Burning Truths (Consume Me #2)

10. Kenna

Chapter Ten

KENNA

“You’ll see. He’s going to give back what they stole.”

My head bobs in agreement at my own words. I don’t wait for Jax to respond. Not that he can now that I’ve stitched his lips together.

“I’m sorry you got caught up in the middle, but Oakley should have kept her nose out of Kingston business.” I mindlessly run my hand through his stiff hair. Sweat soaked and filthy.

Oakleys blue hair pops into my head, but I shove the image away quicker than it arrives. My thoughts try to betray me even now. The scalpel pressed against his thigh is cold to the touch or maybe I’ve finally lost feeling in my hands. Jax doesn’t flinch when I press it into the junction of his hip, digging so deep I feel the tip hit a bone. Blood pours from the opening, pulling my gaze to the metal table that is now covered, dripping onto the floor.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Look at the mess you’ve caused.

Carving into muscle, my wrist twists and twirls, slowly drawing a picture. All thoughts escape me, my mind free of everything other than the task at hand, unaware of my next move until it happens. The beautiful crimson liquid entrancing me in a world of my own making.

“Did you know that they promised me to him? Hmmm?”. My hand grows tired, but still I continue anyway. “Yeah, they sold me like some fucking livestock.” A hollow laugh slips past my lips, “I bet Oakley didn’t know that. Or hell, maybe she did. She doesn’t seem like the type of chick to stand by while decisions are made.” I raise an eyebrow, but keep my eyes on the task at hand.

Smacking my lips I let out a dry laugh.

Hank is going to be so proud.

His blue eyes stare at the ceiling. No response. At first I would pray for him to pass out from the pain, even now my heart pinches behind the numb curtain hiding it, but I shove away those feelings.

You can’t feel for those who betray you. No matter how much you wish it wasn’t true.

You enjoy this, don’t you Killer.

My heart skips a beat at the name running through my head.

No. Nope. I’m not going there.

Oh come on, you know it’s fun painting pictures with the blood of those who are traitors.

But was he a traitor or just a pawn in Oakleys games? Slamming the walls down around my heart I block out all feelings. Refusing to let myself ache for anyone else.

Pushing away from the table in my small rolling chair to give myself room to stand, my fingers loosen their grip on the scalpel, letting it fall to the metal table with a clink. The sound bounces around the vacant room causing my eye to twitch. I take stock of my work, waiting for the picture to change into something beautiful, instead I see darkness. The once bright liquid now slowly turns into a deep thick red.

My hands feel sticky, arms heavy, my legs shaky under me. Using the table to steady myself I stand there looking down at Jax, searching for the man who was once my friend. The man who gave me beautiful artwork, creating beautiful pictures across my skin, while I ruined his.

I ruined him.

They ruined him. They did this to you. To us. To Jax.

Biting my bottom lip I give his bloody body a second glance.

Black, blue, red. A rainbow of cruelty that I’ve painted. Hank’s promises ring in my ears, reminding me why Jax had to pay the price of my darkness. The abyss I’ve sank into has to be filled with the ones who claim to be loyal to me. One by one, I’ll use their bodies to climb up from the depths of their betrayal. Slow movements bring me closer to the man lying across the cold metal. Leaning closer, I can see the dried tears that he once let fall.

“Shhh.” I press my chapped lips to his cheek. “I’ll get us out of here soon. Rest for now, I promise he’ll free us when I give him what he craves.”

He’ll never let you go now.

No. No, shut up! He promised me. He’ll set us free.

Swallowing down the lie comes easily. My tongue swipes out to wet my lips when I straighten my back. The sound of the door knob twisting has my legs locking in place. Drawing in a deep breath, I turn just in time to see Hank push open the door.

“Princessa, what a sight you are.” His voice is lighter. Pleased.

My skin tingles with a mixture of pride and disgust, but I don’t let him see the latter on my face. Flashing him a small smile, I take a step toward him without looking back at Jax.

See, I told you. You belong to him now.

Fuck you.

It takes far too much effort to hold back my sneer.

