A Cruel Confession, page 1
A CRUEL CONFESSION
OBSESSION DUET BOOK TWO
BY VI CARTER
Other Books by VI CARTER
A BROKEN HEART SERIES
SAVING GRACE
CLAIMING AMBER
TAKING LAURA
WILD IRISH SERIES
WILD IRISH (prequel)
VICIOUS #1
RUTHLESS #2
FEARLESS #3
MERCILESS #4
HEARTLESS #5
THE BOYNE CLUB
DARK #1
DARKER #2
DARKEST #3
PITCHBLACK #4
THE OBSESSION DUET
A DEADLY OBSESSION #1
A CRUEL CONFESSION #2
THE CELLS OF KALASHOV
THE COLLECTOR #1
THE HANDLER #2
THE YOUNG IRISH REBELS
MAFIA PRINCE #1
MAFIA KING #2
MAFIA GAMES #3
MAFIA BOSS #4
CHAPTER ONE
-LUCAS
Frustration claws at me as I take down another book. The writing is more faded this time. More rules about the members or disqualifying a member of the elite on moral grounds. I close the book on that. They had no morals.
My heritage, my life, surrounds me and the more I learn, the worse it gets. I had never cared for rules; they didn’t apply to me most of the time. All I ever wanted to do was bury my pain of losing my mother and make my father proud. Two things I failed at. I push out the chair and stand. I was searching for a needle in a haystack. I wasn’t even sure what I was looking for. I run my hand across my face. My gaze darts to the red leather notepad. Someone had left it there for me to find. I just wish whoever did, would just tell me what they wanted me to know.
That voice of doubt in the back of my head reminds me, it could be my father, sending me on a goose chase. I leave the room.
My father is ordering the staff around as they move some of the furniture.
“Finally catching up on studying?” My father asks without looking at me.
Had he left the book there?
“It’s about time.” He faces me. “The meeting will be in thirty minutes. Be here.”
I wanted to go and see Ella, but I nod. “I’ll be there.”
“You know I only want the best for you, son.” My stomach twists. A part of me wants to make this right with him. I’ve always seeked out his praise.
“Every choice I make is never easy. One day you will understand.” Why didn’t I believe him? I hope I never understand, because if I do, I will be like him.
I leave and he doesn’t stop me. I feel bare as if I am going to war with only two small weapons and I’m not even sure how powerful they are. One, is I could have the committee informed about Henry’s sodomy, secondly, bring up the rule about my father re-marrying. If we could get a nice woman, she wouldn’t pass these laws. But I didn’t have that kind of time. Each second is a second too long to have Ella stuck in a cell.
George is waiting for me when I step into the kitchen. My paranoia takes a leap into the vicinity that suggests George is tracking me.
“Master Lucas.” He greets me with an incline of his head.
“Is that done?” I ask.
He nods.
“I need you to do something else for me.”
“Anything.” His eager words have me smiling, he might not be so eager in a minute when he hears my request.
“I need the key to the cell.”
His eyes widen and there is a moment of hesitation. I want to tell him it’s fine. It’s too dangerous, but I think of Ella. If George was seen in my father’s study, it wouldn’t be questioned - my appearance would.
“I’ll try, Master Lucas.”
My heart pounds and I hate this. “I need you to get it.” I hope he can hear the pleading in my voice.
He bobs his head and leaves.
***
I’m of course a minute late to the meeting. I’m waiting for my father to call me out but when he smiles at my arrival, my steps slow.
“Lucas,” Aine sings warmly and I take my seat beside Bernard and Cathal.
“We have two matters to discuss.” My father starts.
The smugness on his face boils my blood.
“We need to vote in a new member.”
“Have you anyone in mind, Master Andrew?” Brendan’s words are measured like he has heard rumors of who might be joining their elite circle.
“I do.” My father glances at each of us. “Matthew Crowley.”
I didn’t know him.
Aine smiles at me. “Isn’t that Lucas’s future wife’s father, Master Andrew?”
“Yes. He will be a very fitting member. But I am willing to hear everyone’s suggestions.” My father turns to me. “We shall start with you Lucas. Who would you like to nominate?”
I didn’t care. “I personally think a female would be nice, since this circle is dominated by males.” I glance at Aine and her agreement with me shines in her eyes. Anything that will hurt my father will drive me right now. He doesn’t look pleased and that makes me happy.
“Aine?” My father asks, but he already knows.
“I agree with Lucas, Master Andrew.”
“Brendan?”
“Matthew Crowley has my vote.” My father smiles at Brendan, but that doesn’t surprise me at all. Cathal holds the final vote in theory, but my father will have the final say. He’s also not stupid and understands the importance of keeping everyone happy. So my vote won’t change things, but going against him will slow the process down a bit, as he tries to convince everyone that his way is the correct way.
“Cathal?”
Cathal glances at Aine before looking to my father. “I think I would like to hear who Aine and Lucas nominate before I make my decision.” It’s a small victory.
