Sweet Redemption_Sweet Duet, Part 2 Read online

  Copyright (c) 2018 by Ellie Jean

  All rights reserved.

  Editor: Amy Podejko at Green Fairy Creations

  Formatting/Book Cover: Champagne Book Design

  Visit my webpage at ellie-jean.wixsite.com/author

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a review. If you would like to share this eBook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or places is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced throughout this work of fiction, which has been used without permission. The publication use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  WARNING: The book is recommended for readers aged 18+. There is strong language and disturbing situations. Please do not read if you find these subjects upsetting.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  Stay up to Date with Ellie Jean

  To Carla and my new found worldwide friends, who took a chance on a new author. I thank you for believing in Isla and Alex’s story. It has been one great journey together.

  Another piece of my heart shatters, with the loud bang of the crystal vase slamming against the old, dirty cream-colored wall that once was a vibrant white shade. Crouching down low outside their bedroom door, I try to be as small as I can. I don’t want daddy to see me, turning his attention to me tonight. Benjamin’s asleep in bed thank goodness, out of harm’s way.

  Every time he sees me at nighttime now, he scares me. His loud voice, his yucky smell, the way he yells at mommy, and how his eyebrows knit together when he sees me makes me want to stay far away from him.

  “We need the money, Adeline. Just get it or there will be hell for all of us to pay.” My daddy’s face is red with anger. His neck looks tight and stretched when he bellows. His arm drops to his side after throwing mommy’s favorite glass vase, reaching for another mouthful of the yellow liquid in his glass. Wiping the back of his hand across his mouth where some of it seeps out.

  Sniffling and rubbing her nose, mommy speaks quietly, “I’ve given you all I have, Drake. I have nothing left to give you.”

  “You’d better be joking.” Long legs stride toward the wooden table where mommy keeps her hair brush, creams for her face, rings, earrings, and necklaces. Opening and closing every small compartment, he swipes all the things off the top of the table onto the floor. I can’t see mommy, but her sobbing is rife in my head.

  “Where the fuck is everything?” More steps thud on the floor.

  “Drake… No. It’s all gone.”

  Bang…

  Mommy is against the wall, with daddy’s thick arms pinning her shoulders so she can’t move.

  “Where is it?” This voice isn’t my daddy’s. It sounds so mean, louder and angrier than I have ever listened to before.

  “What are you talking about? You’re hurting my shoulders, Drake.” Tears sweep down her cheeks.

  “This will be nothing if Sokolov doesn’t get his money that I owe him. You think you’re hurting now, dear. Fuck, if I don’t give him something tonight, he will break every limb in my body and then when he’s finished with me, that’s when he will come after your cunt.” Daddy’s eyes stare so hard at mommy I want to crawl away before anything else happens but making a sound now would let daddy know I’ve heard him. I would be punished.

  “And don’t think it would end there, Adeline… No… Our sweet, precious princess and little prince would be served to him next, to do whatever he pleases with them.” Spit flies against mommy’s neck. Her legs are wobbling, and her eyes are red and puffing up.

  “So, where the fuck have you put the ring.”

  Head hanging, defeated, and worn down, mommy heaves some air in. Her entire body is trembling.

  Lifting her arm, she points to the bed. “Under the mattress.”

  Without an ounce of concern for mommy, daddy almost runs to the bed and overturns the mattress. He leans forward and clenches a small box in his fist. Mom slides down the wall. Her legs bent against her chest, wrapped up in her arms. Her hair falls over her limbs. Her body moves uncontrollably with her crying.

  “This must be worth a stack. The fucking stone is huge.” A smile appears on his face. It’s the first sign tonight that finally he is happy. But he won’t be if he finds me now.

  Turning toward the right, I tiptoe back to the room next to theirs and hurry so my ear is next to the wall that mommy has fallen against.

  Faintly I hear, “Drake, please no… There has to be another way. That’s all I have left of my parents. You’ve taken everything else.”

  “Stop you’re whinging, Adeline. The ring goes. It’s best you remember where your loyalties lay.” The door shuts with a bang. Determined footsteps head out to the living room and out the front door.

  Leaping forward, I run into mommy’s room. She is still against the wall on the floor.

  “It will be okay, Mommy. He’s gone.”

  Tears keep falling down from her swollen eyes.

  “I have to make this right, Isla.” Gathering strength from somewhere within, wiping her face, she lifts up from the floor and walks to the mess on the ground that once was organized so neatly on her table.

  “I have to let them know. I have to set things in place.” Taking a pad of paper from the pile, she moves other things on the floor until she has a pen in her hand. I stand still while she walks to the bed.

