Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele
Heart 56

Chapter 36 Chapter 56 [Cordelia]

"Angelica," I gasp as I let my face go slack and my eyes grow wide. "Where am I? How did I get here?"

Angelica slowly changes her own demeanor to match my own, her feline grin softening into something sweeter and less toxic. "Oh you poor sweet dear," she coos as she takes my arm to gently guide me back towards my room. "Do you not remember where you are? You are home of course."

"Home," I continue to pretend. "Of course, this must be home because you are here."

"That's right," her smile grows larger. "I'm here to take care of you.

I let her tuck me into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin like she used to do when I was a small child when she'd sometimes keep me company when I was feeling frightened or alone.

She is, after all, my big sister. She has always taken care of me before. Or at least she did before everything changed.

"You really should rest more, in your condition. It isn't safe for you to be wandering in the dark

She pulls

something out from under the bed, something that jingles with the bell like ringing of metal again al

"What are you doing?" I ask, curious as she pulls something across my feet.

"Something I should have done earlier, I'm afraid," she shakes her head. "You see it really isn't safe for you to wander. You might stumble into something."

The tight cinching of a belt across my legs along with the jingle of a buckle closing draws my attention more closely to her hands, just in time to see what she has done.

"Why have you strapped me to the bed?" I cry, this time truly confused.

"Did you think I didn't notice you listening to us earlier she smirks. "Seriously, sister, you are a terrible liar." She adjusts the belt more securely. "You always have been. Did you really think that we believed you?

"I don't understand," I whimper as she pulls another strap from under the bed to belt my arm. I move it out

of the way.

"Of course you don't understand, you simpering fool," she hisses. "You're far too self-centered to think about anyone other than yourself."

Her words have a familiar sting. I have heard them so many times from those who are supposed to love me. Why should she be any different?

She grabs for my arm again which I snatch back out of her reach:

Angelica slaps me hard enough to draw blood as her nails graze my face. Gasping for air, I touch my cheek with my other hand as she straps down the first.

"Behave, or I'll have Jude force you," she snaps, her grip becoming more forceful as she grabs my other arm. "I have no problem keeping you drugged until you are finally of use to us. I need you well enough to donate your womb. I don't need you to be conscious to do that." "Why are you doing this," I demand. "Why do you...do you...

Chapter 56

+25 BONUS

"Hate you so much, Little Sister?" her tongue twists around the words. "Do you have no idea how much. you have ruined my life? You told me we'd be safe, that you'd plan a small accident and we'd all be safe. And then you lost control of the car. You lost control...and so I'm taking it back!"

"Please," I beg. "Please Just let me go."

"Alas, I cannot," she sighs. "You have something that I want." She points to my small round belly.

"My baby?" I ask.

She laughs. "Not your baby. I couldn't care less about your precious bundle. I want your womb."

My

mind flashes back to the hidden room in Jude's house. "My womb."

"Yes," her teeth glow in the moonlight, her eyes wide and unfocused. "You will give it to me to replace the one you destroyed. As my sister, you will be the best match. No other womb will do. If anything, it is the least you could do." And with that final statement, she leaves me alone in the cold, yellow room.