My father frowns. “We shall move on to our second matter.” He shifts in his chair with Irritation. “One of the ladies who was competing for my son's hand in marriage, has broken one of the rules.”
I hold my breath as I stare at my father. I sense the others glancing at me.
“Oh my!” I peek at Aine as her hand flutters to her chest.
“She was to marry Henry.”
Aine’s mouth forms an O, her eyebrows rise into her hairline. No one asks questions, they all wait for my father to painfully deliver what happened. My heart pounds and I hold still.
“She wasn’t a virgin.”
“Oh, no.” Aine’s words have me wanting to take her hand off her chest and snap her fingers. Hypocrites all of them. Their sins stained far deeper than most people. I couldn’t imagine Aine a virgin when she got married, or any of them for that matter.
I hate the judgment being passed on Ella. So far my father hadn’t mentioned her name. But no doubt he would.
“Poor Henry.” Aine’s voice fills with pity.
I clench my jaw.
“He was devastated.” My father lies so easily.
My heart pounds heavier in my chest as my father exhales loudly, like the next sentence is taking a lot from him. “She must be punished.”
“I don’t think the chair should be used, Master Andrew.”
My chest aches as I picture Ella strapped to the chair.
“You are correct Aine, I do agree. It won’t be. The rule once was that she should be hanged.” My father lets that linger, waits for objections, but no one says anything.
I glance at them all. They couldn’t possibly pass that.
“But, I think we are beyond that as educated people.” There is a lot of head nodding in agreement but his words don’t settle me. He has a glare in his eyes that makes me nervous. He’s excited.
“Her crime is very serious, so I don’t want to undermine our authority either. If we don’t punish her, it will send out the wrong kind of message.”
“What do you suggest we do, Master Andrew?” Brendan speaks up and I want to leave the room, I want to go and get Ella and leave this place.
“I think she should be branded publicly. It will give us an opportunity to call the community together and also show everyone that it might be the twenty-first century, but we still follow rules.”
I’d never heard of the whole community being called together. My father wanted to flex his powers and with Ella he could showcase how strong he was.
“I agree.” Brendan speaks up.
“I agree.” I am surprised at how quickly Cathal agrees, but Ella is faceless. A rule breaker. Not a young girl who gave me her heart.
“What about the boy who took her virginity, what will happen to him?” I ask.
My father flashes me a warning.
“It is a fitting question, Master Andrew.” Aine gives me her backing.
My father replies, “My mother used to say to us, ‘if there were no dirty women in the world, there would be no dirty men’.”
In other words, his word is final and only Ella will be punished.
***
My father keeps us there talking about the upcoming branding, about rallying the people together. He delegates all the work over to the rest and his eyes are alive.
I’m holding still, it’s hard to bide my time but once George gets me the key, I’m taking Ella away from here. I can’t have her subjected to any more of this madness.
Once the meeting ends, I only grab what’s necessary. My phone and my wallet. Everything else we can buy as we need them. I ha
d no idea where to go, but I couldn’t stay here any longer.
I open the filing cabinet and place the box that holds Declan’s finger in the drawer. It might help down the road. I had no idea. I lock the cabinet and pocket the key as the door opens.
George’s brows knit together as he pulls the cuff of his shirt before looking up at me.
“What’s wrong?” I can sense his hesitation.
“The key isn’t there.”
“Maybe he moved it?” I would have to use something else to force the door open.
George still appears troubled. “Lucas, it was there. I saw it in the drawer earlier, when your father opened it, while I was serving him tea.”
“Maybe he moved it.” I repeat.
“No. I don’t think so.”
I take a step towards George. “Say what you’re thinking.”
“I think someone else took it.”
I move past George. There was no one else who would take it. Henry? But it didn’t make sense, he didn’t like her. The moment I open the door, I’m aware of the darkness below me. My hand reaches for the switch and I flick it up, no lights come on.
“I’ll check the switchboard.” George speaks directly behind me as I make my way down the steps. I don’t know how many more I need to take before I reach the floor but Ella’s scream has me moving faster, the steps disappear under my feet. I grip the banister as I land on the ground. I’m running towards her scream. Her cell door is wide open. Fear clutches me. Her screams are cut off abruptly.
The lights flash on. Henry’s hands are covering her mouth, cutting off her screams. Darkness blocks out everything as I rip him from Ella.
His face pales as I spin him around, his mouth opens to speak and I don’t miss a beat as I slam him against the wall. My fist connects with his chin sending his head flying back, blood gushes as I smash my fist into his nose. He slumps, but I drag him back up and hit him repeatedly in the face.
“Lucas.” George’s voice rings in my ears.
I release Henry, his body hits the floor hard but I can’t look away. I want to pick him back up and keep going.
“Lucas, the car is ready.”
I glance at George before reaching out to Ella. She flinches as I reach her, I pause. I hate seeing the fear in her eyes. I hold out my hand and she glances at it, her eyes still wide with fear. Her small hand fits snuggly in mine and I’m careful when I close my fingers around hers to be gentle.
