Ace: His Angel (Phoenix Riders MC 1)

46: Choices

*** Trigger warning: Sexual assault***

Kaitlyn POV

Time didn't matter. Hours, days, weeks, it was irrelevant. All I know is that Kyle and Sam hadn't found me, and I don't think they ever will.

We had an airtight perimeter, so I wouldn't be in the position, yet here I am. I would say things can't get worse, but I know better, and I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I woke up tied to a wooden chair in an empty, cold basement. My ass went numb hours ago, and pain radiated throughout the rest of my body. The beating Azzaro's men gave me left me with a swollen, split lip and dislocated shoulder.

In front of me sat a small table and chair, and to me left an unconscious Noah hung by his arms.

Well, that's awesome...he's fucking useless. Again.

The door opened to my right, and Azzaro and a guard came in. He smiled and harshly gripped my face and sneered, "Where is that big, bad brother of yours, Kaitlyn? Hmm?"

I didn't answer him, and his fist connected with my face, probably reopening my wound. "I don't know," I whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear, tears silently falling. His words were getting to me, and I believed him.

Water being thrown on Noah caught my attention, waking him with a jolt and cry. Between Ace and the guard, Noah's body had practically given out, and I didn't know how to feel.

"Well, since you are here together, I thought we could figure a few things out. Noah, you lied to Kaitlyn, something you don't do that in relationships. So why do it?" Azarro's boomed.

I didn't look at Noah, trying not to care what he had to say. However, the last few months have taken a toll on me, and it's beginning to show. The guard forced me to look at Noah, and it took everything in me to not break.

"I...I didn't..."

Noah struggled to talk, and honestly, I didn't want to hear what he had to say. He lied. Whatever he wants to say doesn't matter.

"You broke her trust, and now you need to repair it. It's time to be honest with one another and comfortable again. Physically," Azzaro smirked, and I nearly passed out.

No. No. No. This cannot be happening.

Noah thrashed around, yelling he would rather die than touch me again. So would I. But Azzaro knew we would take beatings no matter what, so he's playing a new game. A game I never thought he would, and I don't know if I'll make it out alive.

"However," Azzaro boomed, and Noah stopped. "There is another option." He signaled, and a guard brought in Chloe.

"Chloe and I can take your place instead. The choice is yours." Azzaro darkly stated, pulling Chloe into him, and I panicked.

This is it. This is my breaking point. Noah's choices before this affected him and me, but now they affect his sister. Azzaro is forcing an impossible choice on us, and that word is getting on my fucking nerves. Choice. Either people don't understand its meaning, or the definition needs to be changed.

I looked at Noah, tears streaming down his face. "Noah..." I croaked out, but he continued to stare at his sister.

"Noah!" I cried louder. His eyes met mine, begging me to do something. He could care less about himself, but Chloe was his family and he would do anything for her.

Azzaro moved to touch her again. "Don't touch her," I bit out.

"Looks like you made a choice," Azzaro said, sounding disappointed. The guards made quick work untying us and led us to an upstairs bedroom.

The room contained a bed and a bathroom, but nothing else. Azzaro stood in the doorway, hands clasped in front of him. "Let's see how long it takes you to learn your lesson," he smiled, closing the door.

I am not okay. This is beyond fucked up, and I can't do this.

*****

Hours turned into days, and the careful defense I built in my mind crumbled down. Noah and I thought we could fake our "physical therapy" by hiding under the blanket, but that resulted in them taking everything away and much worse.

A guard came storming into the room with Azzaro trailing behind, holding Chloe. He took out his gun and pointed it at her head. "You made a choice, and this is how you treat my kindness? Let's try this again, but this time we'll all be watching," he sneered.

It took everything in me to do what he asked, and after he left, I broke. I knew the longer I stayed here with Noah, living my nightmare, the further away from reality and saving I became. Noah tried to remind me who we were doing this for, but it only drove me further into resenting him. Between "therapy" and Azzaro's questioning tactics, we were at the end of our rope.

A few days after that encounter, Azzaro came into the room, causing Noah to retreat into a corner. Coward. Stepping up to me, Azzaro smiled. "It appears your brother has given up on you. Maybe it was a mistake grabbing you. But then again, I thought the enforcer, what's his name? Ace? I thought Ace would care for you. Guess I was wrong," he laughed, backing away.

"Guess that makes two of us," I whispered, more to myself than anyone, but Azzaro stopped and turned around. I saw a glint of satisfaction in his eye and knew he was succeeding in taking down my brother. However, he was taking me down too.

Days blurred together with breakfast, "couples therapy", and occasionally a visit from a bored guard who has anger issues. The psychological torment took its toll on me, and I found no reason to hold on any longer. After all of this, if I am found, no one will want me. Especially Sam. I'm not worth saving, not after this.

I don't even want me.

My head pounded with a concussion and dehydration, and I couldn't keep my eyes open. I felt arms touch me, and I pulled away instinctively, not wanting to be touched anymore, but no words came out to stop them.

Apparently, my attempt stopped them, and they stopped immediately, and I relaxed again. A voice boomed next to me. "I'm here, Angel. I'm not going anywhere."

Then everything went dark.