Saving Calen

3.

Calen's POV

After Casey is long gone, I slump in my bed take my hoodie off.

My body is littered with small scars and cuts that I wish weren't there. I slip under the covers and lay on my back, staring up at my ceiling.

I want nothing more than to be something more.

To be someone.

I hear stomping around above me along with yelling.

Caden screams at my father and my fathers booming voice echos back. It reminds me of that one quote, something about if you've lived with an angry man before, you'll always live with one.

Instinct takes over as I leap out of bed and creep towards the stairs.

"You're a fucking idiot, Caden! You and your brothers are nothing more than brutes."

Caden laughs, "and I wonder who made us like this, father." He bites back.

Thwack.

The sound of a fist connecting with a face rings out and I bound up the stairs. My dad holds Caden against a wall, a knife to his throat.

"Speak like that to me again, and I'll gut you."

Cadens face is red as he holds back his anger. His fists are clenched by his side, but his eye contact never wavers. His eyes don't bounce back and forth between my dads like mine do, his gaze stays steadfast.

Fear grips my throat. "Dad." I say.

He turns towards me, his gaze murderous.

"Stop."

He releases Caden and he rubs his neck.

"Did you just tell me what to do?" My father snaps. I kick myself for not shutting my mouth, but refuse to turn tail now.

"We'll be seeing the Galantes' tomorrow. There's no need to do something now that we'll have to explain later." I try and reason.

He narrows his eyes at me and a pit forms in my stomach.

A sickly smile spreads across his features as he heads towards me.

"Okay. I'll stop."

I warily turn to go back downstairs but he stops me in my tracks with 5 words.

"Mrs. Galantes sent for you."

My heart races in my chest as I close my eyes and clench my jaw.

"I told her you need to rest tonight, but it seems like you have plenty of energy. Caden will take you over."

I look over my shoulder to see Caden staring at the ground, then back up at me, an apologetic look in his eye.

"Let's go." He says.

...

We pull into the driveway and Caden cuts the car off.

We sit in silence as I dread going inside.

"Use the back door, remember? I'll be here when you get out."

I lean my head back on the head rest and close my eyes.

"I'm sorry, Calen. I've been there too."

I open my eyes and look at him. I nod before getting out of the car.

I put my hood on and walk to the back entrance where I knock once.

Mrs. Giovanni opens the door wearing a satin robe and cheap perfume. She's in her 30s, blonde and a fit build.

"Hello, handsome. Come in." She purrs.

I'm going to puke.

I force a smile and let her lead me upstairs. We enter one of the spare rooms before she directs me to sit on the bed. She moves to the wet bar and pours herself a drink.

She holds up her glass. "Would you like one?"

I shake my head. "No ma'am."

"Right to it then, huh? That's alright by me handsome."

I shutter at the pet name but smile anyway.

She sits next to me before placing a hand on my thigh. I look down before staring blankly ahead.

"Don't make me do all the work now." She flirts. I swallow the bile rising in my throat before taking my hoodie and shirt off. Her cold hands trace the outline of my abs and a shiver runs through me. She moves to straddle me before grabbing me face and kissing me.

Her mouth forces mine to move with her, her tongue snaking by my own.

Panic consumes me to the point that I have to focus on my breathing. On my headache. On anything but what's happening. I feel her place a hand on my chest before I'm being pushed to my back.

She starts moving lower on my body. The familiar feeling of being out of my mind takes over as her hands slide into my pants.

Like a good little soldier, my hips lift on their own accord and she slides my pants down to my feet. Before I know it, I'm naked and so is she.

"You're so much hotter than my husband." She moans out. Her hands roam my body like I'm a piece of meat. Like it's hers to touch and fuck, maybe it is.

It's certainly not mine.

The worst part is that my body responds, despite my minds effort to block it out. My pulse quickens, my breathing picks up and my body flushes.

She grabs me at my base and my abs clench in disgust. She lowers herself onto me and I grit my teeth and wait for it to be done.

...

I close the door with a soft click and breathe in the crisp night. I yank my secret stash of cigarettes out of my pocket and light one up on the way back to the car.

I walk back to where Caden's parked, climb in the passenger seat and shut the door. I lean forward and place my head against the glove box. My hands shake and my breathing is rapid.

Caden drives without saying anything at first. Then he breaks the silence.

"When they said we belong to them, they really meant all of us huh." He sneers. I just look at him.

He pulls into the driveway and we head into the house. I turn to go back down to my room.

"Yeah, not a fucking chance. You're sleeping on the couch in my room tonight." Caden says.

I run a hand down my face, anger coursing through my body. I just want to be alone.

"I'm really not in the fucking mood, Caden." I glare at him. He walks to me and grips my forearm. I wince and pull back.

"That's what the fuck I thought. Now go upstairs and get some sleep." His expression yields no room for argument, and I'm too tired to do so.

I drag my body up to his room and I lay on the couch and stare up at the ceiling.

As an insomniac, it's extremely rare that I fall asleep, and tonight is no exception.