Read Jude's Salvation: This Love Series Online
Authors: Nicole Smith
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
There’s Always Hope
Eden
Jude asked me once what my last memory was and I said it was waking up in the hospital. Until this morning that was true but now I remember the last time I saw my mother. The last day I can remember before my world as I knew it vanished. Lex brought my mother into my cell for the evening. She knew he was going to kill her in the morning and this was his way of apologizing, letting us be together for a few final hours. I listened to her beg him for mercy but he was still so angry with her, I knew her attempts were falling on deaf ears.
Once he left us and locked the doors my mother crawled to the back wall and rested her head against it. She didn’t look well. Her skin was pale and the darkness under her eyes looked blue. She was weak and her voice was shaky when she spoke like the energy she expelled was making her faint.
"Eden, always remember I love you and I'm so sorry I couldn't get us out of this. It's still me and you against the world by baby girl, I'll always be fighting for you, I promise," she said before passing out. I figured she was going through withdrawal. Lex hadn't given her anything for three days. She was shaking in her unconscious state. She needed a doctor. I felt her wrist, her pulse was way too fast. I placed her on her side in case she threw up again. I could smell it on her from earlier. I walked over to the door and banged on it until a guard finally appeared. When he opened the door he held his gun against his shoulder and stared at me.
"Can I talk to Lex, please, it’s important," I begged, feeling my hands shake. He stepped back from the door and closed it. I banged on the door again. I needed to see Lex, I had no choice. The guard opened the door again and glanced at my mother passed out on the floor then back to me.
"He said he'll be down eventually, don’t wait up sweet cheeks," he replied with a sneer.
“
Thanks,” I said before he shut the door again. “And Fuck you too,” I muttered but I knew he couldn’t hear me. Turning back to my mother, I went to her side and sat down. Her breathing was raspy and her lungs sounded full. It seemed like hours before I heard the door unlock again. I must have dozed off. I jumped up when the door flung open and Lex stood there glaring at me. My body trembled in his sight.
"Why did you demand to see me my darling?" he asked, walking closer to me. His gaze drifted to my mother. I'm sure he could hear it too, she was dying.
"I'm sorry Mr. Lewis but she's having trouble breathing. She needs help," I said hearing the break in my voice. He stood closer to me and brushed the hair f
rom my face, looking into my eyes.
"You know she is a drug addict right? You understand what that means don't you? I am attempting to save her. Her body is just cleaning it all out. Eden, that’s why I took her here. I know it seems cruel but I did it to be kind. Once she is clean of her addiction than maybe I'll consider letting her go. You are mine but once she’s clean I'll let her go in exchange for you. You will take her place my darling," he informs me. I have no choice but to nod. If it will save her life than I have to agree. I shudder when he kisses each cheek. He keeps his eyes on me as he calls his guard in.
"Gerard, take her to the medic," he orders, pointing at my mothers limp body. Looking at her then I didn’t expect her to the last the night and I don’t think Lex did either.
"Your birth father will be here tomorrow morning to take you away for awhile. No matter what happens Eden, remember I am your master, for life," he whispers in my ear, holding my cheek. The smell of cigars surrounding me. He looks so out of place here in his black suit, polished dress shoes and slicked back hair. His gold rings shimmer in the dim lighting. I'm confused when he wraps me in his arms and holds me. I don't know what to do so I do nothing. I stand there shivering as he hugs me. I think I almost hear him sigh.
"I'll miss you both," he states before releasing me and walking out. The door is locked again and I'm alone, so alone in the dark. I can’t sleep, not knowing if my mother will make it or not. He said he would let her go if she does in exchange for me.
I sit up in my seat and look out the window as the plane begins our descent. Then it hits me, his words. He will exchange her for me. Oh my god, maybe she's alive. He's letting her go in exchange for me finally. This must be why he waited so long, he didn't want me yet because he wasn’t ready to release my mother.
He could control my father, have him keep him posted of my whereabouts. The only way I'll know if she's alive or not is go with Lex when he comes for me. It’s also the only way I'll be able to keep Jude alive. He'll never let him take me without a fight. It will have to be done when Jude's away from me. I'm terrified but it’s the only way I can save the two people I love.
I never actually saw my mother’s dead body. I saw her limp body when it was carried out of the cell and when they carried her out of the warehouse with a blanket covering her. I heard the gunshot but I never saw it fired or where it hit. Everything goes black after that. I don't remember leaving. My mother already had blood on her face before they carried her out and her eyes were already vacant but she was alive the last time I saw her. I have to believe she still might be. Only Lex will know and if she is alive only Lex will know where she is. I have to go back to him and then somehow I'll find a way to escape to Jude after she’s safe. If Lex is true to his word he'll kill her if I don't comply.
To my readers:
Thank You!
I would like to thank each and every one of you out there for reading the first installment in the
This Love Series
.
Book Two ~ Eden’s Weakness ~
available soon.
Please visit my website,
http://nicoletmsmith.wordpress.com
for more details and a listing of all my books.
A very BIG Thank You!!! To those of you that have taken the time to leave a Review and a Rating. As an Indie writer, your support is greatly appreciated.
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