Fading Into the Dark (The Layla Duet #2) Read online

  My will to survive grows stronger as I look this monster in the face. That’s all it takes, it’s do or die. It’s kill or be killed.

  “You are missing one very important thing,” I say.

  “What’s that, love?” he responds.

  “I choose me,” I state, and his eyes widen when he notices my hand comes up to jam him in the throat. He gasps and falls backwards, and I waste no time. I jump on him and start whaling as hard as I can. Punch after punch after punch. He grunts under me and then grabs both my arms, head-butting me. My vision blurs as I try to blink myself back to reality.

  Hyde grabs me by my throat, and that’s all I needed; to feel his hands grip tightly. With my eyes closed because I still can’t see, I grasp his arm and bring my elbow around, jamming it down where his arms meet my throat. That makes him loosen his grip, and he gives me that split second to move back and elbow him in the nose.

  “You fucking bitch!”

  I bring his head down to my knee and he falls backwards. I look around quickly, searching for a weapon to use. When I come up with nothing, I make a quick decision.

  Hyde groans on the floor, and I choose that moment to flee. Not wanting to make it obvious, I quietly make my way down the stairs and into the kitchen. There are no knives, because they’re smart enough not to leave any lying around. They thought of everything.

  “What are you doing?” I hear, and when I turn the guard is staring at me with weary eyes.

  “I’m hungry,” I stammer and he tilts his head in question. I probably look like I’ve just been in a fight. My leggings and fitted tee cling to me as sweat drips down my body. My curly blonde hair has been tousled, and I most likely look a mess.

  “Layla!” Hyde screams, tumbling down the stairs. The guard’s eyes widen as he lunges for me, and my instinct kicks in again. I secretly thank Eric, my best friend, for teaching me self-defense.

  I duck when he jumps at me, making my way behind him. My arms reach up and grab his neck, twisting it hard, just the right way. I hear a snap, knowing I killed him. He falls to the floor in a thump.

  Hyde makes his way to the kitchen in a fit of rage, but I’m just getting started. I smirk at him, feeling a little crazy but strong at the same time. His eyebrows rise in an almost proud manner. “You killed one of my men?” he states and I put both my hands up, ready to fight.

  “Looks like my lovely Layla has some spark in her.”

  “I’m not your anything,” I croak, and he smiles.

  “You really want to fight me, Layla? Do you think you can defeat me?” I tilt my head to the side, look him right in the eye. “I know I can…”

  He runs towards me, ready to grab me. I duck down fast and punch him as hard as I can in his groin. His face turns red as he grabs himself in pain. I shoot my hand back up to crack him in the face, which sends him flying back again. He is on the floor, so I grab a frying pan and start smashing him in the head as hard as I can. I don’t stop until I hear a crack and then blood oozes from his skull. With trembling hands, I drop the pan and make a run for it. The door is nearby, and I’m praying there is no one behind it.

  Opening the door, the sun hits me directly in the face. I run as fast as my feet will carry me. The driveway is long and narrow.

  Gasping for air, I still continue to run. The best thing I can do is try and control my breathing, so that’s what I do. I pay attention to the sounds outside while running as quickly as possible and controlling my breaths.

  I can smell freedom, I can touch it. I can picture Cade’s face as I run down the driveway and up the street. Someone is bound to drive by, and when they do I pray they stop. I’m not sure how long I run, but a house comes into view. A hysterical laugh makes its way out of my mouth. I can’t believe how close I am to going home. My heart is pounding so loud my ears are thumping.

  Running up the farmer’s porch of a ranch-style home with chipped yellow paint and rickety shutters, I bang on the door.

  “Anyone there?” I yell. “Help me!” I continue banging on the door.

  It flies open to an older woman with wide eyes. My appearance is probably pretty scary. “Can you call the police? I’ve been kidnapped,” I huff, out of breath.

  “Oh dear!” The kind older lady brings me into her home, and in that moment I know it’s over.

