Chapter 28 Lashes and Betrayals

Nicholas

Rage. Unequaled. Destructive. He would kill for her. Over and over. Without remorse.

Until he had Sinclair safely back in his arms, he would have no peace. His heart had been hurting but he knew he had to function beyond the pain. His viscountess needed him more than ever.

Thirty minutes. It was the longest time in his life. It meant his enemies had a headstart. Time was of the essence.

When they reached the bridal shop in West London, cops and paramedics surrounded the streets, unconscious bodies were being carried from the front and back of the building. He recognized the men he assigned as his fiancee's security detail. -Fuck! How did this happen?-

"I will talk to the chief of police," Cerdic said. Going straight to the man in charge and the group of detectives on the scene. Some of the policemen were trying to block the reporters from stepping inside the cordon tape.

"Let me check with the medics," Huntley said in a grave voice.

"We will get her back, Redington. We won't stop until we do." Lucien said. Squeezing his shoulder in commiseration.

Sandringham was already paving his way to the crime scene, using his authority as a member of the House of Lords.

They followed suit and entered the store. Strong scents hit their senses.

Laudanum and traces of carbon monoxide.

Pausing, he saw his mother, his sisters, and Lady Louise on the gurneys. His gut twisted.

Following the medics, with Sandringham in tow, just as frantic, they walked out to follow the unconscious bodies transported to the waiting ambulances. "What happened?" He asked EJ, who was reading the initial medical assessment.

Huntley, in his zone, his face sober, answered. "Large doses of laudanum on the food and champagne. Someone was also steadily pumping carbon monoxide into the vents. We have to flush it out of their system. I have to make sure..."

"Go. The four of us can manage." Nicholas said. "Please keep us updated." His perfect world, the one he had created for his mother and sisters were collapsing. He couldn't lose any of them.

"Please, take care of Louise, Huntley." Sandringham pleaded. His great gray eyes were bleak.

"Don't worry. We won't lose them. I swear on my life. I will join your search as soon as they are stable." With those words, he rode on one of the ambulances en route to their hospital.

"My lord," Redington and Sandringham both turned towards the voice. "Do you recognize this?"

A familiar piece of jewelry glittered inside the evidence bag. A small piece of paper was rolled in the ring. "Yes." He answered the investigator. "Where did you get this?"

"Let's go inside. We have closed the borders, docks, and airports. Unless they have other means of escaping London then the kidnappers will remain in the city." The man discussed this while they went back inside the store.

Cerdic and the police chief were waiting for them as well as their group of loyal soldiers. "They wouldn't be in Ireland. My best guess is another safe house."

Nicholas listened to them with half an ear. He pulled the ring from the bag and opened the note.

-I am sorry. I hope you would find it in you to forgive me. I will try my hardest to help her escape after they give me what I want. If I die, please rescue my sister, Lyrica. I know I don't have the right to ask for favors but I am her only hope. She was taken by my master when she was 15. I don't know his real name, I only know what he looked like. He is the nameless leader of the vile organization that plagues young children. Look for clues around the shop. I left them for you to find your fiancee."-

There was only one missing woman from the group that was sent to the hospital. Nicholas glanced at his friends. "Melody." He walked around the room to searched for more rolled pieces of paper.

"The note?" Cerdic asked.

"Yes. She was working with our enemies." With those words, not waiting for anyone, he was combing every corner and every piece of furniture he could find. It was sometime before he found another one under the bottom of a silver tray. -"The Thames. St. Katharina."-

"I found another one," Lucien exclaimed, kneeling on the carpeted floor. -"The Green Meadows."-

"She might refer to the name of a ferry or yacht. It would take us one fucking hour before we would reach the nearest docks!" Nicholas growled.

"Let's take the Mil Mi-26 then," Sandringham suggested. The marquis might be wild but he had some crazy shit ideas that had kept them alive multiple times. A big combat helicopter landing in the middle of London? Why not.

"Chief, tell your men to clear the streets. Now." Cerdic commanded. Expecting to be followed without question.

For the first time since Paul Adley took Sinclair, Nicholas could feel life breathed into him. -Hold on, sweetheart. I am coming for you.-

_______________

Sinclair

So dark. Not a sliver of light. -How long since she had been taken?-

So silent. She couldn't hear anything. The constant whooshing on her left ear was her only companion. Her precious hearing aide was crushed by Sylvia. Sinclair could feel musky liquid running down her face. Blood. From the hits, she received from Sylvia.

Blinking, disoriented because of the drugs they gave her, she tried to get her bearings. Chains rattled when she tried to move. They tied her wrists to some kind of metallic ceiling, she could feel it protesting every time she tried to yank herself free, her toes barely touched the floor. Where am I? The room suddenly moved and she felt like puking. A sob vibrated from her chest. She felt cold. Goosebumps pricked her skin, realizing she was naked, she cried harder. Her tears mixed with blood streamed down her cheeks. She was good as blind and she couldn't hear anything.

