The Beast (Book 3 of The Caregiver Series)

By Astrid 'Artistikem' Cruz

The trip to Puerto Rico proves to be even worse than the nightmare Scarlett thought it would. Adrian's assassination starts what becomes a series of revelations that will bring her face to face with demons from her past.

Stakes get higher as she learns this is more than a government conspiracy but a personal vendetta led by a man scarred by the same two people who made Scarlett's early years a living hell.

Everyone she loves is in danger and she's vowed to protect them no matter what. And they've vowed to fight by her side in return. What she isn't counting on is that in love and war, sacrifices must be made.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Astrid 'Artistikem' Cruz
• Release date: Jan 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311099310

Astrid 'Artistikem' Cruz

Astrid H. Cruz a/k/a Artistikem was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1984. Writing has always been a passion of hers; she's been making up stories since she can remember. Now she writes them down in the virtual pages of the Internet for everyone to enjoy.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Arms. Around me.

Hands. Reaching out to me.

George's face inching closer. Bobby's eyes, wide as saucers, as he runs towards me.

Someone touched my shoulder and I cringed, even though I couldn't feel a thing.

It didn't take long to realize I couldn't hear either.

Hands helped me to my feet, coaxed me to follow.

At first I wasn't sure whose hands they were; all I knew was that they were warm, that they felt safe. I focused my eyes and it was Bobby who was dragging me away, walking against the current of police and paramedics rushing to the scene.

Ollie welcomed me into the van, sat me on a seat next to his, and covered me with a blanket without uttering a word. Then Armand climbed in with Bradley and we started moving. The rattling of the wheels on the cobblestones and the swaying of the giant metal cube added to my discomfort. I wanted to puke, to run, to scream, to snap in some way, but I had no strength.

The only time I lifted my eyes was to meet Armand's. Even when I tried, I couldn't get the tears to flow. It felt as if they were flooding the inside of my face but encountering a dam when they reached my eyeballs. He noticed and held me in a tight embrace.

Adrian Lang, my grandfather, was dead. My teacher and tormentor had given his life to save the man I loved.

I, on the other hand, hadn't saved his life in return.

Chapter 2

There was no chair that could contain me inside that hospital, nor a corridor long enough to stop my pacing. Millions of things were bubbling inside me.

We had all been questioned about the incident but Police Superintendent Rivero dismissed us. He was a good friend of Adrian's and obviously affected by what had happened.

There was a Christmas tree next to the nurses’ station with colored lights flashing to high-pitched electronic carols. I was making my way towards it to rip it apart when Armand intercepted me.

Scarlett, you should eat something. His hand landed on the crook of my elbow, dragging me to a corner with him.

You shouldn’t be here. I need to get you out of here; take you somewhere safe.

Scarlett, calm down. He held on to my upper arms, leaning over to level our gazes. There’s nothing else you can do.

He saved you. I still couldn’t grasp what had happened.

Sit down with me. Let me get you something.

He wasn’t the target after all. It was you. It was always you.

They’d be very stupid if they tried to get me here with so many cops around.

There was so much frustration inside me. I knew I had to calm down before continuing the conversation so I shrugged out of his grip and started walking away when Bobby came into sight.

He stretched out a hand to my shoulder but didn’t touch me, only caressed the air around it. I knew that gesture. He used to do that whenever he knew I was in distress.

This particular kind of distress.

The rifle was remote-controlled. There was no one inside the apartment.

Then we must get to that second hotel.

No one there either. No documents, nothing. Superintendent Rivero will get us the CCTV videos.

He glanced at Armand behind me but I pulled him back. How’s Raakin?

Devastated. Mahmoud isn’t exactly cooperating. How are you feeling?

I’m not sick, just pregnant.

You know what I mean.

It was starting to dawn on me that I had been exposed to all of them beyond belief. I was feeling naked all of a sudden and there was no amount of clothes that could cover me up.

Like shooting myself. I pushed him aside and stormed out of the corridor.

I heard Armand’s footsteps begin to follow me, then stop. Bobby must have been the one to bring him to a halt.

Maybe a walk would help me clear my mind. A walk that, if I let myself go with how I felt, would never end.

I didn’t get far though; Kathy had arrived with Eliza and Oksana and her arms went around me the moment I was within her reach.