  My body is being lifted; I try to struggle but I’m told to relax. “Please, no more drugs!” I yell, and the kind voice is trying to soothe me. I continue to move back and forth while hearing sirens blaring. When I open my eyes, there is a man above me in what looks like a uniform. I look around and realize I’m in an ambulance. I sigh and look up at the man again. He starts to ask me questions but my mouth can’t seem to make sounds. I hear a horrific sob come out of my mouth.

  “Cade! Cade Teller!” I sob. “Please, I need you to call him, please!” I beg, and he nods. He tries to calm me down, but I’m so shaken up.

  “I am just going to give you something to relax.” I shake my head no, because I don’t want any drugs in my system.

  He does it anyway, poking me with a needle, then sleep takes me under.

  “Beep, beep, beep…” The sounds of beeping get my attention as I come out of a deep sleep. My hand feels warm. I look down and someone is holding my hand, hunched over my bed. I am in the hospital and I can see right away it’s Cade holding my hand, laying his head on my leg.

  “Cade…” I rasp, and his head pops up to meet my eyes. His face says it all, regret.

  “Fuck, baby.” He stands up and brings me close to him, wrapping his arms around me. My arms instinctively go around him and our bodies mold together. He is shaking, I feel him crying.

  My heart cracks wide open when I feel wet tears on my neck. He pulls back to cup my face. “Are you okay?” he breathes, and all I can do is nod while silent tears stream down my face.

  “I’m so sorry, baby. I failed you, Layla. I should have looked harder, I should have fought harder.” I can tell he has really beat himself up over my kidnapping, and I feel bad I did that to him. It wasn’t his fault, it never was.

  He looks the same, although his dark hair is shorter at the top. He still has the same green eyes I’ve dreamt about for so long.

  “The police are outside, waiting to take a statement.”

  “They are?”

  “Yeah, they found that house you were held up in for so long; they also found Hyde beaten to death. Was that you?”

  “Yes, I finally had the perfect opportunity so I took it.”

  “Baby, you are the strongest, bravest woman I’ve ever met.”

  “I’m just so happy to see you again, Cade. I’ve dreamt about this moment for months.” I give him a watery smile and continue to hug him. The feel of him this close to me is surreal. Finally, I have him back, and with those horrible people out of the picture we can finally move forward and be happy.

  There’s a knock at the door, so we pull apart. Cade’s eyes widen as the last person in the world I thought would walk into my room just did.

  “Sherri? What are you doing here?” I ask, afraid of her answer. Sherri is the woman who’s wanted Cade for so long. They work together at his bar. She is his bartender. Not once have I thought he would rekindle anything with her while I was away.

  “Sherri, I told you to wait in the waiting room.” Cade reprimands her like she’s a child.

  “I just wanted to see if you guys are okay and if you needed anything.” She smiles softly.

  “We’re fine,” he says almost too quickly, trying to rush her out.

  “Am I missing something?” I say, looking back and forth between the two of them. Cade gets up and runs his hands through his hair. She steps forward, casually reaching for his arm.

  “Babe, you have to tell her eventually,” she whispers. Wait, did she just call him ‘babe’?

  “No fucking way,” I murmur. I am in complete denial. No, this is not fucking happening to me right now.

  “Layla, let me explain,” he says, and
I give him a look of disgust. My ears start to ring, and I feel like I’m going to faint. After everything I’ve been through, this cannot be how this ends. Please, no.

  “All this time I was trying to come back to you and you’re fucking someone else!” I screech, on the verge of a mental breakdown. I let out a terrible gut-wrenching sob that makes me feel like I can’t even breathe.

  My machine starts to go crazy and he’s yelling at Sherri to leave. Nurses come flying in and try to calm me down.

  “Layla, I’m so sorry, baby, I’m so sorry!” Cade screams as the doctors push him out of my room. When he finally leaves, all you can hear are the echoes of my cries and despair throughout the room.

  My shoulders are shaking. I am in shock I think. Was I gone so long that he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants? He is not who I thought he was. I don’t want to hear whatever excuse he has this time. I am fucking done.

