Chapter 87: Can't Trust Anyone

Chapter 87: Can't Trust Anyone
Sophie

“Shut up!” Constantine shouted. I felt such a sharp force against my cheek that it sent me flying back down on the bed. His backhanded swing left a sting as mighty as a whip. I pulled my hand away from my face to see a small line of blood.

With renewed strength, I kicked him with both feet as hard as possible. In his inebriated state, I had caught him off guard, and he took a few steps back.

“REESE! HUNTER!” I screamed again as I pulled myself to the headboard.

“I am the master of this house, Sophie, but you can call me Daddy,” he said. I couldn’t stop the gag reflex, a visible sign of repulsion.

“Now, that is something I will never do. There is only room for one Daddy Dom in my life, and it is certainly not you, you cock-sucking, egotistical, anus-licking abominable assoholic son of a crack whore!” I spat at him. I didn’t know a man could get that shade of red, but Constantine did.

He lunged for me again when Reese’s strong voice boomed from the open doorframe. “What the fuck is going on here?” Constantine stopped his pursuit and turned to his nephew.

“Nothing, nephew. Go back to bed. Sophie and I were having a little chat,” he said, gritting his teeth and turning his attention back to me. I hugged a pillow, trying to hide behind it. Reese finally looked at me and shouted, “What the fuck happened to your face?” He must have seen the bloody mark. I could feel my face swelling, which was tender once the adrenaline started leaving my body. I just pointed to Constantine.
Reese pinched the bridge of his nose. “Uncle, you are drunk. Go to bed. Now. Sophie is off-limits. She has already been punished, and she needs her rest. You overstepped tonight, and I will inform Grandpop in the morning.”

“You will do no such thing, boy. I am the master of this house, not you!” Constantine spat, getting right in Reese’s face. That was not the best idea because Reese hauled back his fist and released it right in his Uncle’s jaw, knocking the man out. He whipped out his phone and made a quick phone call.

Security men removed him and the guard from the door a few minutes later. “I hope he gets a cactus shoved up his ass without lube,” I muttered under my breath, but Reese heard as he just shook his head. I’m pretty sure I saw him smile briefly.

Reese spent several minutes cleaning up my face while a servant brought up an ice pack before tucking me back into bed.

For the next three days, I stayed mainly in my room. The weather was turning too cold to go outside. Maggie was my main company source, but I decided keeping my distance from everyone was better. Reese and Hunter visited, too, but I remained silent and stared out the window.

I filled a notebook with sketches of Matlock, Asher, and Zion. I find myself longing for them. But now, I fear I cannot trust anyone.

I ignore the chatter by the door like I usually do. Maggie opens the door, but she seems rushed and flustered. She enters the closet and returns with some black pants, shoes, and, to my surprise, a bra! She comes straight over to me, pulling the covers off.

“Maggie? What are you doing? What is going on?” I ask as she fumbles with a set of small keys and begins trying each key on my shackled ankle.

“We need to leave, like now! It would be best if you got dressed before they come back,” she mutters, trying another key.

“What? You are not making any sense!” I ask, still confused.

“They are all gone. Ignatius, the Uncle, Reese, Hunter. All were gone, and most of the guards, too. I sent the guard outside your door to grab something from the other side of the house. We have a few minutes. This may be the only time we can escape. Let’s go!” she exclaims, and the shackle clatters to the floor.

“Okay!” I exclaim as I push off the bed. I quickly put the clothes on and ran with her to the door.

“Oh shit. Hold on!” I pulled my hand away from Maggie’s and sprinted to the bathroom despite Maggie's protests. “SOPHIE!” she hissed. Her colorful vocabulary was intriguing.

I rushed inside the bathroom and bent down to open the cabinet under the sink. I kneeled to reach the back panel and felt the rim with my fingers. There was a small gap in the back between the two support beams behind all of the pipes. Soon, my fingers found the familiar cloth, and I grabbed it.

Maggie stood at the bathroom door, watching me as I climbed out and put the pouch in the pocket of my sweater dress. She then handed me my Ugg boots, which I had forgotten to slip on, before grabbing my hand again and pulling me out the door.

She closed the door behind us, and we started walking down the hallway. We passed the main foyer and went to the second floor on the other side of the house. We heard loud footsteps on the stairs as we entered the next hallway. We both halted our movements to listen.

Luckily, the footsteps retreated, and we each released our breath. Maggie brought me to a spare room. The furniture was covered, and dust filled the air, assaulting my nose.

She led me to the closet, pulling me inside. The closet smelled like mothballs, old people, and mildew. Maggie quickly moved the clothes in the back of the closet to the side and pushed on a panel, which revealed a small corridor.

