EVELEEN'S POV
The door shut behind us. I took a deep relief breath.
" Are you insane? You're just seventeen. He looks older than your father. " I scolded her.
She started crying, " He killed my parents and he had captured my brother. If I didn't do what he said, he will murder my brother too. " She said in a cracked voice. Tears were flowing continuously from her eyes. I could feel her pain as I went through the same pain. But Still my situation was totally different. Duante didn't kill my family.
" Shh! Stop crying. We don't have much time. I'll find your brother and then you haven't any need to do this marriage. " I wiped her tears.
She was crying. I knew this feeling. I would not let her do this. I placed my hand on her forearm. She cried in pain as my touch was giving her pain.
" What happened? " I asked her, removing her dupatta from her arm. She tried to stop me. But I still did. I sucked on my breath. Tears pierced in my eyes. It was awful, " He burnt your arm. " I asked with tears. She nodded her head and hugged me. She was sobbing on my shoulder. I let her. Maybe it could reduce her pain. She pulled back. I rested my hand on her cheeks, " I promise you. You'll not marry him. I'll find your brother. " I assured her.
" What if you can't? " she asked, wiping her tears.
" I'll shoot that beast, but I'll not let this happen to you." I said. I was he** sure about it. If she will marry him. It will be the beginning of her pain. She is a miner. I'll not let her walk in hell.
Her mouth gaped," No. " She shook her head.
" There's no more options. Thomas um he's not brother but like brother. I can ask for his help to arrange transport. You don't worry. " I told her.
" We should let them in before they suspect us. " Anita told me.
" You're right. " I wiped my eyes while looking in the mirror and setting up the dupatta.
" We're done. " I said out loud.
I was careful as Duante is so smart. His one glance and he'd know the truth. They came in. " We should go to the party. " Haidar said with a smile.
I was giving him my hatred look, " Let's go. " Duante whispered.
I spread my fake smile on my lips. He brought his hand near my face and slipped his fingers under my eyes. He gave me a suspicious look. I gulped hard.
He did not ask me anything. But I can not say, he didn't doubt me. He tugged me toward the party. Harder was walking ahead of us with Anita. I could hear the buzz and traditional music. Duante was by my side all the time at the party. I spotted Thomas in the crowd. He was among a group. All were near his age. I should go to Thomas. I said to him let me go.
" I'm your husband. He's not. " he snapped. He was angry. I know his look.
It hurted me, " He's like a brother to me. You can't trust me. I'm fine with that. At least trust your brother " I snapped back.
" Someone is looking like a diva. " Thomas said, coming at us.
I was relieved. I needed to talk to him. Without his help I can't help Amita to get away from him. " Thank you. " I smiled. I couldn't talk in front of Duante. So I asked him to dance with me.
" I need my brother's permission. " he looked at him.
I knew Duante wouldn't allow me, " I've to make a business call. Take care of her. " he said and excused himself.
I smiled and Thomas offered me his hand. I took it instantly as I didn't have much time. He held my hand. He was moving toward the dance floor, " I need your help. " I said.
He turned to face me, " Ain't you planning for a runaway? Brother will kill me. " he said.
" No, for my friend and her brother. " I explained everything to him. I was staring at him to answer me. I bit my bottom lip.
" Your husband will kill me. " he smirked.
" So you're not helping. " I asked.
" For you I can. " he gave me an assuring smile.
" Thank you, thank you so much. " I jumped in my high heels. He smiled wider.
" Calm down. I need to look into the matter more deeply. You'll not put yourself in trouble and will not do anything. You know brother. " He said without a smile.
I could understand his concern. I looked at my hand and nodded in yes.
I was still at the party and standing in the corner. I was waiting for Thomas to come. My phone pinged in my hand. I instantly clicked on the new text, I've followed Haidar. He has captured a kid in the basement. You will stay at the party. I'll do it. ' Thomas sent me a message.
I was near the basement. I didn't have spare time. So, I decided to do it on my own and Thomas will not allow me. I immediately typed a message - I'm feeling tired, going to my room. ' I sent it to Duante. I didn't want him to send his men to find me.
