Eighty-One…

Eighty-One: Jakub’s Ladder

Contains very offensive dialogue.

Kat and Lauren were in the midst of a conversation. Not one regarding the dangerous situation they were mired in, but one regarding Hunter Logan.

“You guys will probably be able to work through it,” Lauren said.

“Maybe. But with the way he’s acting, I don’t know if I even want to go home to him… even if we weren’t stuck in here.”

“I know you crushed on him for a long time, but you never should’ve let him sweet talk you into his bed.”

That statement irked Kat.

“I’d never let a guy do that to me. I’d never throw caution to the wind and live out my fantasies. That’s why you’re in the situation you are: stuck with two babies, and an asshole for a fiance.”

The far door squealed open, startling the women.

Gavin.

“What do you want with us?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“But I’m sure I’ll figure it out,” he enthused.

Kat stared at him.

He took out a cigarette and lit it.

“What are you doing?”

“What’s it look like?” He exhaled a puff of smoke; even though Dempires didn’t breathe.

Kat didn’t quite understand that, though there were far more imperative matters to worry about.

“Hmm. What should I do with you girls?”

“Set us free?”

Gavin chuckled, took another hit of his cig.

“Daddy’s Princess is good at telling jokes,” he said. “Just like your brother when he promised to free me from that spell.” His golden eyes pierced hers. “Instead, he left me like that for hours and hours. I couldn’t move or do anything. You have any idea how that feels?”

He crouched down and continued staring at them. Gavin placed the cigarette between his lips, narrowing his demonic eyes.

Suddenly he jumped up. The girls jumped as well.

“I’ve got it.” He went over and unlocked the door.

“Come here,” he said.

Kat’s heart pounded.

“What’s he gonna do to us?” Lauren hissed.

Kat couldn’t speak. She was too afraid. 

Once they walked up to Gavin, he flicked away his cigarette and ordered them to turn around.

Oh, God. This is it. I’m going to die. Right here, right now, with my BFF.

This is the price I pay for having a father who was leader of Undead City.

“Put your pretty princess hands together, behind you, Daddy’s Princess. I need to tie your pretty wrists together.”

A cold, eerie sensation crept through her. It was another wave of terror.

After tying up both girls, he stood back and snickered.

“Now I can do with you whatever I want,” he said.

Another chilly wave passed through Kat. She stifled a shiver.

“What about you, Princess?”

“Does Daddy’s girl need a prince to play with?” His hands glided down the sides of her boobs.

“Go fuck yourself!” Needless to say, Kat immediately regretted saying that.

“How ’bout I fuck you instead? Along with your cute friend?”

Lauren whimpered.

Behind them, the door flung open.

“Who are you?” Gavin asked.

The stranger didn’t answer. He only smirked.

“I said, who are you? What do you want?” Gavin repeated.

Gavin’s inquiry was answered by a fist.

He almost knocked Kat over as he fell. She stumbled forward, wondering what the hell was going on.

She peered behind, relieved to see Gavin sprawled out. Who punched him? Who’s this mysterious guy trying to save us? She was a little afraid to turn around and look.

“So… who are you?”

“I’m your big brother Jakub,” he rasped. Kat’s heart stopped.

“Jakub? You’re the one my father hates!”

He drew up behind her, unfastened the ties around her wrists. Kat rubbed the newly freed, chafed skin.

“Yes,” he whispered. “That’s why I speak this way, because he cut my throat years ago.”

He went to untie Lauren’s straps. “But I was a bad man back then,” Jakub said. “I’ve changed. Maybe Dad will learn to trust me again.”

Was he in France all this time? Kat wondered. What made him decide to come back? And how did he know we were here?

He finished removing Lauren’s ties. She stood up, staggering for a moment.

“Thank you,” Lauren muttered. Jakub nodded.

“I suppose we should leave now,” Jakub said observing Gavin, who still wasn’t moving.

“Don’t you think you should kill him before we leave? Cut off his head or something?”

“My dear sister, killing doesn’t come so easily to me anymore. I think we can get away without him bothering us. He seems to be out cold.”

Oooh, his voice sounds so creepy whenever he speaks. Kat shuddered eying Lauren; but Lauren regarded Jakub with a funny look.

“So you’re really not going to kill him? He tried to hurt me and Lauren!”

“No. I’m really not going to kill him.” Jakub paused. “So easy to tell how you were raised in a pro-murder environment.”

And you once tried to hurt my mother! Hypocrite. Hypocrite. Hypocrite! She’d just met him, but already Kat hated her oldest brother. On the other hand, she couldn’t very well hate him too much since he saved her.

Meanwhile, Lauren kept staring at Jakub.

“Lauren is your name?” Jakub asked her. She nodded. “Beautiful name, beautiful girl.”

“Thanks.” She seemed flustered, embarrassed… yet she was glowing from Jakub’s compliments.

Oh, my God. He’s already flirting with Lauren! He’s just like Reznik! And Lauren’s falling for it!

Her BFF, yet another hypocrite she knew.

“How did you find us? Did you know we were missing?” Kat asked, puzzled.

“I was told that Gavin had taken you. One of the Dempires betrayed him.”

There were still more answers Kat needed, but she didn’t ask. Yet. She was more concerned with getting home.

Jakub led them to his SUV. Kat couldn’t help but notice something in the back seat…

a child.

Kat shook her head in bewilderment.

“That’s Xander. He’s my son.”

You have a son?! Omigod, Dad’s going to freak out again. Hell, I’m freaking out.

“I’m starving,” Lauren whined.

“Get in the vehicle, ladies. I’ll take you home. Kat, I’ll take you back to Dad’s house.”

“Wait,” Kat said. “I don’t live with Dad anymore. I live with Hunter Logan.” Even though I can’t stand him at the moment.

“No. You’re going to Dad’s house.”

“Okay. Fine. I’ll go to Dad’s house.”

After they climbed in, Jakub started the SUV and pulled out.

Kat glanced in the back.

Xander was a beautiful boy; maybe about eight years old.

Kat wondered about his mother. Where was she?

It was a quiet, uncomfortable drive to the Haas residence. At least initially.

Finally Jakub divulged that he was staying at a local motel, after having recently moved back from France. Needless to say, Xander’s mother was one of the French citizens. Jakub had basically ‘stolen’ his own son.

Hypocrite! Kat’s mind screamed. You haven’t changed one bit, Jakub.

“Jakub, can I spend the night with you in your motel room?” Lauren blurted. “I don’t feel like going home tonight and being alone.”

Jakub chuckled; licked his lips.

*

Thanks for reading.