Chapter 74 Locked in a Pitch-black Room
William slid into the driver's seat, his hands trembling on the wheel. He hated the feeling clawing at his chest, hated that Isabella could occupy even a sliver of space in his mind. He would not allow it.
He drove back to the city and headed straight for the hospital.
The moment Juniper saw him, she rushed forward. "William, where did you take Isabella? I can't find her anywhere."
William let out a breath. "You're lying in a hospital bed and you're still worried about her?"
Tears welled in Juniper's eyes. "I took her parents' love away from her. I trapped you by my side. Of course she's angry. I just never thought..." She wiped at her cheeks. "I never thought she'd actually try to kill me. It hurts so much."
William stepped closer and rested a hand on her shoulder. "Don't be upset. I've dealt with her. She won't dare touch you again."
"Then tell me where she is."
Juniper burned with curiosity. She had asked around, called in favors, and come up empty.
William withdrew his hand. "You don't need to know. Just focus on getting better."
Juniper lowered her head, playing the part of the wounded innocent. Inside, she prayed Isabella would never come back.
At Blackthorn Compound, Alvin gave Isabella two days to rest. Just long enough for the wounds to scab over. Then he had her dragged into a pitch-black cell.
The cell was narrow and stank of rot and filth. Worst of all was the silence. A suffocating, absolute silence.
Most people broke within hours.
Isabella pounded on the door. "Let me out! Put me back in the cage, anywhere but here!"
"Please, I'm begging you!"
"Let me out!"
The cage had sunlight. Voices. She had never been afraid there.
But this place was hell.
No one answered. Not a sound.
She beat the door until her hands went numb. Still nothing.
Then a piercing shriek tore through the air, so loud it felt like it split her skull. She clutched her ears and sank to the floor.
"Stop it! Get away from me!"
"Beatrice, I'm scared. Help me. Please don't leave me here."
"Beatrice, take me with you. Please."
She buried her head between her knees, trying to block out the noise. It did nothing.
Through the monitor, Alvin watched with satisfaction. This time, she would learn.
At Nightfall Club, in a private VIP room, Juniper reclined in a man's arms. She should have been in the hospital.
The man tilted her chin up. His left hand was missing its pinky finger. She leaned in to kiss him, but he pushed her away.
"Did you find out? Where is Isabella?"
He pulled her back against him, his hand sliding over her hip and squeezing. "Don't be so cold, Juniper. We've slept together, remember? Does William know what kind of snake you really are? You had me burn Beatrice alive, and now you want her sister dead too."
"Lester, don't act like I used you. You've been dying to destroy William for years. We're just helping each other."
Lester Harrison raised his left hand, the stump of his missing finger still visible. William had cut it off himself. That debt would be paid.
"Then help me. Once I marry William, I can get you access to their company files. But first, Isabella has to die."
Lester grabbed her face. "I love how vicious you are. You and William are a perfect match."
Juniper shoved his hand away. "Exactly. We're meant for each other. No one will tear us apart."
Her phone buzzed. William's name lit up the screen. She shot Lester a warning look, pressed a finger to her lips, and answered sweetly.
"William, what made you call?"
William's voice was sharp with urgency. "I'm at your room. Where are you?"
He had come to check on her and found the bed empty.
Juniper's heart skipped. He still cared. "I couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk. I'll be right back. Wait for me."
She hung up and grabbed Lester by the tie, yanking him close. "Do what I ask, and I'll make it worth your while."
Lester smacked her ass. "Isabella's at Blackthorn Compound. They've torn her apart. She's not coming back."
Blackthorn Compound?
Juniper froze for a beat, then smiled. She had known William wouldn't let Isabella off easy, but she hadn't expected this.
"Perfect. Those men are animals. With her fragile body, she won't last. They'll destroy her completely."
Pleased, she kissed him before leaving.
Lester licked his lips. He loved bad women, especially William's women. They fascinated him.
Years ago, William had bankrupted his family, driven his parents to suicide, and severed his finger. Revenge would come slowly, methodically.
He would drag William into hell and make sure he never crawled out.
Juniper rushed back to the hospital. William looked agitated.
She took his hand. "William."
He pulled away instinctively. "Where were you for so long?"
His tone lacked its usual patience. Juniper explained quickly, "I walked through the park. It took a while to get back. What's wrong? You seem upset."
William frowned. "That night on the roof. What did you say to her?"
Juniper blinked, caught off guard. She hadn't expected him to bring it up again after all this time.
"I talked about Godmother. I mentioned Beatrice. I don't know why, but she just snapped. She started screaming at me, hitting me. No matter how much I begged, she wouldn't stop. She wanted to strangle me."
Was that really what happened?
William couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Isabella was jealous, yes. She had lashed out before. But that night, the hatred in her eyes had been different. Raw. Murderous. She had been ready to die if it meant taking Juniper with her.
What could push someone that far?
He had found no answers, so he came to Juniper.
So he hadn't come because he missed her. He came to ask about Isabella.
Watching the conflict in his eyes, Juniper's stomach twisted. Was he starting to care about Isabella?
She clenched her fists. She couldn't let William realize his feelings. Isabella had to die. Soon.
When he didn't respond, Juniper gave a soft cough. "She hurt my throat when she choked me. It still hurts to talk."
William snapped back to attention. "Rest. I'll make sure the hospital gives you the best treatment. And the person who hurt you? I promise she'll suffer for it."
He had warned Isabella. She hadn't listened. Now she would pay the price.