  This just doesn’t seem real. After calming down, all I want to do is cry, alone. I ask everyone to leave so I can wallow in self-pity, and that’s exactly what I do. I sit there and stare out the window of my hospital room, wondering how I got to this place and why.

  I make sure the nurses know that if Cade wants to come back to see me, he can. It’s just not in me to cut him completely out of my life, and as much as I say I don’t want to hear his excuse I want to see his beautiful face. Even if it’s only for one last time. I just don’t want that bitch anywhere near me, afraid of what I’ll do or say.

  I might be upset with Cade right now but the nurse gave me a sedative and I am about to fall asleep. I needed to calm down even though the last thing I should have right now is more drugs. At this point I will take anything to numb this pain.

  He’s yelling at me, telling me I’m worthless and used. That no one will ever want me again. His voice echoes through the basement in the most terrifying way. I can’t seem to escape his wrath. The negative energy that’s being tossed my way has my body locked up tight. Jessica is crying and bleeding on the floor as I watch Hyde kick her repeatedly. He wants to show me how bad it could be and how lucky I am to be in a position to take over an operation so successful. I want no part of it, none of it. If he lets Jessica go and promises me he will never hurt another girl again, I would do as he asks. But what he wants is not just me, he wants a partner. Someone who will act just as evil as he portrays himself to be.

  “Stop!” I shout. “Leave her alone! You are going to kill her!” He stops his onslaught and turns toward me. His hand winds up and he punches me in the side of the head. That’s when I see nothing; black obscures my vision and white spots start to form. There is nothing I can do anymore. He is going to hurt me repeatedly, he is going to show me over and over again that he is in charge. If I decide not to do as he says my life will be cut short, because I’m either going to die from abuse or a broken heart.

  My eyes open and I see that I’m still in the hospital. It was just a vivid memory of my time with Hyde.

  I don’t know what happened to Jessica, but I will certainly tell the police about her and everything I know. When I glance over I notice Cade. He is sleeping on the chair near my window. I sigh and feel consumed with sadness over the fact he went to Sherri for comfort.

  Does he love her?

  His eyes flutter open and I give him a small smile. His face is filled with anguish. “Layla,” he whispers. “Baby, I am so sorry. She was just there when I felt lost. I thought you were dead. We even had a ceremony.”

  “Fuck…” I mutter. “Cade, I’m sorry you had to go through that.” He walks over to my bedside and grabs my hand. “I never stopped loving you, not for a second.”

  “If that was true, you wouldn’t have jumped in bed with her the first shot you had. I am not okay with that, Cade. I was gone less than a year! Did you even look for me?”

  “Shit, Layla, of course I fucking looked for you!” I jump at his outburst.

  He’s obviously upset, but so am I. I haven’t even had time to process what happened to me yet.

  “Cade, I think it’s best if you leave…” I tell him.

  “I just got you back and you want me to leave?”

  “Yes, I think I do,” I whisper sadly.

  His eyes fill with tears, and he stands and paces back and forth.

  “Where are you going to go?” he asks.

  “Back to South Carolina, with Keith.” I add that little dig to watch his facial expression.

  “Cade, don’t give me that look, just stop,” I say, annoyed. “Where is all my shit?”

  “I have everything in storage,” he tells me and I nod. “If you don’t mind, I would be grateful if you could contact Keith for me so I can have him help me move all my things home.”

  “I can take care of everything for you, Layla. Come back home with me, please,” he pleads.

  “No, I’m all set. I’ve been through hell. I need to get the fuck out of here and away from you!” I cry.

  “She means nothing, she was just there when I needed someone and I’m sorry. If I could take it all back I would. Oh shit, this is all my fault, baby. I’m so fucking sorry,” he cries and walks towards me. Cade grabs me and wraps his arms so tight around my middle. My arms instinctively wrap around his neck. My head lays on his shoulder while I weep.

  Our bodies crave each other still, I can feel it; I can feel his sorrow matching my own.

  “I will do anything to gain your trust back, baby. I love you so damn much.”

