Fire and Ice

Chapter 16

Kaden

The living room light was on when I got home, and I knew that I was not off the hook. He was still on one.

I stepped inside, prepared for the worst. My dear old dad was sitting on the couch and he turned his furious gaze on me.

"Where have you been?" He growled lowly.

"I told you. The gym. I was getting in extra training." I moved down the hall toward my room.

"Kaden. Who was with you?"

I froze. Shit.

Dad approached me from behind, but I didn't dare move. "I had Jerod make sure you were at the gym. He said there was a girl with you. Who was she?"

My body was frozen in place. I never wanted him knowing about Alyssa, or anyone I associated with.

"Kaden." He snapped. "Answer me, boy."

"Just a girl. She's no one."

"What's her name?"

"That isn't for you to know." I growled. My heart was pounding in worry for Alyssa. What did he want?

"I need a name now. Or you can spend another night in the Rat Room. Who is she?"

"No one." I repeated stiffly.

"Desmond." My dad called.

Dread sank into my body. Desmond. Dad's right hand man. A man bigger than Mike with a love of beating others down.

The lumbering oaf stomped out of the kitchen. "Been awhile, Kaden."

Dad held the back of my shirt, keeping me in place. Desmond's fist slammed into my stomach and I groaned from the hit, falling to the floor.

Desmond then kicked me in the stomach. Then again. He grabbed the collar of my shirt and landed a punch to my face. He dropped me.

I groaned, gritting my teeth against the pain in my ribs and face.

His fist connected with my face again and I crumpled. I spat blood from my mouth angrily.

"One more time, boy." Dad yelled. "I need the girl's name."

"Like hell." I grunted, trying to sit up.

Dad nodded at Desmond, who in turn slammed his foot into my stomach.

"Take him down to the Rat Room."

I was still trying to see past my pain as Desmond grabbed the back of my shirt and dragged me through the kitchen and down into the basement. He pulled me over to the room in the corner.

"Have fun, little Wolfe." He threw me into the room and slammed the door closed. The lock turned a second later.

I coughed as I sat up, feeling the dirty grit of the floor under my hands.

The Rat Room. This room was where I was put for punishment. It was called the Rat Room since I was usually in trouble from trying to rat Dad out. Rats loved to occupy the room as well.

The room was tiny, like a cell. It was frigid in here, with no electricity, no lights. The walls and floor were solid concrete. The room was completely empty.

It was never cleaned either, so there were blood stains from nights I was beat until I was bleeding out.

I dragged myself upright and slumped against the wall. I held my stomach, wincing from any movement I made. The only sound was my harsh breathing.

This wasn't my first time in here in this condition. And it probably wouldn't be my last.

Dad's voice came through the door. "You can spend the night. Tomorrow, you give me the girl's name, got it? I don't want her getting in the way."

I didn't respond. No matter how much he asked, no matter what he did to me, I wouldn't give Alyssa's name.

I closed my eyes as pain danced through my body. It was going to be a long night.

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Hope you enjoyed (even though this chapter is sad). Any thoughts? Vote if you like it. Thanks for reading (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)