I can’t, Scarlett... She cried as she buried her fingers into my aching back. I can’t lose him.

I wrapped my arms around her and filed my thoughts for later. It’s all right.

He’s going to die, isn’t he?

I shut my eyes for a second. I think yes. I was good at omitting information but never at lying, not in situations like this one.

She trembled and sobbed against me and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for making her go through this.

Sit down. We're waiting for the doctors to come out and tell us how he's doing.

I gestured Eliza to get her into a nearby waiting room. However, when I pushed Kathy off me, she clasped my hand.

Don’t leave me.

Kathy, I…

Please?

Dammit. I obliged. It was the least I could do. Armand was relieved to see me walk into that waiting room and sit next to Kathy, our hands entwined. Eliza sat on the opposite side and took her other hand. Bobby, Armand, Rhys, and Rooney each took a seat at the other end of the room.

I encountered Armand’s gaze the moment Kathy put her head on my shoulder. The amount of love in his eyes made me shiver. How could he look at me after all the shit that had been stirred?

George walked into the room, followed by Larry and, you guessed it, a doctor wearing scrubs and a face of pure defeat.

Everyone stood to hear the detailed explanation of the fatality of Adrian's wound. I couldn't listen; as much as I strained my ears no sound made it in. All I felt was Kathy’s hand squeezing mine before going limp and sliding down. I pulled her up with the help of Eliza and George and we set her back in her seat.

Adrian Lang was brain-dead. Breathing with the aid of machines.

A surge of anger ran through me and I tensed under Kathy’s half-dizzy wailing. She was pressing herself further against my chest, her face hidden under my chin and her hands making fists on the collar of my jacket.

I gathered her in my arms. For a moment I wished I could join her, that actual tears were forming in my eyes, but all I could conceive was an immeasurable anger. I couldn't comfort her. I couldn't comfort myself. I should've felt happy or, if not happy, at least okay with it. But death and murder have one unwavering characteristic: they never feel as you imagine.

The doctor asked if we wanted to see him and, of course, Kathy jumped to say yes.

I didn’t want to see him. I didn’t want to see anyone. Dead or alive.

Armand put a reassuring arm around my shoulders and I had to suppress the sudden need to duck away from it.

We were led into a room smelling of disinfectant. The constant beeping of monitors and the rhythm of the ventilator served as background music. Kathy kept an arm around my waist as we entered together, leaving the rest to watch through a glass window.

Her breathing hitched as we inched towards the man who lay on that bed. His blanched, lifeless face struck me. He looked so peaceful. Not even his signature frown was left.

The crying subsided when Kathy was able to touch him. I studied her profile and she bore no resemblance to the young woman who had sashayed her way around the party the first night after our arrival. No, this was someone else altogether. It was a woman who was slowly landing on the realization that there was an invisible knife stuck in her chest.

Adrian, she whispered, her hand sliding away from me to caress his face.

There was movement outside and I saw Jin-Jing pushing through to peek into the room. I shot her a warning look, shaking my head, and she understood that it wasn’t the right moment.

He loved you. I rubbed Kathy’s arm.

I know. Then she turned to me. He loved you, too. Even though he wronged you, believe me, he loved you. There were too many conflicted feelings inside him about you.

I wasn’t catching her drift and, sincerely, I didn’t know if I wanted to.

We’d have a conversation about this later. It’d be more prudent to let the body get cold before we started hashing out truths about him.

I glanced at the window and there was only Jin-Jing now. Kathy saw her and beckoned her to come in.

The small dark eyes framed by the cascading black hair were filled with tears. She took a couple of shy steps then halted, obviously taken aback by the sight of the man lying on that bed. She exchanged a glance with me and I pressed my lips together into a thin line.

Kathy took Jin-Jing’s hand and gently tugged her forward. To this, I stepped back. Not that the latter complained. We were both trying to drop the snideness but failing miserably.

We were sharing a moment of silence when the door opened and a black woman in her late twenties sporting a beautiful mane of curly brown hair peeked in. The moment her eyes fell on Adrian she brought one hand to her mouth, the other to her chest.

Kathy smiled at the weeping woman. Daniela. So glad you came.

