The Irresistible Bundle (80 page)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Diego scowled at his phone. Carina was busy at some study group and Desirae was giving him one-word responses to all of his text messages. All he knew was that Jaxon requested, no demanded, that he head to the girls' apartment. He briskly walked down the sidewalk. He fondly smiled at Carina and Desirae's old dorm. The girls had good memories there but he felt 100-times better that they were staying at the apartment complex. Although it was co-ed it was better suited for their wants and needs.

Diego tucked his phone in the pocket of his jeans. He'd deal with Desirae after the so-called meeting. He felt like a little bitch running out at Jaxon's beckon call but if there was an update regarding the videos and pictures Diego wanted to know about it.

A whimper froze Diego in his tracks. He slowly scanned the area looking for the source of the sound.
Smack.
Diego's body tensed; his senses on high alert. Someone was being attacked. He stepped off the sidewalk away from the bright lights. He quietly stalked toward the sounds. Two forms appeared before him. One lay on the ground defenseless while the other towered over the unmoving form.

"We can play for a few minutes sweetness"
the voice said. Diego stiffened then saw red. He knew that voice. It was the same voice from the very first video. It was the voice that had started this whole mess. It was the same fucking voice that always taunted Carina and called her sweetness. She hated that word and it was all because of
him
. Diego couldn't recall the son-of-a-bitch's name but he didn't give a flying fuck. He stormed forward ready to defend whoever was on the ground.

Diego felt like he was moving through sludge. His mind moved faster than his body. He watched as the asshole stepped on the unmoving form. His hands balled into tight fists. He saw the bastard's lips moving but he couldn't make out the words anymore. All he could hear were her whimpers. He was finally close enough to recognize her battered face. Carina... It was his sister being assaulted. Diego's throat tightened at the sight. The motherfucker pulled out his dick and started pissing all over her. Within a split second Diego's anguish morphed to wrathful vengeance. He roared with fury. The paralyzing bubble that slowed his progress suddenly popped.

Diego pulled his arm back and used the momentum of his forward-moving body as he swung at the fucker that dared to touch his sister. The asshole crumpled like a little bitch but Diego didn't care. He grabbed the POS and dragged him off Carina's limp form. Diego straddled the pussy and just let go. His savage fists connected with a face, jaw, and chest. He hit anything and everything that made contact with his knuckles.

A set of arms pulled Diego away but not before he got in a few kicks to the fucker's face and ribs. He fought against the strong set of arms and stomped the stupid motherfucker one last time before being dragged away. Campus security surrounded them. Diego looked around wildly. "My sister. My sister was the one attacked. I need to see if she's okay!" He didn't give a shit if he was going to jail. He just needed to see Carina.

"I've got her" a commanding voice snapped. "Shut the fuck up and go with them. You'll see Carina in a few hours."

Diego blinked hard. What the hell? He looked toward the voice. He wasn't sure if he should be elated or mortified that the Dean had found him and Carina in this state. "I'm not leaving without her" Diego snarled. No fucking way.

"You head over to Nicholas' estate and get checked out there or you go to jail" Dean Richard's voice coldly informed him. "My men could've tasered your ass already but they're under my strict instructions to take you directly to the estate. Nicholas will be waiting for you. I'm personally taking Carina to the hospital and I'll have her transferred to the estate the moment she gets checked out."

"I need to see her" Diego's voice cracked. He needed to see Carina breathing. The last glimpse he'd had of her she'd layed motionless on the ground.

"She's alive" Dean Richard flatly stated. "The longer you argue with me the longer she remains in this state without medical assistance."

Sirens blared in the background. "Dude you need to get the fuck out of here or get arrested." The security officer yanked on Diego's arm. He led Diego toward the cruiser but ensured to walk close enough so they could catch a glance of Carina. The Dean partially blocked her body but it was enough for them to see.

