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TWENTY-NINE.
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Little Bird THIRTY.
“ACE!”I jolt awake, covered in sweat, feeling like the weight of the world is pressing down on my shoulders, causing the air in the room to thin out; making it difficult for me to catch my next breath.Sitting upright in the bed, I close my eyes as I try to focus on my breathing and not the miserable life I’ve been handed. Rubbing my palm over my aching chest, I slowly swing my legs over the edge of the bed and pull myself up.The sound of the SUV rolling and the gunshot that claimed Volkovs’ life still rings loudly in my ears. Every time I close my eyes, the images of Volkov, Alana and the other henchmen lost in the crash burn my eyes and when I open them… The images begin to fade, but they don’t fade quickly enough to allow me to forget about them.My throat still feels raw and after the friendly chat I had with Ele and Theodore, I purposefully slept through dinner, doing my best to avoid them both. It’s like, no matter where I go, I always find myself trapped in someone else's
Little Bird THIRTY-ONE.
“If you can, I’d like you to sit up straight and take a deep breath for me.” Doctor Raymond says softly, pressing the cold stethoscope between my shoulder blades.Straightening my posture as I sit on the edge of the bed, I draw in a deep breath, pausing for a split second when a sharp pain spreads across my chest.“Good, now exhale.”I exhale, sighing with relief, completing the task without any pain.“Okay, that’s very good, Ms. Montgomery. One more time, please.” Doctor Raymond requests as he moves to stand in front of me, pressing the stethoscope against my chest.Silently, I obey, even though I think this is a waste of time and I wish Ele would have listened to me when I told her that I was fine and didn’t need a doctor to check me over. The fewer people I am around, the better.“Superb. I can hear you wincing when asked to inhale. I can’t hear any fluid in your lungs, which is good, but I do believe they are bruised from the force of impact and wearing your seatbelt.” Doctor Raym
Little Bird THIRTY-TWO.
With my father forcefully fastening the belt around my mouth, imprisoning the apple covered in hay, I fiercely try to wrench it free.My desperate pleas for help are stifled, while my weary body is overwhelmed by excruciating pain, rendering me unable to mount a formidable resistance.The surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins dissipates, leaving me vulnerable as my father forcefully tightens the belt. My head is abruptly jerked backwards, ensnared in his unyielding gaze.“I should have done this a long time ago. I should have punished you every time you showed us an inkling of defiance. But your mother was too afraid that if they found you, beaten and broken, we would be executed.” My father snarls with his top lip curling upward. “Your mother is weak and if she didn’t come from old money, I would have gotten rid of her many years ago. She couldn’t birth me a son and her twat is as loose as her fucking lips.”Tears burn my eyes, leaving a trail of heartache down my cheeks as
Little Bird THIRTY-THREE.
ACE.The SUV comes to a standstill at the top of Peak Mountain.Stepping out of the vehicle, I take one final drag of my cigarette and then toss it onto the ground, tilting my head back. Exhaling through my nostrils, I take a minute to admire the cloudless sky and allow the warmth of the sun to caress my face.It’s the only sensation that doesn’t seem to piss me off and while I can, I’m going to indulge in it every chance I get until my Little Bird is returned and back safely in my arms.Clenching my jaw, I lower my head, straightening my suit jacket, and buttoning it up as I walk towards Holden and Bryce who remain standing next to Bryce’s 1990 Corvette.As my gaze wanders over the Corvette with the light of the sun casting off it, my heart skips a beat. Such a fucking beauty she is, and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tried to buy it off him.“One day you will be mine…” I quietly murmur to myself as a mischievous smirk delicately graces my face.As I reach Holden and Bryce,
Little Bird THIRTY-FOUR.
As Ele carefully removes the wet towel from my back, I hiss when a burning sensation feverishly licks my wounds. “You are going to have some pretty scars when they heal,” Ele whispers, inspecting my back as she tosses the towel on the ground. “Don’t be afraid to show them off, Val. Wear them with pride and show the world that you survived today’s assault.” Slightly turning my neck to look at her, “is that what you do?” I whisper with my eyes trailing over her bare arms. She snorts, nodding her head, “there was a point in my life where I used to hide my scars. They made me feel dirty, reminding me of the abuse and trauma that comes with them. Now, when I think about it, I kick myself for wasting so much time hiding my battle scars like they were a dirty secret. I’m seriously contemplating getting them tattooed and flaunting them every chance I get.” As she speaks her truth, her eyes sparkle with determination and survival instinct, forcing me to believe everything she says in awe.
Little Bird THIRTY-FIVE.
“Now, tell me, Little Bird. I can see the pain in your eyes, haunting your soul and squeezing the life out of you. Who hurt you?” Aces’ eyes narrow into thin slits as his voice comes out strained. "Please, put me down." Gently lowering me, my front slides down his body until the soles of my bare feet touch the marble floor. His eyes grow wide as they travel over my body, and he realises I’m half naked with Theos’ jacket covering me. “Shield us!” His voice reverberates off the glass windows. As the words leave his lips, his henchmen standing behind him quickly enter the mansion, forming a circle around us with their backs facing us. Standing side by side, they simultaneously flip open their suit jackets to cover any open spots their bodies fail to conceal. Ace begins to peel his suit jacket off, followed by his tie and long sleeve dress shirt, “remove his fucking jacket from your body, Little Bird.” He demands possessively with his hands shaking with fury. Removing Theos' jac
Little Bird THIRTY-SIX.
As we enter Theos’ room, my breath leaves my lungs in one long sigh followed by an abrupt snort as my gaze drinks in my surroundings.“What’s so funny, Little Bird?” Ace asks me as he closes the door behind us and locks it.The faint click of the bolt sliding into place dances between us as I step further into the room. “The room is plain…” I state with little hesitation as I continue to look around it. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but I can guarantee you, it wasn’t this. I thought it would have been more… Lavish, like the architecture of the mansion.”Theo has all this room, and it’s almost empty; like the look in his eyes when he found out who I truly am.“Are you telling me that this is the first time you have been in Theodores’ room?” Ace asks me and I can sense the uneasiness with a large dose of doubt contaminating his words.Turning around, I scoff, meeting the only pair of green eyes that have managed to haunt me when I’m awake and asleep. The only pair of eyes that f
Little Bird THIRTY-SEVEN.
ACE. My phone starts to vibrate in my pocket, as I pull it out, I allow my gaze to linger over Amelias’ face, wishing I could take away her pain. I spot the red marks around her neck like someone has dared to put their hands on her and tried to choke the fucking life out of her. Desperately, I want to ask her who it was and question her further as to why she ran away. But I will leave that for another time, concentrating on trying to make life less unbearable and preparing her for the truth that is going to hit like a freight truck. “What is it?” I mutter into the mouthpiece as I answer the call. “Eleni Drakos is standing outside the room demanding to speak with Ms. Black,” Holden replies with a snarl riding his words. “I’ll be there in a minute.” Ending the call, I run my fingers through my hair while exhaling heavily. “Is everything okay?” Amelia asks with a frown on her face. Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I cup the sides of her face and place a gentle kiss on her
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