His Identity

58

|Nick's POV|

The chains bite into my wrists, the cold metal digging into my skin, but the pain is a distant memory now. My breath comes in short, ragged gasps, my body screaming for release, for relief. I can barely move, the iron cuffs holding me in place, refusing to give even an inch.

I'm exhausted, weak— drained. I need food, water and sleep. It's been too long. My eyes feel heavy but I can't help and my head hurts so damn bad. I'm going to sleep for at least a month once I'm out of this godforsaken place. Preferably on Aveline's bed. Or maybe with her beside me. I'm aware that I'm way in over my head, I don't need a reminder.

Thing is, I think Aveline is here which is weird but I can feel it somehow and I don't know how I feel about her being here.

She could get hurt. Or worse.

I don't think I'll be able to handle that. The thought of her getting injured makes me wanna go all psychotic surgeon on crack on Travis. I'd take my time with that one, definitely. I'd tear open his flesh, carve out his organs one by one, maybe cut off his hand and stuff his fist in his mouth for silence. I like to work when it's quiet. God, I need help.

What was she thinking coming here anyway? How did she even find— right. She has skills. I love that. It's so hot. Hell, everything about her is. But she can't possibly think she'll be able to get me out of here by herself. Although, I don't think she's here alone. I'm willing to bet that fucker, Ryver is with her. He must have probably somehow convinced Zale to tag along. The thought of Zale being here makes me relax a bit. He's the more logical one out of the three of them— no offense to Aveline.

"I've been meaning to ask you something though," Travis speaks, interrupting my line of thoughts. He has been talking for a while now and I have no idea what he's yapping about. But bet he's going to ask me another family-related bullshit.

"Must you?"

He rolls his eyes, licks his dry lips as he stares at me. "Why aren't you with that family of yours, huh?" Called it. "Trouble in hell?"

"None of your business."

Travis clicks his tongue, "I must say it's not very smart of Enzo to let his sole heir roam around the world with no bodyguards or whatever. What if. . ." He reaches out and shove a strand of my damp hair away from my face. "Something happens to this pretty face of yours? What if you die?"

"I'll die knowing you think I'm pretty," I mutter and I know I'm playing with fire with those words of mine.

I'm fucking with him, taunting him, pushing him, practically begging him to shoot me and get it over with already. But I can't, for the love of myself, stop my mouth from running. It says what it wants, however it wants and when it damn feels like it. That shit runs in my blood, can't help it.

"Fuck," he grits out, nose flaring. "You get on my nerves."

"I must be doing something right."

"Jesus," Travis frowns, takes several step back. "I've never met anyone as profoundly annoying and frustrating as you. I've called someone and they're coming to kill you, finish what I can't do. You're don—" the rest of his words are interrupted when the sound of a gun going off echoes in the air and the next thing I know, Travis drops dead on the ground with a bullet embedded right between his eyes.

"Oh, damn." I hear someone whisper, the voice all too familiar.

I try to turn my head to look at them, to really see them, but the chains won't let me. I'm stuck, like some sick joke, trapped in this hellhole with no way to even reach out to them. But despite it all, a smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. It's weak, probably more of a grimace than anything else, but it's all I can manage.

"Nick," Aveline's voice reaches my ears. Her beautiful voice. Makes me wanna make her say my name over and over again until I'm sick of it which I don't think will ever happen. I'll never get tired of hearing her say my name. She sounds soft but firm, the kind of voice that grounds you when everything else is spinning out of control.

Then I hear footsteps as she's standing in front of me, looking as pretty as ever. She seems horrified though, maybe because I look like shit. I know I do. Zale and Ryver are beside her, I called it. I still got it— even while sleep deprived, starving and on the verge of dying.

"Hi, love." I can't help the smile that reaches my face even though I try hiding it by biting down on my lips. "How do you like the sight of me in chains?" I tug on them for emphasis.

She doesn't look amused, not even in the slightest bit. "Are you hurt?" Before I can answer, she shakes her head. "Fuck that. Of course you are. Look at you. You're bleeding."

"You'll take care of me," like you've done so many times before. I mutter in an attempt to lighten the mood but she's having none of it. She's scared and I'm going to kill the two idiots behind her for bringing her here.

"Where are the stupid keys?" Ryver (idiot number one) asks and I tell him they're somewhere on Travis. I hear Zale (idiot number two) rummaging through Travis's pockets, his movements quick. "Got them," he announces after a few seconds, and I hear the clink of keys as he tosses them to Ryver.

Ryver steps in, and I can sense the shift in his demeanor—he's all business now, no room for jokes or his usual light-heartedness. I can't really see what he's doing, but I can feel it—the way the chains around my wrists start to loosen, the metal giving way as Ryver works the keys in the locks. The first shackle falls away, and I swear I could cry. Being in chains isn't very fun when you're not in the bedroom, trust me. The second follows, and, I feel as light as ever.

My body slumps forward, no longer held up by the chains, and I nearly collapse. But Aveline is there, her arms wrapping around me and does not hesitate to pull me close. I breathe in, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I catch her scent—a mix of something sweet and familiar, like lavender and warmth. It's intoxicating, grounding me in a way nothing else can. I bury my face in the crook of her neck, soaking in her warmth. The height difference probably makes us look funny right now but fuck that. I missed her. I've never needed anyone the way I need her.

"You're okay," she whispers, her breath warm against my ear. "I'll take care of you alright." I smile, I know she will. Some stupid part of me likes it when she does that. It relieves me to know she gives a whole lot of a shit about me. Unable to stop myself, I press my lips against her neck. She inhales sharply then tightens her grip around me.

"Alright, love birds," Ryver's annoying voice makes me groan. "We need to get out of here. Maybe this guy got minions coming."

"We should," I reluctantly put some distance between myself and Aveline as Zale claps a hand on my shoulder, "let's go, man. We've got you." And with that, we leave. They came in one car, so we head towards that. Zale settles in the driver's seat while Ryver calls shotgun on passenger like some child, which leaves me and Aveline in the backseat. I don't mind. I was hoping this would happen. It's the sleep deprivation talking, I swear.

Aveline sits beside me, the car ride to my house silent. I throw my head back on the headrest and close my eyes, my neck hurts. I need a long hot bath. It's at least a forty minutes drive back to my house, so that sucks.

My eyes flutter open when I feel Aveline's fingers brush against my cheek. I look at her, she's closer now. I'm glad she is not asking any questions about what happened but I know she will eventually.

She brushes my hair back and leans forward before pressing her lips against the side of my head. I don't know what that was for but I like it. There's something so tender in the way she touches me, something that makes my breath hitch in my throat. Every time feels like the first. And I crave that more than anything.

"I'm glad you're safe," she murmurs then sighs, looking both relieved and drained. "You're a fucking idiot."

"Tell me something I don't already know."