Diego's knees buckled at the sight of his sister. She lay on the ground unconscious, bloody, and shredded. Two guys dragged him away as he screamed his sister's name. They tossed him in the campus cruiser just as police vehicles and an ambulance pulled into the grass. The car pulled away with Diego still screaming for his sister.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Richard jogged toward his nephew's apartment. He was beyond irritated at their blatant disregard of his time and resources. He knew who the perpetrator was and Jaxon wasn't going to be happy about it. Richard had told Jaxon for a while now that the flock of douches that followed him were nothing but garbage. Richard had been wrong. They were lower than that.

He ignored the buzzing sound of his phone. Apparently there was another emergency on campus that required his attention. He'd get to them but first he needed to make Jaxon and Carina aware of the situation. They were still trying to figure out who all was involved. The prick couldn't be doing it by himself. They just had to figure out who his accomplice was.

Richard's steps quickened at the too familiar sounds of fists pounding. He didn't have the time or patience to deal with this shit. He increased his speed as three figures came into view. One lay on the ground motionless while two appeared to be in a fist fight. This was his university. He wasn't going to tolerate any kind of bullshit.

Richard moved toward the motionless body. It was dark outside and they were in a small unlit section; prime area to prey on an unsuspecting victim and attack. Richard made a mental note to add lighting to this area. He didn't give a shit if it disturbed certain woodsy creatures or kept students up at night.

A whimper brought his attention to the injured figure. His stomach twisted in knots at the familiar raven haired beauty. He couldn't easily recognize Carina's face but he knew it was her. Richard stared in silent horror. One of her eyes was swollen shut. Her lip was busted open and she had a gash on her face that was bleeding profusely.

Richard's eyes quickly scanned over her body. She'd been assaulted. Her sweater was ripped open exposing her lacy bra. Boot prints and stark bruises marred her normally flawless skin. He leaned over checking her pulse rate. He listened to her short, labored breaths. Carina needed an ambulance now.

Richard called over campus security. He dialed 911 as he looked up. One guy lay on the ground getting pounded by another one. He squinted trying to see if he recognized either. He knew he needed to stop them but his primary concern was getting Carina help. He spoke to the dispatcher describing Carina's physical state. Campus security ran at them full speed. He pointed to the guys fighting on the ground.

"Don't use any kind of force aside from muscle" Richard instructed. He needed to see who the two individuals were. Instinct told him someone was protecting Carina. He hesitantly looked down at her legs. Her leggings were still on, shredded at the knees but still intact. He breathed in a sigh of relief; at least it appeared like Carina hadn't been sexually assaulted.

Richard slowly stood as his staff wrestled with one of the guys. The guy flailed, kicked, and fought against them. He blanched at the now familiar face. Carina only had one sibling and it was Diego. Richard took a step forward wanting to intercede but he couldn't pull himself away from Carina's unconscious form. His heart squeezed in pain at the sight of Diego's frenzied state.

"I've got her" He snapped. "Shut the fuck up and go with them. You'll see Carina in a few hours." Richard watched as Diego slowly turned around. It took Diego a few moments to register who he was but Richard was okay with that. He knew things would've been just as bad if Jaxon, Valentino, or Marco had found Carina in this state.

"I'm not leaving without her" Diego snarled. Richard watched as his men struggled to contain the enraged young man.

"You head over to Nicholas' estate and get checked out there or you go to jail" Richard firmly stated. Carina's brother was brilliant. He needed to understand the ramifications of getting caught by the police. Carina had informed Richard that Diego was Ivy League material. This could ruin everything he'd worked so hard for.

"My men could've tasered your ass already but they're under my strict instructions to take you directly to the estate. Nicholas will be waiting for you. I'm personally taking Carina to the hospital and I'll have her transferred to the estate the moment she gets checked out." Richard looked between his men as he gave instructions. Although it was the first they'd heard of it Richard knew they'd take Diego directly to Nicholas' doorsteps. His staff nodded their heads in understanding.

"I need to see her" Diego's voice cracked. Richard understood Diego's need to see his sister. But Carina was in really bad shape. He suspected that Diego had been too caught up in attacking the fucker who'd done this to her than immediately inspecting his sister. He knew that if Diego had seen Carina's actual condition that the fucker lying in the grass would be dead.