  My head shakes back and forth. When I pull away from his, then his face shows it all. His handsome, gorgeous face is breaking my heart.

  “I can’t, not right now, Cade. I need time to think.” I try to give him a small smile.

  “Well, I’m helping you with whatever you need. I can’t just walk away,” he swallows.

  “Call Keith; he will help me like he always does,” I add.

  He clenches his fists to his sides and nods. “Whatever you need, it’s done,” he tells me and I thank him, even though my heart is shattering.

  When he leaves the room, I choose not to cry. This time, I choose me. I am free from my demons that almost destroyed me.

  There is nothing left for me to worry about. Hyde is dead and his entire operation has been compromised. It’s finally over, and I can finally breathe.

  Hours go by, I continue to stare out the window in disbelief. I am finally free but I don’t feel that way. My mind feels lost, and I know Cade is the reason for that. I still love him and know he loves me, but betrayal is digging deep in my soul. He ruined any chance we had because he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. Sure, he thought I was dead. Well here I am, alive and breathing.

  My head falls to the side against the window. My hair falls forward, covering my tear- stained cheeks. I did try not to cry, I really did. I figure what’s one more cry.

  There’s a light knock on the door. I mumble “Go away.” No one responds, so I lift my head. My eyes widen at the sight of Eric. I gasp and he walks quickly towards me. Seconds later I am being wrapped into strong arms, holding me tight.

  Eric was my best friend. He saved me from being sold the first time. He was there for me, always.

  “Eric.” I shake in his arms, letting my tears flow. He massages my head. Eric is tall, strong, with a military-style haircut. He is a killing machine; I should be scared of him but I’m not. He would never hurt me, just anyone that messes with me.

  “Are you okay?” He asks, and just hearing him makes me smile.

  “I am now.” I sigh and enjoy the comfort of my good friend. He lets go of me, grabs my hand, and sits me down on the chair I was in near the window. He sits across from me, still holding my hand. He rubs my fingers and I enjoy his comfort.

  “I’m so sorry, Layla. We searched high and low for you,” he admits, and all I can do is nod. My head drifts to the window as I speak.

  “Cade moved on,” I whisper, still looking out the window.

  “He still loves you,” Is all he says, which only ma
kes this all the more confusing.

  Looking back into his eyes, I see regret shining and I try and soothe his worry away.

  “I’ll be okay so stop that sad puppy dog face you got going on there.” I smirk and he laughs.

  “I missed you, firecracker.” He smiles that beautiful smile I missed so much.

  “I missed you, too,” I softly admit. My eyes start to tear and he notices right away.

  “Come here,” he gruffs out while patting his leg for me to sit. I get up from my seat, still in my hospital gown. When I sit on his lap his arms wrap around my middle and my arms wrap around his neck. When I breathe him in and hold him tight, I finally feel at peace. Eric feels like a warm blanket. He is my safety net, always has been.

  Minutes go by and we still hold on to each other. His large hands rub my back, and instant awareness takes over when I realize Eric may mean more to me than I thought.

  When I pull back and stare into his beautiful eyes, I know. I know Eric cares for me but I still love Cade.

  I feel betrayed that he could move on so quickly.

  I kiss Eric’s cheek and thank him for stopping by.

  “You can’t get rid of me that fast.” He gives me a smirk. He follows me to my bed and I lie down, exhausted from today’s events.

  “You want to stay and wallow with me in self-pity? Then be my guest.”

  “There is nowhere else I’d rather be,” he murmurs. I lift my bed sheet for him to come lie down with me. He does and I rest my head on his hard chest, drifting off into a blissful sleep.

  After everything I have been through, there is one thing I can say. My friendship with Eric is saving me. He has been there for me since the moment I got out of the hospital. Cade tried to come back but I asked the nurses to keep him away. The last thing I want to do is hurt his feelings, but I need to think of myself. At this time in my life, I need to focus on healing. It’s been a week since I left Rhode Island and came back to South Carolina. Cade never called Keith, my best friend, to tell him I was alive. He still has no clue, and I’m mustering up the courage to go see him myself.