Chapter 21 Broken promises
ANDERSON
The sharp ringing of the alarm close to my bed forced my eyes to open. I groaned loudly and turned to my side, slamming it shut.
My eyes darted to the clock on the wall, and I felt my heart skip a beat.
I didn't know what got into me last night to kiss Adriana Nox without her permission, but whatever it was, I loved it.
I chuckled and headed out of bed, then drifted into the bathroom for a mouthwash.
The smile on my face faded on my way into the bathroom when my eyes caught sight of my grandfather's favorite journey sticking out of the shelf.
I trudged towards the shelf and pulled the book out, then stared at the torn covers, sighing loudly.
He used to tell me stories of how he met a werewolf once, but the woman rejected him for her mate. I never believed him and thought it was all made up to keep me quiet and away from running around the fields.
Now, I regret not having listened to his words. I wish I had paid attention to his books, researched along with him, perhaps, that would have stopped my family from taking him away to a nursing home, where he died.
Coming from a reputable, wealthy family, it was seen as embarrassing to others.
After finding out that my father and his brothers had abandoned him in a rehab, I cut myself away from them when I had the chance.
I had come to Detroit after graduating from the police academy, and never contacted my father or siblings. The only one I was in contact with was my eldest sister, who would not let me go.
It has been nine years since I cut away from them after graduation and getting a job. Aside from my sister, no one else knew where I lived.
After coming across Adriana, it felt like we had a lot in common, especially the hatred towards our family.
I would not just help her, but would prove to my family when I finally meet them again that my grandfather wasn't wrong after all.
I would do anything to clear the name my father had tarnished.
The ringing of my phone tore my attention away from the journal. I dropped it back in its place and trudged to the table where my phone lay.
A loud sigh left my lips when I saw the name that flashed across the screen.
“You promised you won't call," I groaned when I accepted my sister's call.
“You got suspended?" She screamed.
I sighed and rubbed my forehead, not ready to hear her rants that early morning.
“Who told you?" I asked.
“None of your business!" She spat and paused.
“Why did they get you suspended?"
“None of your business," I repeated her words.
She scoffed loudly and muttered inaudible words over the phone.
“If you don't have anything else to say, I will end the call. I have a lot to do,” I said, earning another scoff from her.
"A lot to do? You got suspended, and you're not even worried about that? What kind of trouble did you get into this time, huh?” She snapped, and I narrowed my eyes.
“I have to go," I said and didn't wait for her next words before ending the call.
I cursed loudly and flipped the phone, then walked into the bathroom.
After washing up, I grabbed a bottle of water and headed out to Adriana's place to get her up like I promised.
All the way to her place, my heartbeat raced, and goosebumps spread over my skin.
But the excitement disappeared when I got to her place and rang the bell several times without getting any response.
When I got no answer after the sixth ring, panic set in.
The thought of those people harming her slipped into my mind, causing my belly to knot in horror.
“Adriana!" I growled loudly, not minding the disturbance I was giving the neighbors.
“Adriana!" I yelled again, but still got no response.
I slammed my leg on the door, and it pulled open.
I paused and tilted my head to the side, staring at the dark room.
What if something bad had happened to her?
I shook my head at the thought and didn't think twice before barging in. I turned on the lights and felt my heart tighten when I saw no one in the room.
Her furniture remained unmoved, and the wrappers of the snacks she seemed to have eaten the previous night were scattered over the reading table and the bed.
I began to trudge in slowly, darting my eyes around for any sign of a break in.
As I searched around, I found a paper stuck under the pillow on her bed and picked it up.
I ripped it open and scanned through the words scribbled on the paper.
I felt my breath cease as I began to read through the content.
‘Hey, Andy, I can tell you'll be disappointed when you get this note. It's painful that I won't get to see that color drain from your face when you read this note.
When I told you I wanted to go on a date, I didn't mean it would be today, nor tomorrow. Don't look forward to it, and don't bother looking for me either.
I've been scarred so bad that I won't ever give a second to anything other than bringing the people who hurt me down. I lost a lot of things that mattered to me, including myself.
If you ever feel bad for getting here late, then do me the favor of protecting Salvador. If I ever live, I'd love to see you both alive as well. You'll do that for me, right?
Also…your grandfather was right after all.’
I breathed out and staggered back, crushing the paper in my hand.
I felt my heart crush bit by bit as I stood in that empty room, devastated.
I finally realized things I had overlooked when I walked in. Her closet was left open, and the bag was gone.
She was gone, and she might never return.
I dropped to my knees and clenched my fist, shaking in rage.
I jerked up and matched towards the door, swearing silently to find her. But before I could reach the door, it pulled open, and a masked man walked in.
I stepped back, gripped with fear as I stared at him with widened eyes.
“Who are you?" I asked.
“Someone you should have avoided."
Before I could process what he could want, he slammed a rod into my belly.
Pain sparked through my body, and I felt my breath hitch. I dropped to the ground and spat out blood.
My heart raced and my body throbbed with pain as I struggled to get up.
A hard blow landed on my head, and darkness swallowed me up.