"She's alive" Richard flatly stated. He needed to keep the emotion out of his voice to get Diego the fuck out of there. They were already attracting too much attention and he wanted to protect Carina's brother. It could all go to shit if someone recognized him. "The longer you argue with me the longer she remains in this state without assistance."

That snapped Diego into submission. He allowed the security officers to take him. Richard hovered over Carina trying to shield most of her body from her brother. He couldn't afford to have Diego prolong his departure. Sirens blared in the background letting them know they were wasting precious seconds. He glared at his officers who dragged a grieving Diego away. Richard blocked out Diego's screams for his sister. His hands shook as he gently covered her exposed torso. He thanked the Gods of modern technology as he instructed his phone to call Jaxon. His bloody and trembling hands were useless to make the phone call. The phone rang two short rings. Richard stared at Carina who still hadn't opened her eyes. Her shallow breaths worried him. What if she'd punctured a lung?

"Uncle" Jaxon greeted. "Carina and Diego should've been here already. I'm sorry we're late."

"I need you to contact Valentino and Marco and instruct them to head over to Nicholas' estate immediately. Take the girls with you and meet me there. Speak to no one. Ignore the emergency vehicles outside and don't talk to people. Understand?" Richard knew he was being harsh but the second Jaxon and the girls stepped outside they'd know something was wrong. They were less than 100 feet away from the apartment complex.

Paramedics pushed Richard aside as they kneeled beside Carina. "Why does she smell like piss?" One of the paramedics asked. Richard looked down at the ground. Bile rose in his throat. He was kneeling in piss this entire time and hadn't even fucking noticed. He'd been so consumed with Carina's physical state.

"The bastard pissed all over her" The other paramedic replied in disgust. Richard looked up as campus security motioned police officers to the motionless body. He needed to see who it was.

"I'm going with her in the ambulance" he informed the paramedics. They nodded their heads as they assessed the situation. One of the paramedics pulled out a stethoscope while the other poked and prodded Carina's ribs.

"Has she been conscious at all?" One of them asked.

"No" Richard replied in dismay. He couldn't seem to pull himself away but he needed to speak to the cops.

"What's her name?" The same paramedic asked.

"Carina" Richard replied in a monotone voice. He needed to keep his shit together. He was the Dean. He was the one in charge. "I need to speak to the officers. I'll be right back." He stalked toward the small group a few feet away. Each agonizing step took him farther away from Carina. He was afraid to walk away for even a moment. He couldn't look Diego or Jaxon in the face if something happened to her while he stepped away.

Richard reluctantly jogged over. He schooled his features and informed the officers his version of what he'd seen. He completely omitted seeing Diego and his closest officers understood his silent command. No one would mention Diego. No students had seen Carina's assault or the fight. Richard looked at the young man on the ground. He visibly blanched making the officers take note. Although battered and bruised Richard was confident it was Pete; the very bastard who was at the root of all of Jaxon and Carina's problems.

Richard understood the officer's concerns. He listened as they called another ambulance. Technically Pete was a victim too. Diego had done a number on him. If Carina's face was battered, Pete's was pulverized. Richard winced at the sight of a protruding rib. The paramedics bounced between both unconscious individuals.

"Fuck" one of the guys breathed. "He was almost beaten to death."

Richard sucked in a sharp breath. Pete's garbled breaths echoed through the silence. He shuddered at the thought of not arriving in time. Imprints of Diego's knuckles across Pete's face spoke volumes; Diego had gone full force.

Richard gave the officers permission to roam the campus and ask questions. He knew they wouldn't find Diego tonight or anytime soon. He offered his assistance with the investigation including providing security footage; after he reviewed it first of course. But the officers didn't need to know that last tidbit.

"We need to go sir" One of the paramedics called out. Richard took the officer's business card before turning toward the ambulance. His gaze met with his nephew's who stood frozen outside the entrance of the apartment complex. Desirae, Sati, Andrea, and Leticia poured out of the main doors right behind him.

