto the bed beside Jenny, breathless. Her eyes hadn't opened since she regained consciousness in the car, so she flinched when he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He untied the gag, painfully pulling out a chunk of her hair with it. Jenny lay still, unmoving as he touched her back with feigned gentleness. After what felt like an eternity, Julius pulled her pants back over her hips and draped a blanket over her. She wished for water but knew all her energy had been spent simply surviving."Goodnight, love," Julius whispered, leaving the room. Jenny longed fo
Jenny heard footsteps that were unusually soft, moving from her closet towards the bathroom. Whoever it was must think she was in there and wanted to catch her unaware. Silently, she picked up a decorative vase from the lowest shelf of her bookcase and kneeled down, using the blanket beneath her to muffle any noise.She stood quickly, ready to strike with the vase held high as the intruder approached. To her shock, it was her mother who appeared, staring at her with wide eyes and hands raised defensively. Worry coursed through Jenny as she realized the fright could be dangerous for her mother. Hastily, she lowered the vase, guilt overtaking her."I'm so sorry, Mother," she apologized, gently placing her hands on her mother's shoulders. Helping her to the desk, she offered her a glass of water. Her mother took a sip, her hands shaky, then placed the glass back."It's alright, dear," her mother said, looking up at Jenny. Jenny knelt in front of her, hands envelopi
"Jenny, call an ambulance!" Lance repeated firmly. This time, Jenny snapped into action, dialing emergency services with shaking hands. Meanwhile, Lance began CPR, carefully tilting her mother's head back and plugging her nose to administer breaths.Jenny's voice wavered as she relayed her address to the operator. Her mother was usually full of life, smiling even in the face of her father and Julius's temper. She'd always been the one person Jessica openly cared about. Dark-haired and dark-eyed like the rest of the family, her spirit had always lit up every room.But now that light seemed extinguished. Her mother's skin was too pale, her veins visible beneath it, her lips turning blue. This lifeless figure on the floor didn't resemble Jenny's vibrant, beloved mother.Lance counted compressions steadily, breathing into her mother at intervals. It felt like an eternity before the ambulance arrived, taking three more minutes to load her inside. By then, Jenny's father, Julius, and Jessic
One year later."Thank you for coming," the lawyer said, glancing down at his paperwork while adjusting his predictably dull brown suit. Alexander sat beside Jenny, comforting her with a squeeze of her hand. Both were dressed more formally than necessary for the occasion, as they had a significant event to attend afterward."I understand it's been nearly a year since the passing of Eduardo, Jessica, and Julius Swift. We appreciate your patience while we collaborated with the police and other authorities to settle the estate. We are now prepared to proceed with the distribution."Alexander offered Jenny a reassuring squeeze of her hand and exchanged a supportive glance before she turned her attention back to the lawyer, eager to hear what she stood to inherit from her parents."Eduardo Swift's will stated that his entire estate was to be passed on to his wife, Sharon. However, due to her absence during the initial sorting, the estate was set to enter the public domain. Fortunately, a r
As Alexander finally stepped into the room, he laid eyes on Jenny for the first time in days. Guilt had overwhelmed him, fearing she might not survive the attack. He was both shocked and awed by Jenny's bravery when she pushed him aside and took those bullets with such courage. Never before had he witnessed such an act of selflessness, especially from someone so close to him.Alexander replayed the day's events repeatedly, haunted by the memory of Jenny being shot three times by Jessica, who was supposed to be her sister. But then again, Alexander considered, no one in her adoptive family had truly been family to her, except perhaps her mother.He often wondered if he could have acted differently but always arrived at the same conclusion. Jenny was unpredictable—a trait he admired but which also made it difficult for him to protect her from those who wished her harm, particularly Bloody Sapphire and her adoptive family.He could never grasp their family dynamic. How could they treat h
Consciousness rushes back to Jenny like a tidal wave. It's as if she's awakened in the midst of a snowstorm, or as if her body is engulfed in flames. Every nerve in her body screams, reminding her she's alive. Alive.Once the initial flood of overwhelming sensations subsides, she begins to notice the details in the room. First, she feels a smooth, small hand in hers, then hears the rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor to her right. The scent of antiseptic fills the air, and she suddenly realizes her mouth is incredibly dry."Water?" she croaks, managing to pry her eyes open, finding Malia standing above her, her hand shaking in Jenny's."Oh my god," Malia exclaims, turning and shouting into the hallway. Jenny flinches back into the pillow, unable to catch all of what Malia says, but it results in a swarm of medical professionals entering, all looking perplexed. Jenny feels like joking about the gunshots being a surprise to her, too, but her dry mouth prevents her from speaking properly