  “Help me, Isla.” Holding the edges of the mattress, I almost run over to take the other side of the mattress and we pull it down so it lands almost on the base correctly. I tug, and mom pushes until it finally sits evenly like it did minutes before, except for the crumpled sheets and blankets on the floor next to it.

  “What are you going to do, Mommy?” I sit on the edge of the bed and look at mom expectantly.

  “I may have chosen to live with your father. I love him more than any sane person should. But, I have to protect my children too. So that’s what I will do.” The bed dips next to me and I lean in to her weakened shoulder. She pats my head quickly with her free hand.
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br />   “I love daddy too, but he is so angry all the time and he hurts you.” My body is tired from it being late and watching my mother and father fight. Lying my body down on the uncovered mattress, I glance at mom writing on the paper.

  Heavy eyed, I say, “What are you writing, Mommy?”

  “A little goodbye note. Sleep now, Princess. It’s not for you to worry about. You worry enough for everyone in this house, Isla, and it’s not good for you. It’s not what you should be thinking about. Go to sleep now, so you can wake up to another day where everything starts out good again.”

  “Okay, Mommy. I like looking after you and Benjamin. And daddy when he doesn’t smell.”

  Her hand runs through my hair, patting my head like she does nearly every night, lulling me to sleep.

  “Goodnight, Mommy, don’t let the bed bugs bite…”

  Princess… Now there’s a word I haven’t thought of in what feels like forever.

  Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there lived one.

  But isn’t a princess supposed to be with a prince?

  Cinderella found her Prince Charming. Sleeping Beauty managed to find her Prince. Rapunzel, Snow White, Jasmine, and Belle were able to hold on to their princes and live happily ever after. Even Fiona married the ogre of her dreams.

  So why the hell does it keep eluding me?

  Oh, that’s right, my mind’s living in fantasy land. Where make-believe can come true. Where life-altering problems can be rectified in less than an hour and the cruel world can be set right by a fire-breathing dragon or with just one kiss from a handsome unknown guy who has the title of being a prince.

  I’m no one’s princess anymore. I’m the exact opposite. I’m tarnished and filthy, used and deceitful. I deserve to suffer. To live without love. But, after the experience of being cherished and cared for by a beautiful man, inside and out, I am willing to accept pain and the ultimate consequences I bring upon myself, so that unique feeling envelops me again. Any suffering will be worth it. No more being scared or timid. I need to take charge. I won’t let the past six years define who I am. Or destroy me. I will let it strengthen me.

  It’s time I take the lead role in my own life. It’s time I believe in myself and escape this depraved situation. I now have a clear purpose and direction. If the past seven days taught me anything, it is I deserve to find happiness.

  Alex gives me the will to cleanse myself; now all I need to do is find the courage to fight for what I am entitled to.

  Not a prince. But… Mr. Alex Raven.

  “It’s time, Isla. Your special day’s arrived,” Jules says reverently when she attaches my veil. I can feel the glitter-illusion soft tulle flow over my shoulders and down my lower back. My insides are calm and collected. No doubts enter my mind about today or my future.

  The ornate room, with a large chandelier in the center, distributes its sparkle across the room upon all of us. The extensive room is furnished, with antiques I would normally drool over or. take hours upon hours to touch and memorize each piece of the carved walnut wood. But I don’t have time today. The antique dresser has my makeup and curlers spaced over it. My empty wedding dress bag is draped over the French Victorian, plush velvet wine-colored love settee. The pewter full-length mirror shimmers with the reflection of my maid of honor in her cerulean blue dress.

  “Jules, you look absolutely stunning,” my voice soft and in awe of her beauty. “Every man out there will be begging Alex and me to introduce you to them, so be ready to be swamped.” A tear escapes the corner of my eye, thinking about the support Jules and Kameron have given me over the years.

  Looking as striking as Jules, Kameron’s definitive red-streaked hair complements her indigo bridesmaid dress. She turns me around so she can put my most treasured possession on my neck, my Tiffany key necklace. Standing at the full-length mirror, I look at the Vera Wang gown. It’s an off-the-shoulder white with silver beads and lace design, offering a full skirt. I’m transformed. Free to live and be loved like a fairy princess. Next to Alex, that is what I am.

  Jules and Kam are at either side of me. In a hushed tone, Jules says, “It’s time to go, Isla.” Jules leans in with a small kiss on my cheek. We walk out the expansive room, leaving the old Isla Winters behind.

  Placing my arm into my brother’s waiting arm, I can’t hide the smile. I am about to be floating toward the person who makes me whole. Ed Sheerin’s “Thinking Out Aloud” gently filters through the air. I am lead by Benjamin around the corner, ready to walk the aisle into my new life.

  People are watching Jules and Kameron saunter down the aisle carpeted in a rich wine-colored plush. When the attendees’ heads turn back to face me, I see many smiles.