"Nicholas' place" Richard clearly stated. Although Jaxon couldn't hear him Richard knew his nephew could understand his message. There was no point in following them to the hospital and taking up space. Jaxon nodded while the girls screamed Carina's name. Andrea and Sati held Desirae back as she fought against their tight grip, trying to get to her best friend. Richard slipped into the ambulance trying to look everywhere else but at his devastated nephew and the shattered beauty.

"I need to make a phone call" Richard gruffly stated. He wasn't asking permission. The paramedics looked at him with disapproval but didn't contest. They'd seen he was the person in charge. They continued to attend to Carina while Richard dialed Nicholas' number.

"I've been waiting to hear from you" Nicholas barked on the other line. "I've got footage you're going to be interested in seeing. I think I have our perpetrators."

Richard swallowed the brick in his throat. This was the very reason why he'd been on campus so late into the evening. What if it had been someone else who'd found Carina and Diego? Did Pete know he was busted and that was why he'd assaulted Carina? Had Carina suspected Pete and confronted him about it? Until she woke up no one would know the answers to these questions.

"Did you hear me?" Nicholas demanded. "I thought you'd be fucking elated by the news."

Richard wanted to tell Nicholas that on any other night he would've been. By the way Nicholas was speaking it sounded like they may have footage of Pete's accomplice but none of that mattered right now. Richard stared at Carina's bloodied, black and blue face. The boot print peeked from her tattered sweater. He tightened his grip on the phone.

"Carina was attacked tonight" Richard whispered. If he spoke any louder his voice would crack. He was barely clinging on as it was. Carina was precious to so many people in his life. "Diego's on his way to you. He's a mess; take care of him. I also sent Jaxon and the girls your way. We can't have so many people at the hospital."

"Oh my God" Nicholas breathed. Richard listened to Nicholas swallow a sob. "How bad?"

"She hasn't regained consciousness since I found her. It's bad Nick."

"Have you called Valentino?" Nicholas croaked.

"Jaxon should've" Richard's eyes glazed over. "I just need you to be at the estate. I'll bring her over as soon as the doctors run initial tests. I don't know if she punctured a lung or cracked any ribs."

"Fuck" Nicholas wailed. "You know I have a medical wing." Nicholas voice rose. He yelled at someone. "Page Dr. Redmond. Ensure the medical wing's vacant and sterilized. Get the x-ray room prepared." Nicholas barked.

"Richard" Nicholas implored straightening Richard's spine. "I have a mini hospital here because of the sex club and dungeon, with several doctors on call. Dr. Redmond can be here in minutes and the wing will be completely ready for Carina's use and privacy. Don't take her to the hospital. It's your call as the University Dean. Tell them to head here instead."

Richard looked at Carina. He'd been to Nicholas' hospital wing before. It was built just like a mini facility ready to treat any medical issue that came their way. Nicholas conducted lab work, x-rays, and physicals at the onsite facility. Richard had even seen an operating room. If someone broke a bone falling off something or required stitches from playing too rough - the estate's onsite facility could take care of it. Nicholas even provided his VIP members with full medical services including dental and vision care. Nicholas' estate could provide them with privacy from the media and allow Richard the ability to watch over Carina while overseeing everything else. He had to deal with the issues of Diego, Pete, and his accomplice.

"Take us to the
Hedonism Estate
." Richard instructed. "It has full medical services. You can contact Dr. Redmond for verification."

The paramedics looked at each other before calling it in and seeing what dispatch said. After several minutes of conversation the ambulance floored it onto the private road and into the gates of the palatial estate. Staff members greeted the ambulance and guided them to a side entrance where they pulled up to private doors. The paramedics pulled Carina out of the ambulance and rolled her into a silent and sterile hallway. They looked around at the medical wing impressed with its layout and medical equipment. A nurse and Dr. Redmond greeted the paramedics. Richard tried to listen to their conversation but his eyes bounced from the crowd at the entrance of the medical wing to Carina's still unconscious form. Nicholas barked orders at security denying everyone - including Jaxon, Desirae, and the others access into the wing.