Reluctant, calculated steps took the woman from the door to the bedside, from where she stroke Adrian's cheek with trembling fingers.

Bloody hell, you’ve got to be kidding me!

Chapter 3

There was nothing I could do.

There was nothing anyone could do.

I had to deal with a situation I had never thought possible. Adrian's mistresses. During her time with him, Kathy had taken on the task of befriending some who lived on the island and had done a hell of a good job of it. She had called them on her way to the hospital and they all responded quite quickly.

If only Bernarda Pontevedra were alive and could see the result of what she started. Oh yes, this was all her but that explanation would have to wait until later.

Some of them knew of my existence, others didn't. I counted a total of six and it just added to the nervous build-up I was going through.

I shut myself in one of the restrooms for a breather and had wet my hair enough to pull it into a decent ponytail when Jin-Jing stepped in.

Oh, I'm sorry. She hesitated at the door.

It's okay. I'm almost done. My shoulder was aching, making it hard to pull my hair back but I wasn't giving up.

I... Scarlett... She stood beside me, our sights on each other's reflection in the mirror over the sink.

You don't have to say anything. I winced as I pulled my hair through the last loop of the elastic band.

I have to thank you. I would've killed my mother if it hadn't been for you. She cast her eyes down, staring at the sink. I have a boyfriend back in Moscow and they threatened to kill him.

Is he safe?

He is, don't worry.

I didn't know if I actually cared, but whatever. How are you feeling?

Fucked.

I chuckled.

I'm sorry, Scarlett. I really am. I never thought they'd do that to you. That was... awful.

Did you tell him all that?

She jerked her head up to meet my eyes again. Part of it, not all. I-I never thought they'd do that, tell everyone. Your fiancé must be...

Don't. I raised an open hand to her.

She sighed, trying to control the sobs that were now coming. I loved him, Scarlett. I loved Adrian Lang like I've never loved anyone else. Not Xavi, not anyone. She turned to me, her hand finding mine over the counter. Forgive me, please, I beg of you.

I peered into the blackness of her eyes for the first time since she reappeared and found the ingenious eyes of a girl I hated so much for reasons that had nothing to do with her. She was innocent of all I accused her of. Always had been.

There's nothing to forgive. I averted my eyes in fear that I'd start weeping with her.

The sound of the paper towel dispenser took over what would've been an awkward silence.

They took Xavi back to Adrian's house. She paused to dab the corners of her eyes with the paper towel. He looks worse than the last time we saw each other.

When was that?

Months ago but only through a video transmission.

I let Eliza's girlfriend give him a taste of what she's capable of.

Eliza's girlfriend?

Oksana. They came together with us from London.

Mom told me you're here to get married.

I exhaled. I was here to complete my grandfather's termination. The wedding was a decoy until we figured out what to do to save him. I swallowed and found it hard to do. I guess we won't have to worry about that anymore.

She went back to looking at me through the reflection in the mirror as I threw cold water on my face.

It was easy with him, you know? With Adrian. She propped her hip on the edge of the sink while handing me a fresh paper towel to dry my face. Playing with him. Following his commands. The letting go. He made me feel safe. Loved. I enjoyed it. All of it. Even the times he'd punish me for not following his directions. I've always thought that had Xavi learnt to keep his cool as Adrian did, he would've been an awesome Dominant.

Okay. This was something I didn't want to talk about so early in the race.

I know he was good to you, Jin-Jing. I can't blame you for falling in love with him.

We all know what he did to you was wrong, Scarlett. And, deep inside, I know he regretted it.

He never apologized to me, though. I drew a long breath before proceeding. "Xavi was another thing. BDSM isn't violence. He was violent. Period." It was hard putting this stuff into words; however it was slowly liberating from me a weight I didn't know was pushing me down until then.

I'm in a great Dominant/submissive relationship right now and I owe it to Adrian's guidance.

Couldn't she drop it already? Look, Jin-Jing. I'm happy for you and all but I don't feel like talking about this right now.

I know we've never been friends.

It's not that. I turned so we stood face to face. For many years I took part in that lifestyle. I had my fair share of good and bad relationships while at it. I can't deny I enjoyed it while it lasted but now I feel I can do without.

I understand.

And I don't want that to taint whatever is left of my current relationship. Armand is an incredibly understanding man but a man nonetheless.

