“Jaslyn,” Jasper barks as he enters the hallway, finding the two of us on the ground. “What the fuck are you doing back here?”
The color drains from her face and her body tenses at the sound of his voice. “You were gone for quite some time and I wanted to make sure you were okay.” She’s lying, but she plays it off with her meek voice and the fear that vibrates through her. That, the fear, is the only truth.
“Bullshit,” he growls as he bends down and wraps his hand around her bicep. “Don’t you trust me, baby?” he croons sarcastically and sadistically. Jaslyn winces as his fingers dig into her skin as he roughly hauls her to her feet.
Fuck no.
“Get your fucking hand off her,” I demand, inching farther into his space.
Jasper glares down at me before a grin forms on his face and laughter flows from his lips. “I’m sorry… are you trying to tell me what to do with my fiancée?”
“Let go of her, now.”
Jasper turns his head away from me, directing his gaze at Jaslyn. “Did I hurt you, baby?”
Jaslyn keeps her eyes on his and shakes her head once.
“See.” Jasper smiles innocently, looking back at me. “No harm, no foul. You thought you saw something that you didn’t.”
I know what the fuck I just saw and she’s covering it up out of fear.
She doesn’t need him, but what does he have over her that keeps her bound to him?
With a hardened stare, my gaze doesn’t waver from his hollow eyes and the same innocent smile is plastered on his face.
“Now, if we’re done here, I do need to be getting my fiancée home.” Jasper reaches out and pats my shoulder. “Don’t forget about the contract.”
The contract.
My eyes bounce back and forth between Jasper and Jaslyn as the envelope burns through the palm of my hand. He doesn’t notice when Jaslyn’s eyes meet mine, he doesn’t see the way her body slightly softens under my gaze. He doesn’t feel the shift in the air, the peace in the calm, her trusting a stranger more than the man she’s supposed to marry.
She’s not safe with him, but she will be if I’m there.
Extending my arm, I hold out the envelope for him. “Take it,” I grunt, shoving it into his hand. “I accept your offer.”
Jasper glances down at the envelope and back at me, raising an eyebrow. “You didn’t even read it.”
“I’m good with whatever it says.”
Narrowing his eyes at me, he tilts his head to the side as he assesses me. A moment passes and he’s back to smiling at me. “Very well.” He nods his head, satisfied with my decision. “Come by the house tomorrow, I need you to sign the official document and then we’ll get you moved in.”
I give him a curt nod and step to the side as Jasper glances to the door.
“I look forward to us working together.” He nods. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Axel.”
I remain silent as Jasper takes the lead and begins walking for the door.
“You’re making a huge mistake,” Jaslyn whispers sadly as Jasper drags her past me. Following them with my eyes, I turn around just in time to see him shoving her out the door.
Jaslyn’s words should have me second guessing and she might be right, but it’s a mistake I plan to make with an ulterior motive.
It’s a mistake getting in bed with the enemy, but maybe it will get Jaslyn out. She’s paralyzed by her fear of him and she deserves to be free.
And I will make a million mistakes to make sure that that happens.
Chapter Six
Jaslyn
SLOWLY OPENING MY EYES, my head throbs in protest as I lift it from the plush white pillow. The sun is warm on my skin as it shines through my windows, casting its bright rays across the room. My eyes blink rapidly as they struggle to adjust to the burning light. Groaning in defeat, I drop my head back onto the bed and close my eyes, wincing as I roll onto my back.
Stretching out, I wiggle my toes and my ankles ache as I gently move them. Rolling an ankle while wearing heels is an occupational hazard. It’s bound to happen. Walking in heels is hard enough but trying to keep your balance as someone drags you or shoves you is even harder. A sprained ankle is expected at that point.
If it were broken, I would know and I’m grateful that it isn’t. Broken bones warrant a trip to the hospital and then come the questions. The hospital walls are painted thick with my lies and it’s only a matter of time before the paint starts to chip.
Lying on the bed, I wait until my eyes adjust to the light before dragging myself out from under the covers. With every step to the bathroom, I tense as a flash of pain shoots throughout different parts of my body. Looking into the mirror, I’m met with a black eye and a fat lip. It’s my signature look when I’m locked away at home. Jasper made arrangements for me to stay here, even though he’s been gone for hours, and after the damage he did last night, disobeying him is not on my to-do list.
♦♦♦
The night before
Jasper’s fingers dig into my skin as he drags me outside of the building. Desmond is already waiting for us by the car, watching with a frown as I trip over my feet. A wave of disdain passes through his eyes as Jasper tightens his grip on my arm. My ankle gives out and I release a cry as it rolls to the side, sending me onto the ground on my knees.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” Jasper mutters angrily as he hauls me back to my feet. Pulling me in front of him, he roughly shoves me into the back seat of the car. The fresh scrapes on my knees slide against the leather seat, tearing the skin further.
Slipping in beside me, Jasper sits down and wraps his hand around my arm as Desmond closes the door behind him. Jerking his wrist, Jasper spins me toward him and drives his fist into my face as I turn to him. His knuckles hit me on the side of my face, coming in direct contact with my orbital bone and the pain singes my nerve endings as it engulfs my eye.
The force behind the blow sends my head crashing into the window. Blood rushes to my ears as they ring, and everything instantly goes black.
Slowly peeling my eyes open, I run my tongue over the deep gash in my bottom lip, tasting the blood as my vision grows clearer. Glancing out the window, I see that we’re driving… for how long, I have no idea. I don’t know how long I was unconscious.
I’m still slumped against the door and my mind is stuck in a fog as my head throbs violently.
Sitting upright, I wince as my head protests my movement as I straighten myself. Jasper’s hand is on me within the blink of an eye and I brace myself, anticipating his anger again.
“I swear to God, I can’t take you anywhere,” he seethes as his fingertips dig into my skin, leaving their mark. “I told you to wait for me, but no, you just can’t fucking listen. Why the hell were you sneaking around, following me?”
“You were gone for a while and I needed to know that you were okay.” It’s a lie, but it flows effortlessly from my lips.
Jasper laughs harshly and roughly pulls me against him as he breathes in my face. “You’re just a nosy little cunt,” he growls as he grabs a fistful of my hair. “Looks like someone needs another lesson on obedience.”