“We’re leaving.” My words have her nodding and she easily comes with me as I leave Henry bleeding on the floor. Once we are out, I close the door and lock it behind us.
George moves up the stairs to make sure we are clear. Once he waves us on, we move to the garages. Ella trembles and I want to stop and assess her. Once we get out of here, I promise myself that I can check every inch of her.
The car is running when we enter the garage. I open the door to let Ella climb in. She’s numb as she ducks her head down and I release her hand.
“Thank you, George.” I wasn’t sure when we would see him again. But I will always be grateful to him for helping us.
“Go, before he notices you’re missing.”
I don’t linger any longer as I jump into the driver side. Ella stares at George, her hand plastered against the glass. I have no idea what’s going through her head as I pull out of the garage. My stomach twists as we pass the fountain at the front of the house. I’m waiting to be stopped as I continue down to the main gates. When they open, I race out of them and towards freedom.
CHAPTER TWO
-ELLA
The world moves past us so quickly. Trees shadow us briefly before sunlight cracks through the gaps and blinds me. As the sun sets I can’t let go of the image of George’s face. Fear had twisted the old man’s mouth. I blink and a tear falls.
“Sweetheart.” Lucas’s voice reaches me like the softest stroke, and I hunch my shoulders forward not wanting to crack under the gentleness of his voice. I want to be left in this cocoon for now. My mind refuses to accept anything else and right now I want to be gentle with myself.
Fear shoots through me like a lightning bolt.
“Go back, go back.” I grip Lucas’s arm and the car swerves.
“Ella, calm down.” His words reach my ears, but they don’t register.
“Go back, now.”
Confusion pulls heavily at his brows.
I can’t stop shaking my head. Why did I leave her behind? “We need to go back.”
The car swerves to the left and I nearly tumble into the door as Lucas stops the car abruptly.
I push myself back into a sitting position. “We need to get Hannah.” My stomach twists painfully as my mind starts to paint detailed images of her torture.
Lucas shakes his head. “We are not going back.” His words are softly spoken but determination shines in his eyes.
“Yes. We are. We have to.” I swallow bile.
“No.” Lucas turns to start the ignition.
I grip his arm. “I’m begging you.”
He looks away from me before glancing at me again. “No.” His word has a finality to it that I refuse to accept.
“Lucas, he’ll torture her.” I say my fear out loud and allow it to twirl and form above my head until it almost feels real. Panic claws at me. I wrap my arms around my waist.
“We’ll grab her and go, that’s it. I promise.” My breath is sharp and when Lucas starts up the car, I swallow the saliva in my mouth. He’s going back.
I try not to cry as a tremble enters my body. Lucas pulls back on to the road but doesn’t turn around.
“What are you doing?” I glance out through the back window as Hannah grows further away from me.
“I’m not going back,” he says through gritted teeth.
I’m staring at his side profile, his jaw is clenched and I can’t stop shaking my head.
“We can’t leave her.” Disbelief coats my words.
“I can’t risk you.” His words come out in a growl.
I grip his arm again. “Why aren’t you listening to me? It’s Hannah.” The sweet and innocent girl that will be hurt for being my friend.
“I don’t care. We aren’t going back.”
I release Lucas’s arm and stare at him. “I will never forgive you if you do this.”
He glances at me now. “You will.”
I want to scream in frustration. “Lucas, he will hurt her.” I know I’m wrestling with someone who could easily flick me off.
“Let him. As long as he isn’t hurting you, I don’t care.” The coldness in his voice has everything in me freezing.
“You’re just like your father.” The words leave my mouth, his reaction is instant. His knuckles turn white as he grips the steering wheel.
My chest tightens as I struggle for air. “I’ll go back the first chance I get.”
Lucas glares at me. Black orbs pin me to the seat. Fear skitters along my spine and my body can’t take anymore. I break eye contact and close my eyes as I torment myself with images of Hannah.
Pain surrounds me as the car shifts under us. We don’t speak and night falls until the dark skies give way to small little lights that twinkle and sparkle. I used to think if I saw the first star, I could make a wish.
The word wish fell into the same category as fairytale, non-existent almost to the point of being cruel.
Lucas moves for the first time and turns on the heater. The angry part of me reaches across and knocks it off. I’m cold, but I intend to defy him at every turn until we can go back and get Hannah.
The hollow pit in my stomach has stretched with the distance we’ve put between ourselves.
I don’t fall asleep, but I tumble in and out of awareness. It’s like dipping your toe into hot water, I keep jerking upright from the faces that haunt me.
“We will be stopping soon.” Lucas’s voice sounds tight and I refuse to look at him, but I’m grateful that we are stopping. My whole body is aching.
The lights of a motel flash up ahead. The car slows and Lucas indicates with the car’s signal while driving into the deserted parking lot. The car grows silent under us, the only noise is the hum of the engine cooling down.
