Page 27 of Before the Fall
Kaia nods like she knows what I mean. “You know, Ryker and I got together in what most people would call an untraditional way. I’m sure Jaxon has told you all about it, but I wasn’t sure we had a future together either. Now we have our son and a life we’re building here. It’s not always easy. I had to come to terms with what he does, but I love him, so if that means I have to deal with things I might not like, that’s life. That’s what being in love is about, right?”
Even though I’m not sure I want to admit how Jaxon and I met, I say, “He held me hostage for a week when we met because he was doing a favor for one of his cousins I dated a while back. Let’s just say we didn’t have the best start to a life together.”
She gently pats my foot before saying, “Same, although Ryker kept me captive for much longer than a week.”
My mouth drops open in shock. “Is it a family thing? Is this how the Varens men meet women?”
She thinks about that for a moment before throwing her head back and laughing. “I think so. Cason, the other man you just met, got together with his girlfriend Lily the same way. They have a little boy now and are having another child in a couple months. So, I guess maybe it is a family thing. Not exactly the type of story you can tell friends and family, though, is it?”
I shake my head as I remember not telling a soul about how Jaxon and I met. “They wouldn’t understand.”
“No, they wouldn’t. It sounds insane to say you fell for a man who did such terrible things. Yet, I can tell you from firsthand experience that I fell madly in love with Ryker. Same for Lily. Maybe the circumstances of your relationship aren’t for everyone, but it can work. Don’t count you two out yet. I believe you and Jaxon are going to be together again, and if you believe you belong together, then you’ll make it happen.”
The way she talks about things makes me think we’re going to make it out of this current nightmare and be together. I’d always thought that Jaxon’s job would be a barrier to a happily ever after, but maybe if Kaia and Ryker can do it, then we can too.
Assuming he’s still alive.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Jaxon
The rope around my wrists burns every time I try to move my hands, and the rag in my mouth to keep me from talking is about to make me puke. The asshole who pulled me from my car and left Tia for dead paces back and forth in front of me like he thinks I’m about to jump up from the chair I’m tied to and try to put up a fight.
I’m bound here, shithead. The only thing I’m doing until someone fucking unties me is plotting out your goddamned death with exquisite detail.
On top of the fact that I’m completely immobilized is the other fact that the motherfucker is huge. He’s got to be twice my size. What does he think I’m going to do even if my hands aren’t tied together?
Without a gun, I’d be like a kid spitting at a damn mountain. I’m ballsy, but that would be downright stupid.
I don’t know how long I’ve been here, but I’m guessing a few hours. That Victor hasn’t come to see me yet means he’s either playing one of his silly mind games or doesn’t know what to do now that he has me.
Since my uncle isn’t a great thinker, I’m torn between which it could be. He does like to try to fuck with people’s heads, but that kind of shit only works on people who are afraid of him.
I’m not. Sure, he’ll fuck me up pretty bad, but I don’t see him killing me. He admires my skills too much, and offing family members is not something he likes to do.
In Ryker, I think that’s a character flaw and shows weakness. In Victor, I applaud it since I think it’s one of the few reasons I’ll be able to walk out of here alive.
Well, walk might be too optimistic a description of how I’ll be getting out of here, but I’m not thinking he’s going to kill me. Just a little torture between uncle and nephew.
For the third time in the past fifteen minutes or so, I try to talk, but all that comes out is muffled gibberish because of the goddamned rag this asshole stuffed into my mouth. I’ve tried to spit it out, but the bastard wedged it in there so hard I’m thinking I’m going to be shitting out pieces of blue fabric for the next week.
The giant in charge of watching over me stops his pacing directly in front of where I’m sitting and glares down at me. “Stop making noise or I’ll give you something to cry about.”
Although he can’t understand me, I say, “Smooth. Generally, somebody has to be crying to make another person threaten to give them something to cry about, but you do you, shithead.”
I may have been mistaken when I thought he couldn’t understand me because when I finish talking, he cocks his arm back and slams his fist into my left cheek so fucking hard I see stars. Mental note to self. Don’t call this asshole names out loud unless I’m ready to get another beat down like the one he gave me when we first got here.
Good to know he can understand something, though.
Armed with that little nugget of knowledge, I say through the gag, “Is my uncle planning on just having me sit here and be bored to death? Is that how this is going to work?”
The stupid guy Victor employs to watch over me at the moment frowns and shakes his head before walking away. Maybe he only understands when people insult him. Odd talent, but I’m sure there are stranger things people can say are their claim to fame.
Well, I guess I’m going to have to take another one on the chin to get something to happen here. Bracing myself for this guy’s fist to connect with my face once more, I say, “Hey, shithead! I asked you if my uncle was planning to just wait until I get bored to death here.”
Right on cue, the guy spins around and practically throws daggers at me as he marches back to where I’m waiting. I try to let my facial muscles go as slack as possible to avoid helping him to break my jaw, but this time he goes for my stomach, landing a punch so fucking hard he knocks the wind out of me.
So much for being creative in trying to get some answers here.