"But—" Jenny began as Jessica lifted the gun toward her. She raised her hands in a gesture to halt Jessica. Her plan would fail miserably if Jessica shot her now, something she might actually do. Jenny glanced at Nancy and Luther, the guilt almost overwhelming. If they hadn't met her, they wouldn't be caught in this tragedy. Drawing a deep breath, she steadied herself."Let them go.""What?" Jessica said, her tears momentarily halting as unkempt hair fell across her shoulder. It was nothing like her usually impeccable style."Listen," Jenny urged, closing her eyes. "There's a safe behind that painting. It holds enough money to give you the life you dream of."Jenny had discovered the safe one day while cleaning and had hurried out to keep Alexander from knowing she saw it. She had once watched him access the safe, revealing stacks of cash and gold."If you release them," Jenny continued, sensing Jessica was listening intently. "I'll tell you the code. Alexander shared it with me in ca
Meanwhile, Jenny arrived back at the sprawling log mansion, which served as Alexander's secluded retreat for himself, his most trusted allies, his mother Nancy, and Luther. Her heart tightened with worry at the thought of innocent, defenseless Luther. It was her fault he was caught in this predicament. She needed to act quickly to save that precious boy; otherwise, nothing would ever be the same for anyone involved.She hurriedly stepped out of the car she had commandeered and sprinted along the path toward the mansion's entrance. Gazing up at the moon, she whispered a silent prayer for Luther, recalling the sparkle in his eyes and his sweet, warm smile, before stepping into whatever chaos awaited beyond those doors.A wave of dread washed over her as she entered. The mansion was littered with fallen guards. Moving quietly into the foyer, she navigated around Alexander's fallen crew, careful and respectful of the somber scene.A soft, choked sob emanated from the center of the mansion
"As soon as I'm done with work," Alexander had reassured him, wrapping Luther in a warm embrace. "I'll come right back. You and me, we'll go fishing, okay?"Luther nodded, hugged him tightly, and told him to enjoy his fishing trip. Alexander kissed his head, oblivious to the idea that someone might find Luther there. He reproached himself now for not fortifying security, knowing he had plenty of enemies. What had he said to Jenny about it?"People with a lot of enemies are usually crushed under that weight. People with a lot of enemies sometimes get set on fire."The vision of his home, his son, and his mother in flames filled him with blinding rage and anxiety. He shoved past a few allies in his haste, knowing he'd apologize later, once he knew Luther was safe. Few in the Dark Wolves, apart from Lemuel, Malia, and Dolf, even knew of his son. Rushing past Anton on a stretcher, Alexander couldn't focus on anyone other than Luther.He skidded to a halt in front of his SUV just as his ph
"Yeah," Alexander replies, moving behind the bar in search of a good bottle of whiskey. Lemuel settles onto one of the barstools. Meanwhile, their team continues rolling up bodies and taking them to the incinerator they had discovered—likely used by the Bloody Sapphire for disposing of their unwanted. It's a more discreet option than transporting truckloads of bodies to the river with dawn approaching."He must have caught wind," Alexander speculates, shaking his head as he pours their drinks. Even though the operation went as smoothly as planned, he can't shake the feeling that something is missing. He knows he won't rest until the head of this adversarial group is found and eliminated.Just then, Alexander spots a shadow moving stealthily through an upper area of the tavern he hadn't noticed before. Without a second thought, he raises his gun and fires, certain that none of their men would move with such secrecy. If they had discovered access to a concealed upper floor, they would h
The Bloody Sapphire were taken completely by surprise when Alexander and his team arrived at their location shortly after three in the morning. They had sent two men ahead to release poison gas into the tavern, with Lemuel assisting the team in fitting their sleek gas masks securely before they entered, allowing the gas time to disperse.Inside, nearly every man in the main area of the bar was found slumped over tables or crumpled on the floor. Alexander's team swiftly eliminated them with silenced bullets, avoiding any unnecessary delays. True to his promise, Alexander ensured the women were left unharmed. He noticed them collapsed over the men, some unconscious with a man's hand inappropriately placed.The women were carefully removed from the pile of bodies and moved to the side, where they were handcuffed to a radiator, in case any harbored loyalties to their group. After the situation was controlled, they planned to bring Jenny in to speak with them, hoping they would recognize h
Jenny catches a glimpse of Dolf and Julius still clashing across the room but disregards them as she lunges at her father's legs, knocking him down hard. She hears the sound of his chin hitting the ground along with a muffled curse before scrambling back on top of him. This time, she aims for his eyes, but he raises his forearms to block her fingers. A primal rage surges through her, a tidal wave of anger.As she lashes out, the memories of all he's put her through flood her mind: Julius's assault, the constant surveillance from the bodyguards, his refusal to believe her even when the truth was self-evident, blaming her for her mother's death, and punishing her by sending her to work for the Bloody Sapphire as if it were an appropriate response.Jenny rains down her fists and elbows upon him, aware that she's screaming but feeling disconnected from the sound escaping her throat. She feels like a whirlwind, a tornado, a storm poised to engulf him. She wants him to experience every ounc