Devil's Despair Box Set: Books 1-3 (20 page)

Nodding, I do my best to ignore him as he defends her.

Dad and I are eating brunch at “Royals Diner” watching Decklan mingle quietly with the other kids in the play area. He’s not been around other children his age, and I noticed this while we were at the pet store earlier this morning. It’s Black Friday so I understand that the crowds can make anyone nervous, but he’s skeptical of everyone. I can relate that living with my mother, as I did, has taken a toll on his five-year-old sense of belonging. My mother wears people out with just her presence, let alone her daily constructive influence.

Dad’s concern doesn’t diminish at all; he’s not convinced. “You’re going to be okay taking him? If you’re not, it’s all right with me. I can take him home, and we’ll see you at dinner.”

“No. I want some more time alone with him and it’s a beautiful day. We’re only going to the park I told you about. He’s never been there.” Sensing my dad’s concern, I reiterate, “We’ll be fine.”

Dad stands, grabbing the check from my hand, and pulls out his wallet. “All right, will you call me if you need anything?”

“I will. Thank you.”

After grabbing Decklan and telling him our plans of visiting the park this afternoon, we make our way there. As soon as he sees the man standing near the black Escalade at the park’s entrance, he freezes, his face not able to hide his genuine fear.

Bending down, I hold his shoulders in my hands, feeling the tension radiate within them. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

He doesn’t say anything. It isn’t until now that I rethink letting my dad walk away. I should have just gone to the park near my parents’ house, but stubbornly I was trying to branch out and take Decklan farther from home.

Putting my hands on his cheeks, I ask for his focus. “Deck?”

He points shyly, and as I follow the direction of his hand motioning toward the man in the dark aviator glasses standing alone and staring right at us, I feel sick.

Vinnie. He’s the
darkness.

Vinnie Bartone’s malevolence seethes as he stalks toward us in the same confident stride I only recognize from my worst nightmares. Grabbing Deck and moving him behind me, I wait for Vinnie to arrive. Once he does, the sound of his voice scores that place within me I buried long ago.

“Cherry, honey, is that really you?” In a façade of friendship, Vinnie leans down toward me and kisses my cheek while reaching behind my neck and pulling my hair violently; his tall, lanky frame hides my body’s painful reaction.

In order to not scare my son, I don’t wince but can’t help the tears as they make their way down my cheek. My worst nightmare is standing in front of me, living and breathing in this moment.

With my hands still behind my back, I gently squeeze Deck’s shoulders at their sides. He’s shivering, and his body’s reaction to this unexpected horror is causing me to start to shake, as well.

Touching my cheek with one hand and running his palm the length of my neck with the other, Vinnie demands answers while I’m trying to portray a calm that I, in no way, feel. “Where has my Cherry been hiding?” Bending to my ear to hide his tone from our son, he hisses, “I’ve been waiting a long fuckin’ time for you to show your face around here again.”

Briefly finding inner strength, knowing I’ve got to protect Decklan, I answer with a question, even though I already know the answer. “What do you want?”

Stepping back, he moves me out of the way to get a clear look at his son. His face gentles as he bends his tall frame so he can look at Deck eye-to-eye, and then he speaks to him. “Hi, Decklan. Do you know who I am?”

Decklan nods; somehow, he knows his father. Bile burns its way up to my throat.

“Tell me how you know me.” It’s a demand. In response, Decklan grabs my thigh and harshly tugs me closer to him with a grip no five-year-old should ever muster.

Stuttering and looking into my leg to avoid eye contact, Decklan responds. “You… you… take pictures.”

My heart sinks, my hands sweat, my head gets light, and finally a mother’s protective instinct takes over.

Leaning down, I pick Decklan up in my arms and let him grab my neck for his own sense of safety. “Are you insane, Vinnie? You’re scaring him.”

Vinnie leans toward us again, running his hand up and down Decklan’s back. To outsiders, he’s a doting friend or father. The people that pass us on the street don’t know the monster that walks among them.

“I’m not answering your asinine question, Cherry. However, this card I’m about to give you has my contact information on it.” Handing me the card, he continues, “There’s a couple of ways this will happen. You either call me yourself, we meet and negotiate, or… I bring you to me. Do you remember how much easier it was when you and I played nicely together?”