He's pacing from side to side outside the door.

I breathed in relief. Bless him.

Roberto's also out there.

That's another story, I scoffed.

I'm joining you, Scarlett. I want to take these people down too. They've done enough damage already.

Will Young summon me now that my mission got screwed?

It's protocol.

Do you have any information on Edmund Sayer? Armand's nephew?

Apart from him being sent to kill Mr. Sayer while he awaits MI6 status?

WHAT?! I shouted and she jumped in fright so I lowered my voice. MI6?

That's all I've overheard from Young's conversations. They don't get along much.

I ran my hands over my head, making the frizz in my hair behave and my shoulder protest. This is bad. This is very bad.

He's worth saving, isn't he? Mr. Sayer? If Adrian took that bullet for him.

I stared hard into her face. He's worth everything.

Someone knocked on the door and we both called for the person to come in.

Eliza peeked in. The lawyer's here with Adrian's will.

That was my cue to leave.

I didn't want to be there when he was disconnected.

Chapter 4

Bobby offered to take Armand, George, and me back to the house. Kathy understood my decision; she was in good company. Félix agreed to get the rest back safely. Ollie, Bradley, Cat, Cillian, and two cars with undercover local police were waiting for us outside. The latter were courtesy of Superintendent Rivero.

We were silent for most of the trip back to Humacao. Armand's arms were around me all the time, keeping me against his chest, and I kept my mind from wandering by counting his breaths.

George's mobile rang and we were startled by it.

It's Ollie 'ere. The friendly voice came through the speaker and we all relaxed. There's someone trying to reach Scarlett's mobile.

I checked myself for it and remembered I had left it broken and sprawled on the sidewalk next to Adrian's body. Oh my god, I think I left it behind.

No. I've got it. I rerouted the signal to my laptop. Do you want me to pass the call through? It's from a local line.

I took a long breath. Who could've gotten that number other than... Ugh. Do it, I said and felt Armand stiffen beside me.

We were all so fucking tense.

Scarlett Lang? I didn't know that voice. It's Ernesto Navarro.

Do I know you?

I refereed your first multi-gun competition.

That sneaky bastard who thought I couldn't make it through the first round. I won that competition, much to his dismay.

What do I owe this call to?

First of all, your grandfather was a good friend and will be missed. Second, I'm the current Secretary of State and I've been asked to inform you about a call the governor just received from Ethan Young regarding Adrian Lang's death.

"You? Secretary of State?"

Yes, he answered, annoyed.

Who's governor? I'm not up-to-date with the island's politics.

Bobby shot me a warning glance before Navarro answered, Javier Arriaga-Smith.

My eyes met Bobby's through the rearview mirror as I answered. Tell him to call me tomorrow and we'll sort it out.

They're meeting soon.

What for? That got me a you're-not-going-anywhere glare from Armand.

Javier's currently in Washington and flying in just for this. We can arrange accommodations for you if necessary but I think you should be here when he arrives.

Tell Arriaga-Smith I'll only see him if he himself comes to pick me up at Adrian's.

Navarro was about to say something in return when a voice broke through. A familiar one now.

How are you feeling, Miss Lang? I'm so sorry for your loss.

What the fuck, Young?

You don't feel your fingers tightening on my fleshy testicles anymore? What a shame. For you, of course.

You can't give me a moment's peace, can you?

As if you cared for the old man.

I'm getting tired of your phone calls.

"Oh yes, phone calls can be dull sometimes. However, we all know they can be the equivalent of a thumbs up or thumbs down, a go or no-go on a mission. Or it could be a pleading grandfather asking for his granddaughter's life to be spared, willing to take on the consequences of such act. The only time I've heard Adrian Lang cry was that night he called me, a week after your capture in Gibraltar. The same man who started this project, the one whose hand didn't shake to prove to the governments of the world that killing his own blood was just part of the business. Adrian Lang. Can you imagine? Please don't hurt her. Please don't kill her. She's the best asset you can have. She's my granddaughter, for fuck's sake! It was dull, it was very, very dull."

LIAR!

That's where you're wrong. I don't like lies – that's why I never tell them. All my life I've been straightforward. People have this thing against the truth; they fear it so much, they can't stand it. Don't they know it's stranger than fiction?

