Page 11 of Malevolent Hearts
I’ve spent two years observing the boy next to me as he grew into a man. He’s extremely clever and equally as cunning. When I strike with a countermove, it needs to be when he least expects it, and not a second sooner. Besides, with how he’s making love to that bottle of whiskey, it should only be a matter of time before he passes out from overindulgence, presenting me with the perfect opportunity.
Deciding to play him at his own game, I keep my snark to myself while he drowns the demons dancing in his eyes with copious amounts of liquid sunshine. I sip from the same glass of wine, utilising the little patience I possess, and I wait. And wait. Then wait some more. Because sometimes the best hand to play is the long one, and this is a game I refuse to lose.
As expected, Cadden sloshes back tumbler after tumbler. Before long, he is fast asleep, head cupped in the palm of his hand. And although I shouldn’t, I allow my gaze to wander, knowing later I’ll curse myself for falling victim to his allure.
Even though it’s now early Sunday morning, Cadden is still partly sporting the tux from Friday night. Only now, the jacket is gone and his shirt sleeves are rolled up to his elbows. The buttons in the front are unfastened, displaying golden skin that highlights every dip and ridge along his torso. Unwillingly, my attention lingers on the light dusting of hair beneath his belly button, a tempting trail I itch to follow.
I’ve always hated how much he affects me, turning my sensible mind to mush. But I can’t help it. Cadden is an enigma. He has the body of an athlete, the face of a God, and a dark academia style that makes a woman lose her fucking marbles. Where most see the sharp edges of a king in the making, I see the brilliance of a gifted mind. Someone who loses himself in the timeless art of knowledge, books, and poetry. As much as I like to hide behind the façade of hate, deep down I know I fell for the man behind the mask with an ease like water falling from a thundercloud.
Even now, when I should be out of my mind with anger, I can’t seem to contain the emotions he invokes in me. But that’s the thing with love and hate, neither claim to be logical. I have no idea why he feels the need to keep me locked up in a tower. He calls himself my saviour, but if that were true, why not tell me who he’s protecting me from? Truth is, I gave my heart to a liar. Cadden Connelly is a master manipulator, but I won’t become his puppet on a string.
Beyond the glass ceiling, the sky lightens from deathly midnight blue to shades of indigo and fuchsia, and the early morning rays bleed colour into the sky with the arrival of the rising sun. Exhaustion weighs my eyelids down, but if I want to make a break for it, now is my chance.
Drawing my gaze away from my captor, I peer around the room, searching for anything that will aid me in my escape. Then, trying to remain as quiet as I can, I use my free hand to undo the last tie stapling me to the bed. After a few minutes, I finally get my coffin-shaped nails between the crevice of the ropes and loosen the knot. A hiss escapes past my clenched teeth as I shimmy my wrist through the loop. As my feet greet the floor, my eyes land on my clutch bag, discarded next to my dress and shoes. I peer down at my body and roll my eyes at the old, tattered tee that barely covers my vagina. I don’t know when or how I got into this T-shirt, but I swear when Cadden decided to cover me with his scent, he chose this one on purpose.
The worn logo of a skeleton couple printed on the front takes me back in time, the faded slogan mocking me. Tell me every terrible thing you ever did, and let me love you anyway.
Instantly, I’m transported back to the summer it all began. I didn’t fall for Cadden all at once, but the night I had my first stumble, this was the tee he was wearing. I blamed the alcohol. He blamed the weed. If I were to be honest, the true culprit was possessive jealousy, but I digress.
Shaking that night from my memory, I tiptoe across the floor towards the hatch that leads down to the library, one step closer to my escape. En route, I swipe up my belongings, silently laughing at Cadden for being stupid enough to leave them lying around. A part of me wishes he were awake so I could give him a kick in the bollocks for holding me against my will. But I’m not an idiot. I’m completely unprepared for the fight that would no doubt take place. Not that I wouldn’t give better than I got, but without my weapons, he’d have the upper hand.
It takes me less than a minute to descend the ladder, and I waste no time, heading straight towards the door that will lead me to the spiral staircase and freedom. Shifting my belongings to my left, I reach for the knob with my free hand and then twist, but I’m met with resistance. Motherfucker locked it.
I tug a few more times, hoping it miraculously opens. Okay, don’t panic. You’ve unlocked this door a million times with the key, all I need is a…
I drop to my hunkers and place my dress and shoes on the floor between my feet. Clicking open the front clasp of my clutch, I pray there is a bobby pin inside. Surprise hitches my lungs when I find my phone. Within seconds, I have it in my hand and my screen lights up, activated by my facial recognition. There are a million notifications, but I bypass them all and open up my recent call list. Ignoring the ones I’ve missed in the past day and a half, I click on my brother’s name only to be sent straight to voicemail. Fuck.
A notification pings onto the screen reminding me of my low battery, and I curse beneath my breath. Deciding to exhaust all options at once, I open a new WhatsApp group chat, adding all my most near and dear contacts. Once I’ve selected Mam, Liam, Saoirse, Aodhán, and Rohan into the same thread, I type out a brief message and send.
Beibhinn
Cadden has me locked in Dingle lighthouse.
Bring a shovel.
. . .
Three dots dance along the screen, but before I can see the response, the phone goes black.
With the knowledge someone saw my text and hopefully will come help me bust out of here, I continue my pursuit and swipe through my bag for something I can use to unlock the door. Thankfully, I find some hairpins. Taking two out, I pop one between my lips while I bend the last centimetre of the first pin the way Liam had taught me after I’d threatened to tell Daddy his favourite child had broken into his office.
Swiping that particular memory away, I take the second pin and flatten it out to make one straight lock pick. Once I have it the way I want it, I slide the bent end into the top half of the keyhole, above the first bobby-pin, and start to feel out the lock pins.
I’m so caught up in getting the fuck out of Dodge, I don’t hear Cadden descending the ladder until he clears his throat, making me still my movements and peer over my shoulder. Leaning against the bookshelf, arms folded across his broad chest, he appears unfazed by my breakout attempt. He scrapes his bottom lip through his teeth, his dual-tone eyes darkening to a blackened stare. His brow hitches while the edge of his lips curl with amusement. Instantly, I know I’m fucked.
“Going somewhere, Pretty Poison?”
Seven
Cadden
The Past
An unwanted visitor becomes this king’s prisoner.
But it isn’t long before she’s set free.
Set alight her gilded cage, then used his kingdom as her stage.