Vinnie doesn’t play nice. Two sides of Vinnie exist, but neither can be described as nice. It’s arrogant monster or evil incarnate and although they sound the same, they’re not; not even close. “You’re a monstrous human being.”

“Even so, you’re going to do what I tell you to do.” Removing his sunglasses, his dark eyes meet mine, and I know he’s pulling out the biggest round of ammunition he’s been hiding. “Tell me, how’s your boyfriend? Ace? Isn’t that his name?”

Grabbing the card quickly to avoid falling to pieces in front of him at the mention of Ace, I turn around and walk away, barely holding myself together.

From behind me, I hear him laugh then say, “You’ll call me, Cherry.”

On the walk home, my arms are exhausted from the weight of carrying Decklan. Fear that someone will come out of the shadows and snatch him from me keeps my burning legs moving forward with quick steps. Although my body is exhausted, I’m still able to contemplate cold-blooded murder. The memories of being trapped with Vinnie flood back to me with violence. Although I’ve calmed slightly, I’m still unable to keep it together completely.

After getting back to the house, I hand my son to Dad who stands at the door, waiting to greet us. As I make my way to the bathroom, I hear my dad call for me, asking if I’m okay. I’m not, and I keep moving until I’m able to escape for a few minutes alone.

Closing the door, locking it the moment I hear the click, I race to the toilet and let all my fear escape me. Vinnie’s been watching Decklan. My worst fear for him is coming to fruition: my son is in danger. I can’t take him with me back to California - that’s kidnapping - and my parents wouldn’t let him go if I tried to take him with their blessing.

My only choice is to give in and meet with Vinnie, face to face, parent to parent, mortal to monster.

A knock comes to the door. It’s Dad. “Raegan? You all right in there?”

Faking a calm, I answer, “Yeah, sorry. I wasn’t feeling good earlier. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m good, Dad.”

Flushing the contents then pulling the phone from my pocket with one hand, I find the card he gave me with the other. With shaky hands, I make contact with the resident of Hell, the devil himself.

04:23 p.m.
When and where
?

Pacing the bathroom, I wait. I don’t have to wait long; there’s no doubt he expected my contact.

Unknown
04:25 p.m.
My driver will pick you up at your father’s house at 10. Do I need to remind you of what happens when you fuck with me? No games, Cherry.

Again, my body expels what little is left in my stomach. He doesn’t have to remind me of anything. I relive it often and in graphic detail.

04:29 p.m.
No. Will be ready.

Unknown
04:31 p.m.
Good girl. I’ve missed you. Welcome home.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Cherry

ALTHOUGH I’VE BEEN staying at my parents this visit, I have offered a sad excuse regarding my illness for the reasons I’m leaving. Now I’m left sitting on the curb and thinking about Decklan and Ace while waiting for Vinnie’s driver.

My life was coming together. Finally, I’m clean and I have Ace. Finally, I’m getting to know Decklan. I have friends in California. Sarah and Bean have become my family. Vinnie, just as he did before all those years ago, is threatening to take it all away. I have no power.

Once the black town car pulls up, the driver opens his door and steps out. He’s tall, bald, and twice the size of Vinnie. If I study him long enough, I may recognize him as the man who would once “supervise” the rougher clients I serviced as a teenager while working for Vinnie before he got me pregnant. I don’t want to stare at him long as he, alone, is enough to rattle me.

When he opens the town car’s back door, the familiar cologne ignites my senses. Turning around, I take a brief look at my parents’ house, silently begging for my dad to see what’s happening, but all the same praying for their ignorance to keep him safe.

“Cherry.”

I sit barely two feet away from the man who ruined my young life. I don’t answer his greeting, if ever there was such a declaration from him.

Whispering gently, he continues to goad me. “Cherry, look at me.”

Tears of terror are streaming down my face, and my breath is ragged as I attempt to maintain composure. It’s useless. I’m defenseless against him. Turning my head, I’m met with the punch I didn’t see but had expected. My vision turns black and red as I grab my cheek and try to regroup.

“That’s for taking my son.” Pulling my hair, I feel the blood drip from my face, caused by the cut he’s put below my eye. “This is for leaving me to live without you.” Vinnie’s tongue assaults my mouth, exploring in vain. It’s an acquainted invasion and one I can’t fight.