Young. Armand roared beside me.

Sayer! Young exclaimed. I was hoping you would join this conversation.

Stop this. You've done enough damage already.

Me? I'm a mere messenger and the only one being truthful, apparently, as I'm not the one riding in that SUV driven by the man who killed my sister.

OH MY FUCKING GOD.

Bobby froze, his hands on the steering wheel turning white-knuckled. George closed his fist over the phone.

Armand's hand squeezed mine.

Silent all of a sudden? Have you forgotten what this project is about? Families killing their own. Of course we sent Roberto to kill Rafael; we just weren't counting on Helga being with him. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time and brilliant CIA agent Cisneros wasn't leaving any witnesses behind.

Ferdinand, I whispered. It came out louder than expected.

"He was on the list and he knew it. His mission had been completed and he was starting to become more of a liability by acting as a savior. You've always thought of yourself as the savior when all you've ever been is a puny little victim."

I turned to look at Armand, searching for a reaction but he hadn't even stirred.

What do you want, Young? I cried. What is it you fucking want?

"It's never been about what I want but what they want."

They? Who?

You'll learn it sooner rather than later. He hung up.

George shoved the phone into one of his pockets.

This couldn't be happening. Adrian's body was still warm and yet the fan kept spreading shit all over us.

I didn't dare speak to Armand since he'd been doing a great job of containing his emotions. It scared me, the way he was looking out the window in silence.

Bobby did something that triggered a keep driving from George.

I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe. This was too much, too soon.

When we arrived at the house, Bobby walked in front of us, making a beeline towards the back doors, probably heading for Raakin's yacht still parked at the dock.

Some of our companions arrived right behind us. I got a glimpse of Rhys and Rooney as we marched up the front steps. The rest were either around or would arrive later.

I didn't care. I wasn't counting heads in this little trip of ours. Just like I wasn't letting Bobby run away and hide like a spoiled kid.

Scarlett! The cry came from both Armand and George the moment I darted behind Bobby's retreating back.

He twisted his head towards me in time for a slap to land on his left cheek. You monster! And was too stunned to react as I landed punches on his chest and arms. How could you?! How could you kill them and be standing here!

Armand's arm was around my chest, pulling me back and away from the man who stood frozen, red-nosed with tears rolling down his cheeks.

You fucking murderer! I kept screaming, fighting against Armand's grip.

Jimmy stepped forward, as if to pull Bobby away. I managed to wiggle out of Armand's hold and push Jimmy off to the side.

You knew, right? You knew he killed them. All this time you kept telling me Ferdinand felt his death coming. It took Jimmy by surprise that I was now addressing him and not Bobby. That he was pulling all the information he could because he felt it. Bullshit! He didn't feel it, he fucking knew! He always knew. My hands went instinctively to my head while I switched to the still frozen Bobby. He always knew.

Scarlett... Bobby breathed through his tears.

He always knew. It was getting harder to breathe. He fucking knew everything. Information was his thing. That was why he always knew. Were you ever going to tell me, Bobby? Were you ever going to tell me you killed them?

Yes, he nodded, ever so slowly.

When?

When the time came.

Oh for fuck's sake! I landed another punch on his upper arm and all he did was wince.

Stop it. Armand twirled me away from Bobby, putting himself between us.

He killed them! I cried.

He leveled his eyes to mine. We knew that already.

What?! How? No...

"Yes. However, this isn't

Reviews for The Beast (Book 3 of The Caregiver Series)

[stacejb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book continues right where book two left off, and it doesn't disappoint.After the assassination of her grandfather, she continues with her wedding plans with Armand all while trying to figure out the and stop the plans that are in motion for the Filius Project.We get to find out more about Scarlett and her past, and you have to be impressed with how strong she is considering everything she's been through. We also find out more about the players in the Project, and we see the measures they're willing to go to get everyone in line. Despite the lies she's fed from her superior, Scarlett doesn't believe them. She knows that Armand loves her, and that there are many people that are counting on her to find a way to stop the Project.This is a fast-paced, action-filled read. In order to understand all the characters and the running story-line, it is highly recommended that you read the first two books in the series before diving into this one.I can't wait for the next book in series to see how this all plays out.**A free copy was provided by the author**