I am you. Kenna darling, we’re not going anywhere so you better make the best of it.

“Leave him, I’ll come back for more later.” Hank says, pulling me out of my head.

I let my hand slide inside his and give a soft tug to pull him back toward the exit. His large fingers wrap around mine, squeezing slightly, reminding me who owns who, but he follows nonetheless.

“Let’s get you cleaned up.” He says, rubbing circles on the back of my hand.

My skin doesn’t crawl at the feel of his touch. My eyebrows dip with the realization that I’ve come to find comfort in the only human interaction I have.

Just let him in.

We follow the hallway back towards my room, but this time he keeps his hold on me tight when I stop to look at the window. I guess the moment of freedom vanished. A stone sinks in my gut with the realization that I may never feel the sun on my skin again. What would I do to breathe in the sea-salt air? Images of Jax’s brutalized body flash in my head faster and faster. It’s then that I know exactly what I’d do to survive.

The long hallway seems never ending when my stare falls to the door at the very end. My legs want to lock up and refuse to move forward, but the sensitive skin under the collar tingles with the threat of fighting Hank. Pushing my shoulders back, I try to stand tall.

Remember who you are.

Reaching the door, he nudges it open with the toe of his boot and steps to the side to let me in. My body freezes in the doorway, dropping my hand Hank turns to face me, waiting for what comes next. The walls have changed once more yet this time the organ in my heart jackhammers at the sight. More photos. Yet, these seem more painful. Each one calls my attention but I’m unable to look for too long.

My feet carry me closer on shaky legs.

He’s showing you the truth.

Why? Brown eyes, blue hair, smiles. So many smiles. Caramel hair blowing in the sea-salt wind. My fingers hesitate for a moment when I lift my hand to touch the photo closest to me.

They’ve shown you who you are to them.

It’s the same picture that Hank showed me on his phone. Of the diner. Where laughter and smiles shine in the window reflection. Ryker sitting too close to a small beautiful woman. West, carefree like he never was with me. Ally, the traitor, in their group as if nothing happened. As if she didn’t cause it.

I stop myself before I think of the other Stone brother. I can’t. Not when I’m looking at them moving on while I stay stuck in time in the same room. Day after day.

Hank is offering you redemption. Show them that the flames burn brighter with vengeance.

My jaw clenches with frustration. I want to scream, to lash out, to fight, but all I have left to give is myself. The one thing I’ve tried to keep from his hold. The one thing he was promised a long time ago.

Why am I fighting him when who I’m really angry at are the ones who abandoned me. They left me in the hand of a mad man.

“Go clean yourself up.” he says, his voice far too close behind me.

He must see the slight way I jump when he presses his front to my back, his hand brushing my hair to the side, giving him the perfect angle to slide his lips down the column of my throat.

“I have plans for us tonight.” he whispers against the base of my shoulder. “I’ll prove to you over and over that I’m not going to leave you like they left you.”

Chills spread down my arms and he takes that as a sign of submission and want instead of what it is. Fear. Panic. Horror.

“I can’t wait.” I croak out.

He doesn’t move for a moment and I fear that he could hear the reluctance in my tone, but before I can spin around to prove myself, he steps back. Clicking his tongue he snaps his fingers for me to face him. Wild eyes meet mine.

“You’ve made me so proud today, Princessa. I’m going to show you what happens when you’re a good little girl.”

The way he says those words has bile rising in my stomach, but I fight it back down. My mind and body war with themselves. Grinning at him, I step back, my foot bumping into the dresser, the palm of my hands resting on the top behind me.

“What did you have in mind?” I ask.

I decide it’s best to show interest in his gifts when he’s wild with reckless ideas. Hank Harlow is dangerous.

He shakes his head with a deep laugh, “Go”. It’s an order, but not one I fear.

He’s giving me a chance to run while I can and I fucking take it. I don’t take my eyes off him until I’m behind the bathroom door and it’s locked. Not that I’d let myself assume that the lock on this door would keep him out if he truly wanted to follow me. Hank let me run from him while he was knee deep in need for control. He gave me a moment to soak in the sun on my skin. And in his own way he gave me Jax. Someone to talk to while I’m here.

