CAGED

Chapter 25: The Slip Up

Ryans POV:

I watch as Marissa goes up the stairs slowly, her small figure retreating one step at a time as if she is reluctant to go. Rachel runs by me and darts away to her room, a wide grin spread across her face as her eyes light up. It's good to see her so happy for a change, as though the pain of her childhood no longer weighs on her shoulders as heavily. Her carefree expression is a pleasant transformation that I welcome with ease.

Marissa seems to be in such a better mood than she was this morning, the worries of her nightmare erased from her features. Being outside seemed to help her so much, the fresh air favoring her complexion greatly. When she was playing in the water with Rachel there was a light in her eyes, golden flecks showing though her hazel eyes. Her hair has gotten pretty long, though it actually looks very pretty this length, and it kept swinging into her face and blocking her soft facial features. She looked so carefree as she played, splashing the water around, that I didn't even get upset that the two girls were stomping around my expensive and unique fountain that I had had to special order.

I make my way to my office, shutting and locking the door behind me so that nobody will come into the room. I kick my shoes off by the wall and go over to my desk, bringing my laptop to life. I sit down in front of it, a ding and an email popping up once I take my seat. With a heavy sigh I click on the email with only a brief acknowledgment that it is from James, the man I bought Marissa from. I wait while the email loads, the words slowly appearing in single lines at a time. Once it's completely loaded I scan it with my eyes, quickly reading the words as worry etches itself into my features.

With a heavy sigh I slam my laptop shut and run my hand though my hair messing it up even more than it already was. Things have just become complicated in the small span of five minutes, and I need to find time in order to solve the problem. Preparing for a fight I whip my phone out of my pocket and dial James' number. Three rings later and he answers with a gruff tone of voice.

"What?!" James snaps into his phone at me.

"Excuse me?" I reply calmly. I hear James cough slightly as he realizes who it is. "What the hell is with that email?"

"Ryan!" James exclaims. "How are you? Is the girl beha-"

"Cut the crap James," I interrupt. "I want to know what the hell that email meant."

"I thought you should know since it concerns your girl," James answers swiftly as though trying to keep my anger at bay.

"I realize it concerns her, James," I snap to him, his efforts falling onto deaf ears. "I want to know how they have come so close?!"

"I don't know," James murmured into the phone, almost as though he were talking to himself more than to me. "I don't underst-"

"I don't care if you understand," I snap into the phone. "If you weren't such an incompetent idiot this would have never happened! Did you cover your tracks correctly? Leave nothing behind? Did you do what the hell you were supposed to do?"

"I didn't leave anything that could have linked the girl to me," James snapped back. "Or you for that matter!"

"You better be sure James," I warn him, a deadly threat laced through my tone of voice. "Because if they don't kill you, I sure as hell will. You better watch yourself very closely for the next several weeks. Understand??"

"Y-yes sir," James mumbled back. Not waiting for him to say anything further I snap my phone shut. Anger consumes me as I throw my phone at the wall opposite of me, the screen smashing beneath the force. I lift my hands to grip my hair as I let out a frustrated scream, the sound barely trapped in my throat to not alert the girls. My breathing heavy I unlock the office door and storm out of the room, heading directly for the basement. Swinging the door open I stomp down the steps and flick the light switch on.

In one corner is the chains that I had locked Marissa in, that I had locked Aaron in. I turn away to the opposite corner where a rough looking punching bag hangs from the ceiling. I slip my hands into a pair of finger less gloves and strap them tight. Curling my fingers into my fists I slam them into the bag as it swings wildly beneath the force of my punches. My fists seemed to fly without hesitation as swing after swing hits their mark. The chain holding the bag up creaks above the bag as it continues to swing. My breathing begins to slow down as my anger slowly ebbs away.

My punches slow down to a stop as my anger completely dissipates. The bag swings to a stop and I rest my head onto the rough leather. My breathing finally settles a calm in and out, and I lift my head from the bag. I take off my gloves and set them on the table again before going the steps. Sweat has built a slick layer across my forehead and in my hair as I climb the steps and flick the light off. I swing the door open and let it fall shut behind me as I make my way to my room to shower my frustrations away.

A/N: HEY EVERYONE! 945 words this time! Also, I just want to say THANK you! I haven't checked the reads for a little while and we are at 970 READS!! You guys are amazing! I never thought I would get that many reads, so I am so excited!

Normally I don't leave the chapter with an open question, but I think I will this time! Please comment answers!

What do you think is going to happen?

What do you think is Marissa's plan?

Comment your answers, your theories, and your thoughts! I'll be so excited to see what y'all think!

Also, Wednesday will be the new updating day! I work on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and some Sundays. Saturday's are for spending with my hubby, so Wednesday I will dedicate to all of you! I love you all!

Also! I will be posting another little chapter later tonight! So be on the lookout! It will be uploaded before 10!