Free Betrayal of Cupids by Sophia Kenzie Page B

climbing out of her window and down the old tree with the tire swing.  It seemed like backtracking her steps would be the best way to sneak into the house as well. 
    I looked up at the majestic branches.  The gusts of the cool night air pushed the swing back and forth, offering a sort of music to my journey.  I stepped up and took my place at the base of the trunk.  This was my only way to make sure Grace was truly okay.  Unfortunately, having grown up in a city, it would also be my first time climbing a tree.

 
     

    Grace
     
    My eyes wouldn’t close.  I was in a trance.  I had just promised to secure a future in my family for the man who murdered my mother and my father, and who I was beginning to understand would one day take me from this world as well.  Sean had my still tied-up Aunt Kathryn contact Mr. Muscles and tell him I still hadn’t come home, so he should continue looking for me.  She was then forcibly escorted upstairs and out of my sight as I was left sitting on the floor, trying to hold back tears.  Sean made sure to warn me that if I were to try and run, my aunt would not make it through the night.  He didn’t need to warn me; I had assumed as much.
    I turned my hands over; watching new bruises form on my wrists.  How much of a beating could I take from this man before my body would give up?  I could only assume I was about to hit my breaking point.
    There was a knock on the door.  I didn’t know if I should answer it.  Could it be Ryan?  I kept my nerves tightly wound and found my way to my feet.
    “I’m just going to answer the door,” I yelled up the stairs.
    Nothing.  My mind raced with the worst possible thoughts.  What was he doing to her?
    I slowly turned the knob but then yanked the door wide open, expecting the worst.  Standing in front of me was a familiar yet distant face.  I quickly scanned him, looking for a weapon, but stopped instead at the insignia on the sweatshirt.  I knew that shirt.
    “You know Ryan.  Is he here?”
    He didn’t answer my question.  “So you know who I am?”
    I shook my head.  “No.”
    “Yes you do, Grace.  Look at me.  Do you know who I am?”
    He was deeply intense, and his face was becoming redder with every breath.  I tried to make the connection.  How did I know this man?  When had I last seen him?  Then it clicked.  “It’s Danny, right?”
    “Yes.”
    “From the match.  You fought Ryan.”
    “Yes.  Now I need you to listen to me.”
    “Okay?”  What was Ryan planning?  Had he made the connection that Sean was here?  “Where’s Ryan?”
    “Forget about Ryan.”
    I stopped.  “What?”  What did he mean?  Wasn’t he here at Ryan’s request?  Hadn’t he come to help me?
    “I’m serious.  I need you to forget about Ryan.  If Ryan tries to make contact with you, you tell him you want nothing to do with him.”
    “But… why?”
    “Fuck, Grace.  They told me you were smarter than this.”
    They?  Who told him…? “Oh God.”  My head began to spin, but I knew what was happening.  I didn’t want to believe it.  “You’re with Sean,” I whispered the words; afraid if they were too loud it would prove their truth.
    “There you go.  Not just a pretty face, are you?”
    “And Ryan doesn’t know?”
    “He’s a little cloudy right now, with everything going on, but if I find out that you told him, he’s a dead man.  You got that?”
    How could I fight this threat too?  I nodded.  Sean was more prepared than I had thought.  All the pieces he had chosen were falling into place.  And now, if I requested any help from Ryan, it could mean his death, but I didn’t know how to fight this battle on my own.  I would need to figure it out, and fast.
    Danny reached his hand out, caressing my face.  “Mmm you have the softest skin.”  He leaned in closer.  “I hope Sean lets me have a taste before he’s done with you.”
    “Stop it.”  Why were they all the same?  “If you so much