Undercover: Book 3 — Chapter 44

"At age six on Halloween night I was kidnapped and was brought far away from home. I was abused and that tattoo on my back was something I got to hide the scars the woman gave me."

"Your captor was a woman?" He let out a dark chuckle. "Her name was Lisa and don't look so surprised. Woman aren't as innocent as they seem. Even the kindest ones have black somewhere in their heart." The name was spit from his lips as if it burned him to say her name. I almost couldn't believe what I was hearing. This man was taken and abused at age six. Who could live like that?

“When I was locked in that basement of hers I use to think if I became stronger I would get out of there. I couldn't let the feeling of her knife or finger nails carving into my skin get to me. At age eleven I realized that.” Caiden clenched the fork he had in his hand. “I should have realized it sooner. God damn I would have been out of there faster,” he said, throwing his fork across the room. No, he didn't try to hit me, the fork went the opposite way. I set my hand on top of his lightly and squeezed it. He seemed surprised almost as if he momentarily forgot I was there.

"She would play fucking games with me. Having me run and try to escape, but I would never get out of that door. It didn't matter how fast I moved. Then she'd punish me for trying to leave almost as if I suggested it.” His voice was now icy and I was almost scared to speak. Based on the look in his eyes he was probably reliving his nightmare over and over again.

“One hand would hold tightly to my arm to keep me still while the other would be holding something that could cause me pain, a bat, a knife, scissors. It all just depended on the day,” he said, a cold, cruel smirk on his face. He didn't turn to look at me again and only looked at the wall. I wanted to tell him he could stop but I think he needed this. These emotions were all bottled up and if they weren't released then he would eventually explode.

“I can still feel to this day her carving her fucking name on my back. Her exact words would be, 'I'll make sure you never forget me. I am after all your mother.' The disgusting woman would never be my mother. She never could have kids so she thought by kidnapping it would fix everything for her.” His hands clenched into fists but I didn't let go and only held his hand tightly. It seemed to be soothing him a little as I continued rubbing my thumb over the top of his hand.

“When I left that horrid place at age sixteen I got a tattoo over her name. It's just a skull but it's enough to cover it. Every time I look at it, it reminds me that she's dead and she isn't ever coming back." The smirk was still placed in his lips and his hazel eyes darkened.

"How'd she died?" I asked hesitantly and keeping my voice soft. Another dark chuckle escaped his lips. “I had a feeling you'd ask that question. I killed her with my own bare hands. I let my fists connect with her face over and over again, not stopping till she was struggling for breath. Even then I helped her by squeezing the rest of the air out of her lungs.” My hands started to shake a little from the thought of Caiden being only sixteen and strangling a woman to death.

"How did your parents react when you reunited with them?" I asked after a moment of silence.

"My once happy parents were divorced when I got home. My dad gave up hope after a year and my mother was the only one who believed I was still out there somewhere. How were they supposed to know to look across the country? That alone split them apart. My father cared for a split second that I was home before he signed me up for his school and sent me off. The room we have is one I've had since age sixteen,” he said, his voice not losing the hard edge to it.

“He didn't want to deal with a broken teenage boy. My mother cared for a while but she eventually gave up when I wouldn't tell her what happened in captivity. We do talk every once in a while but she knows that happy little boy she use to know wasn't coming back.” I stood up and went to the other side of the counter and wrapped my arms around the now standing Caiden who was pulling at his hair. I didn't release him even when he struggled against my arms. He didn't want pity, I know that but I could see he needed help. He may not want it but he needed it.

“I'm sorry you had to go through all of that,” I whispered in his ear. Our food wasn't touched and only went to waste since it was now cold. “No one deserves all of that.” His arms slowly made their way around me and held me only pulling me closer to his body.

"I dyed my hair not only because I didn't want to be reminded of the old me, but because I didn't want to look at the man I call my father. His new wife, my stepmother is the sister of my captor. The blonde woman's name is Samantha,” he told me and I felt myself freeze. What? Why? How? So many questions were forming in my head but I didn't want to ask them since he already started off with a torturous morning.

"I'm so sorry, Caiden,” I whispered again, slowly pulling away from him.

"You apologize yet you don't look at me with pity. You definitely are something Claire Martez,” he said slowly unclenching his fists and just breathing.

"Have you ever thought about getting someone to help you get through this? You shouldn't live like this. You'll never get on with your life. Especially if you hate every person you cross paths with."

"I don't hate Nick.” I rolled my eyes. “I don't hate you,” he added after thought. "I mean for some damn reason you accept me for who I am."

"That sounded a bit cheesy,” I teased, trying to lift the mood and he managed to crack a small smile. "Hey since you look all nice how about tonight you come to the party I'm letting my little brother have. I don't want to hang out with a bunch of sixteen and seventeen year olds,” I suggested, completely changing the conversation and he shrugged.

"I didn't have anything planned for today anyway,” he said and I smiled brightly.

"Great!"

"I'll come if you spend the night again.” my eyes widened at this. Why would he want me to spend the night again? Is this the same man that hates roommates?

"I'm sorry I think I heard you wrong. Did you just say you want me to spend another night here?"

"Yes, surprisingly I can tolerate your company,” he said and I placed my hand on his forehead.

"Are you feeling okay? Maybe I should take you to a doctor,” I said honestly, worried and he only rolled his eyes. Removing my hand from his forehead he grabbed our plates and threw them out.

"Since these went to waste let's go get some fast food,” he suggested and I nodded just as my stomach growled. A light hearted chuckle released from his lips making me give him a sheepish smile.

"I should have a change of clothes in my car,” I told him and he nodded. Telling him I would be right back I headed out the building and went to my car. I always keep some extra clothes in my trunk for certain um reasons. Grabbing a pair of skinny jeans and some nice looking shirt I knew would match my boots.

I should just change in my car, I thought to myself. Looking around at the parking lot clear of people I did exactly that. I quickly changed, only struggling a little and hitting my head on the window twice. I left the sweatpants and exited my car, locking it.

"Claire?" a familiar voice says almost questioningly.

"West! It's been a while,” I said, surprised and wrapping my arms around him in a quick hug. "How've you been?" I asked and he shrugged.

"I've been okay. I didn't know you lived here. I've never seen you here before,” he said and I rocked back and forth on my heels.

"Yea, I'm visiting a friend,” I said just as Caiden came out.

"What are you doing? I didn't know it took fifteen minutes to grab some clothes,” Caiden said but the whole time he was looking at West with narrowed eyes.

"Oh Caiden this West, West this is Caiden." They shook hands, their grips tight. Caiden moved to stand next to me and put his arm around my waist, surprising me when he pulled me to his side almost possessively.

"How do you two know each other?" Caiden asked his voice suspicious.

“He stole my yogurt at the store,” I said, immediately causing West to laugh.

“Sure, that's what happened.” Caiden's grip tightened a little before saying, "We should get going now, it's already ten.” I nodded my head and I said my goodbyes to West before Caiden led me to his car.

"What was that all about?" I asked him with a raised eyebrow but he didn't respond. Ladies and gentlemen, I think I have just experienced seeing the one and only Caiden Anderson jealous. Too bad I didn't have a camera with me.