Ripping his hands from my hair while pushing me forward, my face hits the passenger front seat headrest with force. My nose and cheek are bleeding in equal measure, and I’ve only been in his presence for two minutes.

The car starts and as it does, my thoughts of Ace disappear. I’m back with Vinnie, and I fear this is my life once again.

* * *

“Make yourself comfortable. We’ve got a lot to discuss.”

Moving from the door of his office at his nightclub, I look around.
Expensive
. Everything in here far exceeds any amount of money I could come up with to buy him away from Decklan and me for good.

As Vinnie sits at his desk, he runs his long fingers over a sharp-bladed letter opener. He’s eyeing the edge, a frequented scare tactic he’s used in the past to keep me in my place. It’s effective. I’m frozen to the chair and can no longer feel my legs.

Looking up, his eyes dart to mine, and he starts. “Where have you been?”

I don’t answer. No matter what response I offer, the explanation won’t be enough.

Slamming the metal letter opener on his desk, he repeats the question, this time offering additional malice in his tone. “Where the fuck have you been? I know my son never left, but where did his mother run off to?”

I offer partial truth. “Ohio.”

Laughing with evil present, he asks, “Ohio? People really run
toward
Ohio, Cherry?”

I answer, attempting to avoid further violent interrogation. “Yes.”

“Peril.”

My stomach sinks again. He knows about the Lights of Peril MC, where once I was able to find refuge from this life.

“Yes.”

Giving me further information, his words shock me. “They didn’t protect you.”

Cautiously, I try to defend the life I left behind. “I didn’t ask them for protection.”

“It seems you should have, maybe? I had heard, all vicious rumor of course, that you were abused under their care. Am I right?”

“Yes.”

His smile penetrates as he says the words that will indisputably chain me to him. “Welcome home, Cherry.”

“Vinnie…”

Standing, he drops the letter opener; its bounce echoes off the wood and the sound penetrates the small room. He makes his way to my side of the desk and looking down, he stands above me.

Wiping the tears and blood that have dried to my face, he shakes his head with disgust. “So much older now. You’ve changed. You’re no longer the beautiful young girl I had. Life without me has beaten you. If Warren Cash and Greyson Meyer were alive right now, I’d kill them myself for touching what’s mine.”

His possession knows no bounds; he’s insane. I dare ask, “What happens now?”

“You’re mine. That’s what happens now.”

“I won’t survive this again.” I say the statement to myself, he just happens to hear it.

He’s assured in his decision to keep me. “You will and you’ll do it for Decklan. I’m offering you a life with him, Cherry.”

“What?”

“Your life, for his. Your life with him hangs in my hands, does it not?”

“Vinnie, I don’t understand.”

“You never were a smart girl, pretty, but not smart. Let me explain.” Motioning to the guard that stands at the door, he offers me a drink. “Get us some water, will you, Dominic?” He looks down at me again, smirking with evil, and continues his request. “Also, some ice. Her face looks as though someone has struck her.”

I’m about to be sick, and Vinnie must sense this. Quickly, I fold my body in half and Vinnie throws the trashcan at me before I erupt all over his perfectly-shaded office carpet.

Once I finish, he takes the trashcan from my hands and sets it on the floor near my feet. “You’re going back to California. You’re going back there to say goodbye.” Sitting on the edge of his desk in front of me, his feet crossed at the ankles, he continues to tell me my life’s new plan.

Floating his hand through the air as if what he’s explaining is boring and insignificant, he tells me, “Tell Ace you’ve decided to stay with Decklan. Tell your parents you and I reconciled and you’re moving in with me.”

God, no. He’s got me.

“What if they don’t believe me?”

Leaning down, bracing his hands at my sides, I lean away from him as much as I can until my back hits the chair. His venom pours onto me with every word. He shakes the chair with his power, rattling my heartbeat with it. Through his clenched jaw, his words spew with anger and resentment. “Make them believe you, Cherry. I’m giving you a chance to spend the rest of your life with your son.”

“What will you do… to me?”

Standing again, looking down, he smiles. “You’re too old. I’ve no use for you the way I did before. Your body is scarred and damaged; no man would pay for you. You’ll stay here, with me. You’ll work the club, serving drinks and tending to the bar. It’s the lowest position I have, making it perfect for you.”