I went into the basement. Aisle was empty, no one was visible. Definitely Haidar didn't want anyone to see the kid. I was checking every door to find him. I saw a dark room with less light. I went in. A kid was tied in ropes on the chair. I sat down and removed the cloth from his mouth and ropes around his thin body. I freed him. Abruptly, black bulky hand pulled me up. He slapped me across my face. I felt on filthy ground, my cheek get numb. I tasted my own blood in my mouth.
" She's Duante's wife. " Second man said with dread.
" I don't know any Duante. " he replied.
He pulled my hair back. I groaned in pain. I saw a gun in the second man's hand. I couldn't let them kill me without my effort of survival and saving him. He was busy stopping him from hurting me. I tugged the gun from his hand and turned it to the bulky man who hit me.
" Sit on the chair. " I shoot near his feet to scare him. He obeyed and sat. I asked the second one to do the same.
" I'm not a danger. I can help. " he tied the man on the chair. Bulky one was cursing him. He raised his hands above his head, " I didn't harm you. Please ma'am, I didn't hurt you. Don't complain to my boss. " he pleaded.
I nodded and took the kid out of the basement. I met Thomas in the aisle.
" What are you doing here? " Thomas scolded me.
" I got the kid. Let's go. " I said, taking deep breaths.
" I told you, I'll do it. " he annoyed and glared at me.
" I did it anyway. We don't have time. " I said, moving from him.
" Wait!" He held my arm and stopped me. Oh God! Did I get the bruise? " What's this? Who did this? " he beckoned at my cheek. He angrily asked me.
" That ugly man hit her. Dee felt on the ground. " kid said in his sweet innocent voice.
" Brother is gonna devastate me. " he was looking scared this time.
" I'll put makeup on it. Their freedom is more important right now. " I said with pleading eyes, hauling him with me. I was clutching a gun in my second hand.
" It will open with a card key. Are you sure? She's in. " I asked Thomas.
" Yes, my men said. Get away from door. " he said, and brought his gun out.
" Someone will hear us. There's a kid with us. " I told him
" It's soundproof. Hey kid! close your eyes. '' he smiled at him.
Kid put his tiny hands on his eyes. Thomas shot the locked door and it was ready to open. It swung open. She was sitting on the floor crying. When she looked at her brother, her lips stretched in a huge smile. He rushed at us and hugged her brother.
" Did they hurt you? " she asked, kissing him on his cheek.
" I sat in a chair. They tied me. " he innocently replied to her.
" You should go now. " Thomas said, checking his phone screen, " Cab is here. "
" Is your jewelry Real? " I asked her.
Thomas gave me confused glare.
" He is clever. It's artificial. " she replied.
I removed my golden chain. It was given to me by my parents, " Take it. " I said.
" Why are you removing your jewelry? " Thomas asked.
" She needs money. I don't have money. So I'm giving her my jewelry, not your brother's. " I said.
" I've arranged everything. You do not need to do it. " He said.
" I understand. Keep the chain. My parents gave it to me. Sell it if you need money. " I said to her.
" You've already done a lot. " Anita said.
" Just keep it. " I shook my head.
" I'll keep it safe. " she said, touching the chain.
I gave my best smile to her, " Sell it if you need to. " I told her.
Anita veiled her face. She held her brother's hand. We fastly got out of the room and almost rushed through the aisle.
My heart beat forgot to beat when I saw Duante, his men, Haidar and his men were armed at the end of the aisle. I had to be strong. There was no time to show weakness. I drew my gun up, " Let us pass. " I demanded.
" You can, but not her. " Haidar glared at Anita in disbelief.
" She's also included in us. " I snapped.
" Drop it. " Duante said.
First I thought to explain everything to Duante and thought to ask his help. But if he would say no there would not be another way for Anita to get herself away from Haider, " You don't know anything. " I replied.
" I know. Drop it. " he said through his gritted teeth.
I couldn't take the chance, " No you don't." I said out loud, " She's not even eighteen. I know her. We're IG friends. He killed her parents and kidnapped her brother and forced her for this marriage. He burnt his arm. Please let us go. " I requested Duante, still my gun in my hand pointed at Haidar.
" She is my fiance. We got in a fight. Why is your wife making an issue of it? " Haidar said.