“This house is actually older than it looks. This is a servant’s pathway. It was boarded up when the whole house was remodeled, but they kept the original structure. I learned about this from one of the servants a few years ago. Come!” Maggie said, stepping through the threshold. I followed her, and she quickly hid our path. She pulled a flashlight out of her pocket, showcasing the dark, cemented room with an iron rod staircase in the corner. There were also two backpacks by the wall.

She handed me one before we descended the stairs in silence. When we reached the first floor, I could hear the hustle and bustle of the servants behind the wall, but Maggie kept going down. We went into the basement.

“I know a safe place in the city. It’s an apartment on the other side of town. We can stay there for a day or two. We can get a phone, and you can call whoever you want,” Maggie whispered as we made our way through a dark, moldy tunnel. We eventually came to a set of strong, steel storm doors. Maggie pushed one of the doors open, and we crawled out on the other side of the property. It opened up to a house next door.

I followed Maggie mindlessly while we kept to the alleyway, walking quietly and quickly through the affluent neighborhood.

We started walking down another street, chatting to pass the time. Maggie looked behind her, and her eyes widened. “SHIT!” she exclaimed. I looked behind me and saw three blacked-out SUVs speeding down the street. Shit was right.

We both started running, our feet hitting the pavement. The colder air was biting my lungs. We turned down another street just as the SUVS sped up to block us, forcing them to turn around.

A metro train stop came into view, and the train pulled into the station. We pumped our legs hard, jumping over the turnstiles, somehow making it onto the train before the doors closed. We saw several men in black jumping the turnstile as the train pulled away. We both collapsed on the closest seats, laughing at our luck.

Maggie grabs a hoodie out of her backpack. “I am going to get off at the next stop. I don’t know if they will be there waiting, but we will have better luck if we split up. If they are there, I can run around buying you time. Here, take this. This will tell you how to get to the safe house. Keep your head down. Stick close to the buildings. Don’t trust anyone. They have eyes and ears everywhere, including the police,” Maggie instructed, handing me a piece of paper.

“Even if I don’t meet you, you can call Master Anderson, and they can come get you. The key can be found behind the light fixture outside the door. This is my stop,” Maggie said breathlessly before pulling me into a hug. “Be free, Sophie. Good luck!”

“Be careful. I’ll see you soon,” I responded. I watched her get off the train and walk towards the exit, only to sprint away out of sight.

Three stops later, I disembarked and made my way through the city, following the directions to the letter. I walked, took a bus, and walked some more. I kept my head down and hoped not to draw attention to myself.

I was beyond grateful for Maggie’s help and kindness. I don’t know what I would have done without her. She is the only one who has always been faithful to me. My whole life has been a lie. The men I grew up loving only wanted me for power. I have crazy people after me for power. I have no idea if the Andersons are using me for power. I can’t trust anyone. Maggie is my only friend. I am resolved for both of us to get out of this shit-hole situation alive and together.

Finally, after several hours of roundabout directions, I reached the apartment building on the other side of the central city. I walked into the building and headed to the elevator. There are nineteen floors, and I hit the twelfth. I was nervous and excited.

I quickly find apartment 1209, about halfway down the hall. Reaching up to grab the key, I sigh in relief that it is there. I got nauseous as I turned the key to unlock my new sanctuary; something nagging at the back of my mind that something wasn’t right.

I walked into the apartment, noticing the lights were on. I put the key on the end table. I walked further into the space, which led to a large living area.

“Hello, Sophie.”

Hunter and Reese were sitting on the sofas. Maggie was sitting in a chair, and guards bordered the entire room. I swallowed that invisible ball in my throat.

“Sophie!” Maggie said, running towards me. She embraced me in a bear hug before whispering, “I’m so sorry.”

“What?” I ask in shock as I feel a hand reach into my pocket and pull out the pouch I have been hiding. Maggie gives me an insincere shrug and starts walking back to the guys.

“NO!” I try to lunge for her, but three guards are on me like white on rice. She takes the pouch to Hunter, who grabs it and opens it with Reese looking over his shoulder. His face lights up when he sees the small jeweled key. “This was in the vault in Alaska, wasn’t it?” Hunter asks, looking at me. My silence sadly gave him the answer. I tried to fight the men, but they pinned me pretty well.

He pulls Maggie into his side and plants a long, passionate kiss on her lips. “You’ve done well, Mags,” he praised her. Her face lights up with a pink blush.

“Maggie!” I exclaim. “Why? You’re my friend. I trusted you!” I say defeated.

“I love him,” she responded quickly.

“Hm, and you have served me well, my dear. You are now free,” Hunter said, kissing her once more.

“Really?” her face lights up even more.

“Yep.” Then, a shiny pistol comes from Hunter's back, and a loud BANG fills the space.