My body screams to fight with everything I have, but my mind is a muddled mess of confusion. The Stone family sold me. Made me a piece of property. Hank merely paid for what he wanted and gave me the chance to destroy the people who did this to me. Ryker made my body betray me while turning me into nothing but his toy. Hank hasn’t touched me. He intends to, but he said he wouldn’t until I begged him to. Would I?

My stomach churn with the idea of his hands roaming my body, floating across my flesh, inside of me. Hank isn’t mine, yet I’m his. Turning on the water, I slide out of my bloody clothes and stand there waiting for the water to warm up. I avoid the mirror, instead choosing to stare at the wall. Once steam starts to flow from behind the curtain, I slip inside only to scream out from the biting pain.

“Fuck!”

The blistering scab on my hip smarts with the heat of the water. No amount of numbness can cover the boiling skin from the iron Hank pressed into my skin. Taking away the last thing I had from him. His name on the tip of my memory, but refusing to fall. No amount of training could have prepared me for this. Hunger, pain, torture. None of it is as bad as being sold like a pig at the market to cover the debt of a family you once loved. The Stone brothers did this to me.

He’s in your head.

His voice whispers in the back of my mind. The thought I refused to think.

NO.

I shout back at that voice refusing to listen. No. They are to blame. One down two to go.

Blood paints your skin.

Looking down, I watch the red water run pink until it’s clear liquid going down the drain. I tip my head back and laugh so loud it vibrates against the tile walls.

“Fuck! You’re talking to yourself now.” I roll my eyes at the irony of it all.

The hot water rolls down my back, loosening my muscles. Grabbing the soap, my hands scrub at the mess. Scrubbing until my skin is raw. Scrubbing until the water runs cold. Scrubbing until the bedroom door opens and closes again. Scrubbing until my hands prune, my legs shake, and my arms are heavy with exhaustion.

Stepping out of the tub, I wrap the large fluffy white towel around me and finally face the mirror.

Look for me.

I stumble back at those words.

I can’t.

Look for me in the lilies.

A single tear falls down my cheek.

I can’t. I can’t look for you because I don’t know who you’ll find in the end.

Find me in the lilies.

I won’t. You left me and now I belong to the monster in my nightmares.

Swiping at the lone drop, I grip the towel and turn towards the door throwing it open. Steam billows out around me masking the room, so I wait for it to clear before stepping forward. Expecting Hank to be standing near the door or sitting on the bed, I’m surprised to find the room empty. The only thing different in the room is a box.

The little red box sitting in the center of the bed sends a familiar rush through me. The color of the box morphed into something more delicate, yet the feeling of the unknown has my heart beating a little harder behind my ribs. Pulling in a lung full of air I push it past my lips on an exhale. Numbness sits in the center of my chest, but I can still feel the tingles climbing my fingertips with each step closer. My long blonde hair hangs in wet waves down my back. The slow drip of water sounds when it hits the floor. The beautiful new box is within reach as I step closer to the edge of the bed.

Hank promised to make me feel again. Promised to take off the collar if I wanted, and god do I want to. The skin under the metal stings with the direction of my thoughts. Lifting the corner of the box with measured movements, my gaze falls on a deep green fabric that looks like the most beautiful silk. My heart hammers behind my ribs at the notion that he may take me out of this building. Hope is a monster and I’ve let her sink her claws into me.

Hank is slowly taking away the pain they’ve caused.

No. He’s the one who did this to me. My fingers twitch with the urge to slap myself.

Is he? Look around you, Kenna. It’s written on the walls. They’ve forgotten about you.

Closing my eyes for a second to gather myself, I shake off the feeling. Gently lifting the fabric from the box, I watch in awe as it unravels into a floor length dress that sweeps the ground. The thin material is so light and soft in my hold that it almost feels weightless. For only a moment I forget where I am, who I’m with, and why I have this gift in my hands. For only a moment I’m taken back to the campus where my life should be.