" He's lying. You can ask her." I looked at Anita.
" Evie is telling the truth. He killed my parents, kidnapped my brother and forced me to marry him. I don't want to marry him. " she said weeping and wrapping her arms around her brother.
" You bitch.." he enraged and stepped toward her to hit her.
" Don't you dare " I pointed my gun at him.
He didn't say anything just was glaring at me unblinking. Duante glared at him and he put his eyes down.
I was holding a gun in my good hand. " Nobody will come near us. " I told them.
Duante stepped near me. I didn't want this. He knows I'll not shoot him. He makes me feel weak, " Please, let her go. " I saw in his eyes.
He took steps toward me. I protested but I couldn't. He touched my bleeding lips, " Please let me help her. Everyone doesn't get Duante like me. " I whispered.
" Who did this to you? " he asked furiously.
" I did this. Now she is our captive. I will teach her in bed how to obey a man. " Haidar's man said with a loud laughter.
" You fucker. " Haider hit him.
Duante turned to face him. Fury could see in his eyes, " She's my wife. " he seethed and moved at him with rage. His hands were balled.
" Boss, he's new. " Haidar hesitantly said.
When he heard the boss from his boss's mouth. The man started to shiver, " I don't know this. I'm sorry. " he was on his knees, " I beg your pardon, sir. " He begged.
" Which hand do you use to touch my wife?" Duante demanded.
The man was pleading and joined his hands in front of him. Duante was glaring at him murderously.
He presented his right arm. He was sobbing and shaking from head to toe. All were staring in awe and horror.
" Take the kid away." Duante ordered.
His men took him in our room. Anita walked behind them as she wasn't ready to leave her brother alone.
Abruptly, he plucked out his arm from his body like an arm was pulled from a rubber doll. Loud scream crossed my bruised lips. His arm was laying on the ground, blood started to gather around it, away from its owner. My eyes were feeling heavy, tears were running down my cheeks. My eyes got blurry, " Cut his tongue." I heard a weak voice. I was feeling collapsed. I hit the ground with a thud and it went dark.
I opened my eyes. I rambled it around. My head was spinning. Brutal sight started to flash in my mind. Anita was in danger. I got up from my place. He was standing beside the bed filled with anger.
" I need to go? " I told him and put out my feet. Soft red carpet was beneath my feet.
I ran at the door, " You're not going anywhere. You shouldn't interfere in someone's personal matter. We're leaving now. " He announced in annoyance.
"No way! She ain't marrying that beast. And what personal life. She's seventeen." I snapped.
It added fuel to his anger. He held me tighter, " Enough! You're going with me now. " he enraged. I was sobbing and battling to get myself free.
Someone knocked at the door. " Get out. " He said loudly.
" Brother! " Thomas came in view, " She'll get hurt. " He said with concern.
He shot his furious glare at him. Thomas went quiet.
"Please! Please! Please! " I pleaded him.
I threw my head on his chest and wrapped my arm around him. His locked arms got loose. I found what I longed for, his gun. I took his gun from him and backed steps. I pointed the gun at Thomas. I was disappointed to do this but I haven't any option. I can't allow my friend to burn in hell. I was using him as a hostage. I knew he wouldn't do anything now. Thomas was nodding his head to tell me don't to do this.
" I'm sorry. I'll not hurt you, promise. " I whispered. I asked him to take me out of the room. I started to take steps. Duante was faster than I thought. He hit me with a pillow on my wounded hand and grabbed the gun from me. He toasted it to his man.
" I told you to behave. " he wrapped his fingers around my neck. His grip was soft on me but he was putting pressure on it. But my hand was hurting where he hit with the pillow.
" It was my plan. " I heard from Thomas, " Don't hurt her. " He said.
Silence spreaded in the room. I could hear footsteps coming at us. He removed his hand from my neck and squeezed me.
" Girl and her brother safely have been sent away to their grandparents. " Tann entered and said.
I was glaring at him in puzzlement.
" What are you saying? " Thomas asked.
" That girl who was going to marry Haidar. She has been sent away from here safe with her family. She didn't get married." he replied.
I closed my eyes and rested my head on Duante's shoulder. I was relieved and astonished to know he helped her.
