We search through the files for hours. Splitting them up into different piles. The piles are broken up into each year and then split into piles according to their value. I honestly have no idea what this missing file actually has in it, but according to Caden it is extremely important to them, whatever that means. Knowing The Black Wolves reputation, it is probably a hit list of their enemies.
I look around and realise that it is a little after 9pm. We have been at this for almost 5 hours. Tanner and Tony left some time ago now. Tanner mumbled something about being 'too old for this shit' and Tony said that he would bring us up some food, which he did. We had a 20-minute break to eat the pizza that Tony brought back and then got stuck back into sorting the files. I was tedious and time consuming. Caden and Trey have been somewhat civil these past few hours, a few sarcastic quips here and there but nothing a good kick in the shins couldn't stop.
Trey finally gets up from his seat across from me at the dining table, "We should go Em. We both need some rest, and you haven't slept properly in 48 hours." He extends his hand, inviting me to grab it so that we can leave. I don't really want to be alone with him, especially after seeing that camera footage. Besides that, we don't have anywhere to go except home, and I will not step foot into that house again, not after HE has been there. Trey clicks his fingers at me, trying to get my attention.
"Sure. We can find a motel or something and crash there for a couple hours." I shrug nonchalantly.
"Don't be ridiculous. You are staying here, princess." Caden states. Trey lets out a strange, low growl at hearing this but Caden just smiles sweetly back at Trey, "Your guard dog can stay here too, but only if he promises to behave and not piss on my rug."
"Caden," I warn him, rolling my eyes. "I'm exhausted," I raise my eyebrows at Trey, trying to tell him that I want to stay. Trey looks at me and adjusts his cap in irritation, Caden really has rubbed him the wrong way. He comes across a as an obnoxious ass, but I can tell that there is more to him. He isn't an awful person; I can just feel it. The urge to look over at Caden is strong but I fight against it and keep eye contact with Trey. Finally, he gives me a look of loving half smile and nods, "if that'll make you happy, Em."
I let out a sign of relief and finally stop to take a closer look around Caden's apartment. The outside of the building isn't all that impressive, but the inside is amazing. The penthouse was enormous, with black polished concrete floors and floor to ceiling windows that looked over Brisbane city.
The view is incredible. The lights of the city flicker off the river, making it look like there are fireflies dancing on top of the water.
"I'll take you to your room. It's the one right across from mine." Caden winks at me mischievously, and I can't help but smile. I say goodnight to Trey and follow Caden to one of the many rooms in this seemingly ever-growing apartment. The room is huge! It has a king size bed, a walk-in wardrobe and an ensuite to die for. The bathtub is almost as big as the bed! I sprint over to the bathtub and dramatically fall on to my knees hugging the side of the tub. "Have I died and gone to heaven?" Caden bursts out laughing at my theatrics, "It doesn't take much to please you does it, princess?"
I raise an eyebrow at him, "You'd be surprised." What has gotten into me? I hardly know this guy. This, yes hot, but very dangerous guy. Keep it professional, Em. He is basically now a business partner, get it together. I silently scold myself and look away from him. "I should get to bed. Big day and all." I say while slightly pushing past him to get out of the bathroom and back to the bedroom. As I slip past, he grabs my wrist and quickly spins me around, so I am facing him. His face is inches away from mine and he stands over me using our small height difference to his advantage. For what feels like forever, but is probably only a few seconds, he just stares at me. Breathing in and out.
I clear my throat and break the silence, "what are you doing?".
"We have a few things to discuss." His eyes flick down to my lips and then back up to my eyes.
A wad of cotton if now lodged in my throat as I try to swallow. I bring my hand up to my necklace and start to fidget with the pendant, "What kind of things?" I ask. When did I become a girl that is this nervous around guys... it's been so long since someone has made me feel this kind of nervous.
He smirks at me flirtatiously, as if he knows what I am thinking, as if he knows the strange affect, he is having on me and how fast my heart is beating right now. That feeling doesn't last long, especially after his face turns serious and he says one word. "Trey."
Yep. There it goes.
Suddenly I can breathe again, and I let my pendant go. All of my nervous energy is suddenly gone, replaced with fear.
Can I really trust him with this? Maybe I should just hold out until I know more.
Are you crazy?! You need to tell him everything. Especially seeing as it was one of his guys that Trey killed not even 17 hours ago.
I can't do that. I can't risk Trey's life like that.
He lied to me though. What else could he be lying about?
And now I'm having full conversations with myself. Great! I am going crazy. My internal conversation is cut short by Caden clearing his throat, which snaps my attention back to reality. He is still standing incredibly close, with his face just inches from mine and is staring into my caramel eyes."Ember, you can trust me." His voice is so gentle and so sincere that I can't help but believe him.
"I really want to trust you. But I find it hard to trust anyone and I can't be sure of how you will react. That makes talking to you a risk that I don't know if I can take yet." I admit honestly, hanging my head.
His eyes take on a look of pity for just a second, but as quickly as it comes, it is gone. "I am not going to pressure you, but if you are keeping secrets, how am I meant to keep up my end of the deal?"
Everything in me wants to tell him the whole story. I have been keeping it to myself for so long that it feels like it is going to break me. I can feel the weight of everything I have been through pushing me down and suddenly I feel my legs start to shake. Caden must have noticed how I started shaking because he puts his hand around my waist and leads me to the bed so I can sit on the edge while he kneels in front of me.
"Listen. I know you don't know me very well, but I will protect you. I can promise you that."
Letting out a shaky breath, I nod.
I am strong. I am safe. I am not afraid.
I am strong. I am safe. I am not afraid."Let's start at the beginning."
I start with my parents being murdered in front of me 5 years ago, at the age of 16. How I lived with my best friend, Chloe, for the next 2 years and in that time, I met Zander and fell in love. I tell him about how I started getting messages when I was 18 from a stranger. How a few weeks after the messages started, Chloe, Zander and I were kidnapped, and they were killed. The 2 people I loved most in the world, were killed. Again.I paused waiting for some sort of reaction, but Caden's face had turned cold and emotionless, so I continued to tell him about how I was held and tortured for 6 months, "I escaped and after that I changed my last name from O'Connor to Reeves. Reeves was Zander's last name". His eyes fill with understanding, as he finally gets why I corrected him earlier. I continue and tell him about how I met Trey at the supermarket, and he offered me a place to live. I skip ahead to 2 days ago, which was the day I met Caden and fill him in on what happened at the cabin and about how Trey killed one of his men. Caden doesn't flinch; his face stays emotionless and distant.
By the time I am finished, I am emotionally and mentally drained. This is the first time I have ever rehashed all of these old memories and told my story from start to finish. My left hand is throbbing from holding on to a bundle of bed sheets that I didn't realise I had grabbed. Quickly I let go and wipe my hands on my jeans."How did you escape?" The way he asks, makes me shiver. His voice has gone quiet and there seems to be some other emotion behind his voice but I can't quite put my finger on what it is.
"That is a much longer story."
YOU ARE READING
Psycho Love
ActionAfter the tragic death of her mother and father Ember O'Connor didn't think life could get any worse - until she found herself kidnapped and being forced to make an impossible choice. Now three years later, she is trying to put her past behind her...