“It’s so beautiful.” I whisper into the empty space.

Letting the towel drop to the floor, I waste no time sliding the silk over my naked body, loving the way it feels on my skin. Reaching into the small drawer of the dresser to grab some underwear, I pull them up my legs. The dress falls to the floor just as the bedroom door swings open and my heart skips a beat at the close call. Hank keeps himself in check, but one opening and he’d take everything I have left.

“Turn for me, Princessa.” he grunts.

He’s holding himself back and I know that wild look is there just on the edge. Rubbing my hands down the dress at my side, my feet slowly move in a circle until our eyes meet. My shallow greys clash with his bright wide gaze. His mouth damn near waters at the sight in front of him and it’s then that I realize he’s dressed his meal up. He motions for me to twirl with his finger, so I do what I’m told.

The green dress hugs every inch of my body, the silk slipping and sliding with each move I make, the slit up my thigh showcasing my leg. It’s beautiful and if I were anywhere else I’d love it. He has me turn another circle before his hand is wrapped around my arm, tugging me into him. His body presses into me, the smell of desperation and hunger pour off him, crowding me into the edge of the bed. My eyes search for something to distract him when they fall on the pack of cigarettes on the table near the bed.

“Shall we?” I ask, nodding my head to the pack.

He takes a step back, but it does nothing to calm my racing heart. He smiles at the feel of my chest pounding from his closeness.

“Of course.”

I snatch up the pack and have one between my lips before his next breath. Looking up at him, I wait. He doesn’t give me enough control to have my own lighter so I’m at his mercy. Hank dips his tongue out to rest between his teeth like a starved animal playing with their food. The strike of a lighter makes me jump and a smile spreads across his face. Inhaling, the tip of my cigarette burns bright red, filling my mouth with the familiar taste. One I once craved but now dread.

“You look mouth watering.” Hank says, his words a groan.

His fingers trace the sides of my neck until they disappear behind my head. The tug of metal and the pinch of pain has me stilling beneath his touch. Swallowing down my cry of happiness, I keep my eyes on him. Hank watches me while he works on freeing me from the collar. His gaze never leaves mine, searching for a sign he shouldn’t do this. The final click of freedom reverberates through me and I have to grasp his forearms to hold myself up.

“Thank you.”

Tears build until all I can see is a watery Hank standing in front of me with a warm smile. My body and mind finally choose the same path when I jerk forward to wrap my arms around him. My throat hurts from the sudden relief, but I don’t complain. Hank rubs his hands up and down my spine, letting me cry into his chest while speaking soft sweet words that don’t match the look in his eyes, yet I stay in his arms anyway.

I’m going to be free.

Together we step from the room into the dimly lit hallway. My hand in his. The dress is soft against my skin with each step I take. Hank leads me towards the open room with the window and I can’t help the sudden excitement that courses through me. My only thought is the feel of the sun on my skin one more time. We both step into the room together but my feet trip over each other when I see the small table next to the open window. A small white tablecloth covers it, candle lit, and food placed around it in portions.

My ribs ache from the beating of my heart but I can’t seem to look away from the sliver of light shining through the glass. I can tell that the sun is starting to set so my body moves on its own forgetting the hand on mine. Before I think more of it he releases me giving me the freedom to walk away from him. Is it a trap? I don’t let myself focus on that thought. Instead I pull back the curtain fully and bask in the warm glow of the setting sun.

“It’s beautiful,” he says from behind me. “Though it doesn’t compare to your beauty.”

My next breath catches in my throat. My fingers loosen on the cloth in my hand. Turning towards him I give him the first real smile since I’ve been here.

“Shall we?” I wave a hand over the table of food.

He returns my smile with one of his own as he pulls my chair open for me to sit. It doesn’t take me long to notice that he gave me the one with the view outside. To mess with my head? Maybe. Or could this be his way of showing me he truly does want me to trust him?

I may never have those answers but for now I let myself eat real food while staring at the cotton candy colored sky wishing for this to be a dream.