Tears were streaming down my cheeks. He took steps away from me. He was pacing near Thomas, " So it was your plan. " he held him from his nape, " How dare you lie to me. " He slapped him brutally. He ruthlessly punched him in his face. It started to bleed from his mouth. " I know, it wasn't your plan. Say the truth. Why are you covering her? " He punched him in his stomach. He was groaning on the floor. His men had dug their eyes on the ground. He stood on the ground but staggered. Duante raised his punches to hit him. Immediately, I put myself between them. I knew he'd not hurt me that much. He beckoned his men and they picked Thomas up from the floor. There was blood on his shirt. I was shivering to think what he would do with me. He ended the distance, I lifted my feet to go back. He moved his long strides. He folded me in his arms, " You're not stepping out of your room until your exams. " He annoyed.
I hung my head in disappointment, " Ok." tears were streaming down. He gripped my wrist in his hand and led me out of this palace.
I didn't glance at him. Tears were rolling down my eyes. Thomas was hurt once again because of me. I turned back. I saw Thomas. His eyes were closed and he was still wearing his blooded shirt. Duante glared at me. I wiped my tears and straightened on my seat. Plane was about to take off. My neck was slightly painful.
We were back home for them but for me, My Cage. I was reading my book. I was considering what he did for her today. Being captured in this room was nothing, in comparison to Anita's happiness. That wasn't fair what he did to Thomas. I was feeling guilty about Thomas. Next time, I would never ask for his help. She got rid of unwanted marriage. She lost her parents. I thought to say thank you to Duante. I opened my note book and wrote THANK YOU on it. I tore the page and placed it on his pillow. I walked to the mirror. There was a bruise on my cheek. I saw my neck. There were no fingerprints of him, indeed it wasn't even paining now. I piled my book on the nightstand and plopped on the bed. I shut my eyes. I thought I would meet Thomas. His men were guarding the door. They wouldn't allow me to step out of it. Morning I would definitely talk to him and apologize. It was dead tired, sleep engulfed me immediately.
Duante's POV
I wanted to control her. She always worked against my desire. I listened to the recording. She wasn't like other girls I had dated. All the time she had proved herself brave. She must get it from her father. This couldn't work with me, in my world.
" I never thought you'd beat him. " Tann said.
" Nor me. " I said, clenching my hands.
Thomas knocked on the door. I motioned him to come in, " This will not repeat again in future. I lied, I'm sorry." He said. I didn't beat him, because he helped her. He lied to me.
" You should come to me. Instead of doing stupidly. " I glared at him.
" She's family. I can't allow her to deal with it alone. She was right this time." He said,
He didn't want me to hurt her. He spilled the words when I wrapped my fingers around her neck. I have fulfilled everything. He desired for his life after our parents were no longer part of our life, " I still remembered, sometimes you insisted on bringing a sister for you. " I whispered.
" You brought me a doll. " He smiled.
I lifted steps at him. I gripped him from his neck lightly. No one defied my eyes. But my wife did. My brother didn't share this problem with me. Because she thought she could do it on her own.
" I'm going to New York for business. My wife is your responsibility. No bruise on her body, no sneak out, can you do this for your family? Any problem, you'll come to me. You will not allow her to put herself in danger. You'll not allow her any stupidity." I made myself clear to him.
" Sure. I always wanted a sister. She's like a sister to me. I'll never allow her to do anything wrong. " he nodded.
" Good. " I patted his cheek.
" Triple the security. She's studying from home. I want the report every day before I go to bed. " I ordered Tann.
He bent his head and went out of the room.
Thomas would never go against my rules. This time he did because my wife found it wrong. She should come to me and ask for help. I would never hurt her if someone dared, he'd be in his grave or in pieces. I went back to my room. She was sound asleep. My eyes laid on a note on my pillow. I picked it up. It was written Thank You in her beautiful handwriting. I removed a lock of hair from her bruised face, careful not to hurt her. I pulled the drawer out from the table and got out the first aid box. I put the ointment on her bruise. It annoyed me, I should cut that bastard in pieces. She has to learn to obey me, I thought. I couldn't bear it, I didn't give anyone right to hurt her. She belonged to me. All rights were related to her solely mine.