Chapter Thirteen

Delphi Mae

I smooth back Steel’s hair as I glare at the man called Paston.

“He better not be dead,” I growl.

“Just sleeping,” Paston smiles. “He’ll be awake and ready for war in about an hour.”

“What do you want from us?”

I can feel the three small incisions on my abdomen bleeding, and the pain in my side is almost unbearable.

“I simply want you to sit here and rest for the next three days,” Paston says. “Your life after those three days all depends on the man you love.”

“Jacob? Leave him alone.”

“She’s cute,” he laughs. “Anyway, you will have food and water brought to you three times a day. It won’t be poisoned. Eat. Drink. I need you alive and healthy just in case I have to give you back. Not likely, though.”

With that, he leaves the room, locking us in.

I can only hope and pray that my kids are safe.

Over the next hour, I fume with anger. Steel’s face is a mess, and I know he’s going to be in pain when he wakes up.

“I can’t believe they did this to you. I hope that man gets hit in the eye with bird poop,” I say to myself.

“Really? Bird poop? Did you really stab someone's ass?”

Steel’s gruff voice shocks me, and I feel some of my bravery slip away.

“Yeah,” I say, my voice trembling. “I found the knife you left on the floor of the car and used it to my advantage.’

Steel sits up slowly, wincing as he rubs his head. His sharp eyes scan the room, taking in every detail, every possible exit. When they land on me, they soften slightly. “You okay?”

I nod, though the pain in my side begs to differ. “I’m fine,” I whisper, more for his sake than mine. “You?”

He grunts, rolling his shoulders like he’s shaking off the weight of the fight. “Been better.” His gaze hardens, flicking to the locked door. “What the hell did he say to you? Did they touch you?”

“No, they didn’t touch me. But he did say that we’re stuck here for three days,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “And that... that our lives depend on Jacob.”

“He’s using us as leverage,” Steel says, slowly standing from the cot. “He’s most likely after his son and knows that our family will do whatever it takes to save us. Even handing over a client.”

Steel’s words send a chill through me. His assessment, calm and measured, makes everything feel even more real. I’d been holding on to some scrap of hope that maybe Paston was bluffing, that this was some scare tactic. But now, seeing Steel’s grim expression, I know this is far more than just intimidation.

“He’s after Mark,” I say, the realization sinking in. “Jacob, King, all of them… they’re going to be forced into a choice.”

Steel nods, his jaw clenching as he paces, eyes flicking from wall to wall like he’s already plotting every way out of here. “They won’t be forced. The decision will be an easy and unanimous one. Paston’s playing his cards close, using us as pawns. He thinks he’s got all the control, but he doesn’t know us. He doesn’t know what we’re willing to do to protect each other. They won’t just hand Mark over until King has drained him of everything he’s made of.”

Despite the pain, I can’t help but fall on the cot that Steel just abandoned. My muscles seem to have melted from my body. “So what’s our next move?”

He stops pacing, crossing his arms as he considers. “We sit tight for now. We watch, we listen. The second they slip up, the second there’s an opening, we take it. I don’t care if it’s two hours from now or two days.” He glances at me, his gaze intense. “But I need you to hold on, Delphi. They’re not going to win this.”

I try to smile, ignoring the ache in my side and the uncertainty clawing at me. “I trust you, Steel. Just promise me we’ll make it out. I need to see my kids again. I need to see Jacob again.”

He steps closer, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder, his voice low and fierce. “I promise. Whatever it takes, I’m getting us both out of here.”

“Okay,” I sigh. “I just need to sit here and rest.”

“Fuck,” he sighs. “You’re bleeding.”

“I already checked on the incisions,” I say, trying to calm the situation. “They’re all pretty small, and the bleeding has stopped. It hurts like hell, but I think I’ll be okay. Just need to sleep.”

Steel removes his cut and places it over my body.

“Sleep, babe. I won’t let them near you.”

“They said the food and water isn’t poisoned,” I remember. “He said to eat and drink so we’re healthy when they let us go. Also, there’s a small bathroom through that door. It’s just a toilet, but it works.”

“Don’t eat or drink a thing, Delphi. Don’t trust a word they say.”

Nodding, my head falls against the cot, and I sleep.