Double Vexation ( A Harper's series. book 11)

Wolf In Sheep's Clothing

Hello! I hope everyone is doing well! Sorry for the long wait but I decided to take a break from all social media for a bit. Sometimes you need to shut the world off to gain perspective, think and see the goodness that's truly in the world.

I feel bad for not updating sooner but negativity really puts a cramp on my writing and creative side. One thing is certain though and I realized that while taking a break... I can come here to escape the chaos... We all can no matter what our views are on anything and there is one thing we all have in common... Our love for the Harper's!!! Love you all!!!

Now let's leave the politics aside and take a brief breather and short escape!! I hope you enjoy!!

My teeth bit into my bottom lip as I mustered up what strength I had left to try and free myself from the bonds that cut into my wrists and ankles. I had to swallow my whimpers of pain with each movement I made. I'm sure that I had broken ribs amongst other fractures from the severe beatings I have suffered. The skin on my wrists and ankles were bloody and raw from the tight ropes that bit into my flesh. Each move I made to be free only caused more friction and skin peeling. My body begged me to just stop and give in but my mind was too stubborn to listen or take commands. This... All of this was my doing I shamelessly admit but I'll do everything in my power to right my wrong and fix this..... Starting with him.

The heat was getting to me and sweat peppered my body. Taking a brief rest, I leaned back up against the wall and glanced around my small nook. Since the night of my family's downfall I have been a captive in my ex boyfriend's home. He stashed me away in a tiny closet in a spare bedroom. Steve continues to go to work and about his usual business as if he didn't have a girl locked away in his house. I'm no more than a caged pet to him, a pet to a very abusive and neglectful owner. He never misses a chance to taunt me or increase my pain. Whenever he learns of news about my family he rubs it in and throws it in my face.

In the morning before he leaves for work he'll stop by and drop a sack of food on the floor but never close enough for me to reach. It thrills him knowing that my hunger will get so bad that I'll stretch my arm's against the burn of the ropes to reach the food. When he returns late in the evening he'll stop by to see if I'm still alive. Sometimes he goes away but sometimes he likes to smack and kick me around. Normally I run my mouth and taunt him back but I have sense learned to stay silent. Not out of fear but because I know in order to defeat him I need to be strong and let my body heal from his beatings. Naturally the dumb fuck believes that he has won and broken me but that's not the case. I'm simply plotting and nurturing myself back to health. When he least expects it I'll fire back and end him.

Other than plot Steve's death all I can do is think of my family. I didn't mean to cause this and it wasn't as if I planned it. I honestly had no idea Steve would do this to me. I kick myself for not taking Duel's warnings more seriously but I was in love. Yes, I know the bad history the family has with cop's but you can't help who you call in love with. I just knew that Steve was sincere and truly cared for me. Never in a million year's did I think he'd do this. Steve was so perfect and everything any girl would want. I was his princess and wanted for nothing. He gave me everything including his time and attention. Steve treated me with respect and made me feel important. For a time I was the only girl in the world. I'll admit that he deserves an Oscar for his acting.

Recently he told me that London Harper had been executed and the other's were to follow. I thought about my escape many time's and how I would rescue my family but what worries me the most is if they will ever forgive me. Will they believe that I never intentionally betrayed them? Will they banish me or worse? I couldn't blame them if they did. After all they have me a loving, stable home when they didn't have to. No, I don't know anything about my true parent's but in my heart they are my real and only parent's. The entire family is my family and I ruined them. Even if I'm forgiven I'll never forgive myself.

Having rested enough I begin to try and work free from the ropes. In this tiny space I had no sense of time. There wasn't even a window to see night turn to day. There was nothing but darkness and the smell of my soiled body. With each twitch of my hands the pain burned but I continued to push. Suddenly I felt the rope give an inch and knew that I was making progress. With tears of determination I worked harder until I felt my hands drop to the floor. I was free. I went to remove the ropes from my ankles and gasped at the sight of my wrists. Caked up blood stuck to the wound as well as pockets of pus filled infection. Pushing the sight from my mind, I went to work on my ankles.

Once free I started to open the closet door but heard Steve coming home. Fuck, I thought as I had to think of something quick. Grabbing a wire clothes hanger from the rack, I begin to twist the hooked top until it made a nice poking weapon. Quickly I settled back on the floor and tucked my hands and feet behind me. I saw the bedroom light flick on and heard his stalking steps come closer. I could see the shadow of his feet from underneath the crack in the door and my heart sped up. Steve opened the door with a bright smile. "Today is your lucky day Zoe. I've decided that I have no more use for you. Besides you're stinking up my closet" .

The bright light from the room was blinding me but I was able to make out duck tape in his hand. I squinted up as he tore a piece off using his teeth. "Don't worry, I'll make it quick. First I'll take you to the docks on the lower end of town and shoot you in the temple. Then I'll toss your body over into the river".

" Wait". I called out.

"Tell me Steve, did you ever care for me even just a little bit?" . I asked.

Not that I cared but I needed to know if it all was just a ruse. Steve gave me a mocking, pitiful look. "Awww... Zoe. You poor little girl. You was so naive and made this all too easy for me. No, I never cared for you, not even the tiniest. Even now I feel no guilt at what I'm about to do. You was my ticket to the Harper's" .

"That's good to know". I mumbled.

" And why is that? " he smirked.

"Because I won't feel bad for this". I seethed and popped up onto my knees sending the pointed part of the wire hanger into his right eye. Steve screamed and cursed as he tried to remove the hanger from his eye. I took this chance to run out of the door. I had no clue as to where to go once I got the city street's. I just knew to keep running. I'm sure once Steve recovered he'd have every unit looking for me.

Thirty minutes later I sat winded in a abandoned ally trying to think of what to do next. I had no idea where any of the free Harper's were and I couldn't stick around in New York. Tomorrow I would try to contact Mizery or King. That's my only option. As for now I needed sleep. Curling myself into a ball to ward off the frigid air, I laid down upon a piece of cardboard. My nightmare has only begun.

Hope you enjoyed it!!

So has anyone's opinion changed about Zoe?

Are you still mad at her or do you sympathize with her?

Will she make it out of New York and find the Harper's?

Will the Harper's forgive her if she locates them or could this be the end for her?

Can't wait to hear from each of you!!!