  I don’t recognize any of them…

  My eyebrows knit together for a sheer moment. Confusion presenting itself. Why don’t I know any of these attendees?

  Jules and Kameron make it to the end of the aisle. Watching Alex give a slight nod to each of them, it’s my turn to make the journey. Benjamin and I exchange glances. His relaxed smile explains everything, he is happy for me. Ready for me to take this step in my life.

  I’m walking and walking. I’m being escorted to my future.

  The aisle feels so long. I can see the shape of Alex’s blond hair and the perfect fitting black suit stretched over his muscular body. But the path is so extensive.

  “Benjamin, faster, I need to be by his side, now,” I whisper to my brother.

  No matter how fast I walk, the aisle seems to stretch further away.

  With desperation, I pull on Benjamin’s arm. It’s like a metal rod with no give in it. His arm is solid and unmoving, linked through mine. His relaxed smile is gone, and a stoic robotic stiff face greets mine. It’s expressionless, staring straight down the endless path. My wild eyes dart back and forth to Ben and Alex. The guests are a hazy blur. I can’t see anyone’s face clearly.

  My peony roses bouquet is getting heavy in my hand, so I drop them. Subtle pink petals disperse all over the carpet. My ears feel muffled as I try to reach Alex any way I can. My steps become frantic in the white six-inch heeled shoes I am wearing. I try taking long strides, as my infuriation grows, to provoke Benjamin to go faster. I’m kept in check though by the solid arm locking me to his limb. Ed Sheerin stops playing.

  I stop.

  Lifting my elbow, I try to heave my arm out of Benjamin’s, but his hold is too tight. Turning my face sideways to see what his problem is, it’s like I am stabbed with a hot poker into my heart.

  Black, menacing, soulless eyes penetrate me. My arm is secured by Dimitri Sokolov…

  He smiles with his perfectly white teeth as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. Screaming at the top of my lungs only seems to make him happier and he starts laughing when I yank on his arm.

  “You are mine, Isla, only mine,” he states with confidence and dominance.

  I won’t give up the struggle and battle. I kick his shins and my hands tear at his clothes to try to break away from him. Raging from inside, my veil and lacy dress swish from side to side when I beat his chest with my fists in a frenzy. The veil gets in the way of my sight. I grab the tulle, reefing it from my hair and, with it, the pins holding my cascading curls put in place by Kameron. I look and feel certifiably crazy.

  My heart beats erratic. My throat tightens, and I struggle to breathe.

  Strangled gasps leave me. My eyes bulge open from lack of air and I find myself tangled in my bed sheet. Sweat covers my skin. Moving my head from side to side, looking at my bedroom wardrobe and bed side table confirms that I am having that nightmare. The exact same one I have had each night since boarding the plane from Las Vegas back to Sydney. That was three days ago. Gone is the consuming dream about the many men using my body for their pleasures, replaced with Sokolov taunting me by owning me.

  My thoughts were clear when I was put on the jet.

  Alex is safe.

  His loved ones are no longer exposed.

  He won
’t be disgraced or hurt by my family’s mistakes. Killing my father and protecting my family from knowing I was the driving force is my hell to live and no one else’s. I need to find inner strength to eradicate my life of its dirtiness so I can move on to a life I want to live. I need to accept the harsh reality that Alex will never want anything more to do with me but being brave enough to put a plan into action is failing me. My heart is splintered and lost without Alex’s power by my side.

  I’ve written multiple messages to Alex, asking for forgiveness because I brought him into my world of pain and suffering. Including a Russian crime lord who would never let me go. Omitting truths, deceiving Alex because of my selfish needs, I want him to know I kept quiet because I wanted his strength and love so badly. Then there were the notes, professing how I need him, how we fit together, how he is my Heaven, but I haven’t sent one of them. He doesn’t deserve to be brought again into this existence and risk everything he has ever worked for. I can’t ask him to do that for me.

  Jules, my best friend and colleague, the one who has kept me sane through my ordeals, checks up on me every few hours. She talks to me, putting my mental state back together again. I explained the full story to her about Las Vegas and Alex. Hearing the words out loud reminded me of what a disaster I created. It’s lucky J & I Events, our events management business, is quiet for the next few weeks with only preparation for small events to be completed. My mind isn’t up for work or talking to the public. I’m letting her down. But with the nightly visions and my body not caring and afraid to venture out, I am content to lay around the house. Shutting myself out from any evil plotting against me in the vast outside world.

  Dimitri will be waiting for me to go back to him and make things right, if that is possible after my betrayal. It has to be…

  I can’t imagine what he is waiting for.

  I told Isla to trust me. To believe in me. Demanding that she could tell me anything. Because everything would be fine. That I would never leave her side.