She didn't know how long she stayed crying in the dark, she was relieved somewhat that no one was coming for her.

It was only short-lived.

A painful flash of light hit her eyes, she gasped, squinted, and tried to focus.

Melody. Her personal- shopper was telling her something, Sinclair tried to read her lips, due to her disoriented state, only got bits and pieces. Shaking her head she tried to tell her.

She kept on talking.

-Rescue. Help. Hold on.-

Those were the words she could read from her friend. She sagged on her chains. Until she remembered something significant.

Melody was not among those who collapsed at the store. She was gone at that time. And yet she was here.

"Traitor." Sinclair hissed. She couldn't hear her voice. Melody did.

Then she was speaking once more, explaining something. Tears falling down her cheeks.

-Sorry. Had to.-

Refusing to believe her, Sinclair ducked her head. After a moment, someone jerked her hair. Pain throbbed on her scalp.

Sylvia. She was holding a cane. Smirking cruelly, she was talking to her daughter, shouting while she caned Sinclair's back, she was hitting areas guaranteed to incapacitate the fragile girl.

At some point she blacked out, her chains taking her weight. She screamed in agony when she felt cold water dumped on her bleeding back.

This time she was being whipped, long strands of sharply cut leather clung to her skin, she pleaded, she screamed. The bitch laughed harder.

-Bastard! Not my daughter. Killed. Mother.-

Sinclair wished she hadn't been able to read Sylvia's lips. However, some part of her was glad. Succumbing to the endless torture, numbed, she fainted once more.

Waking up, her body on the cold floor, shivering, blood dampened her clammy skin, she looked around her. Fear made her freeze.

Paul.

He was gazing at her like a predator. Salivating. His blue eyes gleaming. Eager to do her more damage. He was holding a stun baton. Electrical charge flowed on the tip as he approached her.

No! Her eyes flared wide. She would rather die than be raped. Her jaw clenched. But she was helpless. They made sure of that.

He kept on approaching. She averted her gaze. A mistake. The torture device touched her shoulder and she convulsed writhing on the floor.

Paul laughed. Delighted. He was unbuttoning his pants, pulling his vile dick, he forcefully squeezed her jaw open. She whimpered. Her lips bleeding from his fingernails. He slapped her. Hard. Leaving prints on her cheek.

He was so wrong if he thought she did not have any fight left in her. Her stomach clenched. She would allow him what he wanted. And get something in return.

Spitting blood, she looked up at him defiantly. Cupping her face, his other hand twisting her hair hard, he shoved his dick in her mouth. Sinclair felt like retching but she held on, waiting for him to lose his guard. He was moaning. Enjoying the feel of her.

Feeling him tremble, she took the chance for revenge. Breathing through her nose, she clamped her teeth on his length and bit will all her strength, not letting go. Her face moved from side to side. Like a dog eager to tear thru fresh meat. Ignoring the pain of the baton, on her scalp and her face, she didn't let go until she tasted blood, then she spits out his flesh.

All she could see was Paul on the floor, holding his genitals, writhing in agony. Content with the damage she had done, she blacked out. At least she accomplished something.

________________

Melody

Sylvia was pure evil. And Paul was a pervert bully trying to be tough in a world he didn't understand.

The damage they had inflicted on such an innocent woman was inhumane and diabolical.

And Melody was a part of it. Shame coursed through her body. The master abandoned them. Washed his hands off them. They were left alone. No protection coming from him.

All of this was for nothing. She had betrayed Sinclair, a sweet friend for nothing. Her baby sister, Lyrica was still out of her reach.

The bitch was pacing the floor, one gun in hand, she was running her trembling fingers on her hair. "Fuck! Let's just ask for ransom and disappear. That's the original plan, isn't it?"

She let Tanning's widow stew. Melody stiffened when she heard Sinclair screaming. "What is Paul doing?" Getting up, afraid for Sinclair, she was ready to take action.

"Oh, let him have some fun," Sylvia answered with an evil smirked.

"That was not part of the plan." Her hands were clenched to her sides. They had already damaged Sinclair beyond anyone's imagination. She felt sickened at the state her friend was in. Again, Melody was at fault. She contaminated the food and champagne with large doses of laudanum and opened the tank of carbon monoxide directly on the vent. And because of her, Sinclair was suffering.

Both women stilled when they heard Paul's animalistic howls of agony. What the fuck happened? There was no time to investigate further. A loud explosion threw them against the floor, followed by shouting and laser beams pointed at them.

The doors were busted, men in all black streamed in and all they could do was stay frozen in place.

-At last, help has arrived.-

________________