Locked in chains

Chapter 16

2 days later,

10:00 pm

"Wake up, princessa..."

I can feel his hands stroking my hair as he speaks. I eventually open my eyes and meet his blue eyes staring back at me. I've missed him so much it hurts, but I remember EVERYTHING. Immediately, I pull away from him and lean back against the headboard. Shit, I'm here.

"Don't come near me," I spit.

"Leila let us explain, please," he says, moving closer to me.

"Don't touch me!" I scream. "I don't want anyone to touch me and I want to be alone, but right now, I have neither." He looks hurt by my reaction, but I can't stand anyone being so close to me. My bedroom door opens, revealing three familiar faces facing me.

"Are you okay? We heard you screaming," Lucas says, out of breath.

"What did you do, Kyle?" Cole growls.

"Leila, are you okay?" Enzo asks.

"I knew we shouldn't have let Kyle out of my sight, sorry guys," Enzo says. 

They're standing in front of me, looking scared and confused. I can't help but find this funny, but then I remember everything that happened like a wave hitting me. I feel anger starting to build inside me. How can they know what it's like to feel afraid? They didn't have to endure three weeks in that hell. I may not be with that psychopath anymore but with traitors now.

"Get out! I want to be alone and I don't want to see any of you," I say sharply.

They freeze in place, unsure of what to do. I raise my eyebrows and make big eyes, urging them to leave, and they finally do. I stand up to lock the door and head towards my window. I see the little brick from last time is slightly showing, and I smile. I'm really here and not there. I'm not dreaming. I should pinch myself the be sure. Deep down, I'm overjoyed at the thought of being back here and seeing them again, but I can't allow myself to feel that way. I mustn't forget. They sold me. They will pay for their betrayals.

I eventually climb up on the brick, and in less than two seconds, I'm on the roof. I sit on the edge, letting my feet dangle. For the first time in a long time, I can finally breathe. I'm free. Free from this hell, from this place and him. I'm no longer under his control. Speaking of him, where is he? What have they done with him? And Marcus? He must know I'm no longer in David's hands. If I want answers, I'll have to ask the guys, but that's out of the question. I don't want to talk to them or endure their pity. I deserve so much better than what they made me go through. I take a deep breath one more time and lean my back against the roof. It feels unreal being here, yes I don't trust them but I know it can't be worse. The view hasn't changed since I came here to spy on the guys. Unlike me, I'm not the same person I was a few weeks ago, and I don't know myself anymore. I barely recognize myself. I feel empty and lost. Everything I know is a lie. Nothing makes sense anymore.

I hear footsteps in the distance, so I turn my head and see Cole sticking his head out the window to climb up on the roof too.

"Get lost," I say sharply.

"The roof belongs to both of us, Love."

I'm about to leave when he grabs my arm. Out of reflex, I break free from his grip and I back away.

"I will never hurt you, Leila," he says.

"Stop lying, I'm tired of people lying. I can't even trust you right now, you are all traitors and untrustworthy people."

"We didn't lie to you."

"Oh no, that's right you just forgot to tell me that I was going to be sold to our enemy," I spit.

He turns his gaze from mine and I can almost see his guilt eating at him. Before, I would have taken the time to listen to him and help him through it, but too much has happened since. I won't try to help him get over his guilt of selling me to David. Try to live through it as long as me and we'll talk. He has his demons and now I have mine.

"Where is David?" I ask him.

"Leila, I don't think..."

"WHERE IS HE?"

"He's locked up downstairs."

In each of the houses and villas we lived in, there was a room reserved for prisoners. A bit like the room I spent my last few weeks.

"Does Marcus know I'm back?"

"Don't worry about Marcus, we'll take care of him."

They're going to take care of him? Another lie from him, I'm sure. No longer wanting to continue this conversation, I walk towards my window to go to my room.

"I'm really sorry for what you've been through, we tried to get you out of the deal," he says.

"You tried? Do you hear yourself when you talk? You have no idea what I've been through the past weeks so stop talking to me with this pitiful voice, that makes me want to punch you in the face."

"I just want us to talk."

"I don't want to."

"Leila, give me a chance to explain."

"Not tonight, goodnight."

"Good night, Leila."

I turn my head to the side to catch a glimpse of him while I'm walking to my window. I want to run into his arms and feel him close to me, but I can't succumb. Once inside I lay down in my bed to sleep.

1 week later

For the past few days, I've been staying in my room all day, only leaving to eat and then locking myself back in. The guys continue to go on missions and come back late at night. I've hardly seen them since I've returned. Sometimes when I'm on the roof, Cole tries to talk to me but I leave right away, not giving him a chance to say a word. It would be too easy. I don't know if I'm ready to talk about it yet. Lucas often knocks on my door to check up on me, but I haven't opened it, not once. I can accept betrayal from the others, but him? He's my older brother, he should have warned me and helped me escape. He should be the one I shouldn't worry about, I was wrong. Instead, he did nothing. Absolutely nothing. He accepted that I was going to be kidnap and now that I'm back, I'm supposed to forgive him? I don't think so. I haven't heard from Marcus, I don't know how the guys are hiding my return from him but it gives me more time to prepare my plan. Knowing that David is in the basement of the villa, that my strength is back and that my strategy to kill him is almost ready, I just need to put it into action. I'll wait for the guys to leave on a mission, day or night, and during that time I'll pay a visit to the man who haunts my nightmares. The man who destroyed everything. He needs to be put to rest and I'll be the one to put an end to his miserable life. I'll be the last face he sees before he dies, that's a promise!

Since the guys hadn't come back to the villa yet, I allowed myself to go outside to get some fresh air and sit on the swing further in the back. I dreamed about it, but sitting on it today feels weird. A month ago, I loved this, and I would have stayed here until it was time to go to bed. Today it just reminds me of the time David gave me the same swing. I can't shake this thought inside in my head. So, I get up and go back inside my room. I go through the kitchen and take something to eat in case I get hungry. I don't want to go back downstairs later, I want to avoid them at all cost. I continue my way into the living room when the front door opens.