“Bitch!”
His expletive is followed by a sharp inhale as his hold loosens. I capitalize on the momentary weakness and break free, ripping the hair pin from his flesh. Then I spin on my heel, only to find another masked recruit materializing right in front of me, blocking my path.
Trapped between two men, I frantically scan my surroundings for the best escape route. The first recruit quickly recovers from my attack and lunges for me. I shriek in outrage and leap back.
Just as he’s about to grab me, a blur of movement disrupts him. The newcomer knocks his arm away and plants himself by my side, so close I can feel the heat of his body.
“She’s a fighter,” the newcomer says.
Recognition zips through me like an eclectic shock.
He cocks his head and the black gashes on his mask glint under the moonlight. “You sure you can handle her?”
The other recruit with the dotted mask flips him off. “I’ll do more than handle her. I’m going to fuck the fight right out of her.”
I retreat a step. The action has both men shifting their attention to me. Despite the tremors wracking my limbs, I stand there, keeping my head held high. “Why don’t you guys fuck each other? I’m sure your holes are tighter than mine.”
The newcomer laughs. “This bride is definitely mine.”
“Fuck off, X. If you’re lucky, I’ll let you have her.” He looks at me with a narrowed gaze, his eyes blazing. “After I’ve stretched every one of her holes.”
“No names,” Xavier says, a hint of warning in his voice. “That’ll cost you.” He turns his head to stare deep into my eyes. “Run, little raptor. I’m coming for you.”
Chapter 26
DELILAH
Un-fucking-believable.
Xavier and the other masked man engage in a struggle, each one trying to gain the upper hand, creating a window of opportunity for me. I sprint away from them, legs burning and lungs shuddering. The echoes of their fight follow me as I push through my discomfort and fear.
My muscles protest each step, and thorns from the underbrush cut my skin. A low-hanging branch scratches my cheek. All of these injuries are but a sample of the pain I’ll experience if I give up.
With each stride, I replay the recent interaction, all of my thoughts centered on Xavier. I recognized his voice. It’s haunted me since the other night in the parking lot when his body was pressed against mine and his whispered words grazed my ears.
I knew he was part of the fraternity, but to come face-to-face with him under these circumstances is something else entirely. Then for him to say I belonged to him while using that stupid nickname? There’s no doubt in my mind who he is.
He won’t catch me.
I force myself to go faster. The canopy of leaves overhead signals my lack of freedom. The edge of the forest can’t be too much further. I hope.
A quick glance over my shoulder reveals nothing but impenetrable darkness.
The idea of being caught makes me push my body to its limits. My chest heaves, the burning of my lungs searing me from the inside out. They spasm, robbing me of breath until I stagger, falling to my knees.
The hairpin lands in the grass beside me. I hang my head, gulping in air like a fish on land. My vision blurs with tears, and I blink them away. I can’t afford to cry, despite having every reason to.
When I lift my gaze, I gasp. The scream on my tongue never reaches the air. Xavier’s voice wraps around my throat like a fist, choking me.
“You’re beautiful on your knees, little raptor. Crawl to me and I might let you come.”
“Fuck you.”
His eyes brighten behind the mask. “That’s the idea.”
Adrenaline shoots straight to my heart. I grab the hair pin before jumping to my feet. Then I take a step back. He doesn’t follow. Instead, he stands there and watches me, his silver gaze gleaming with yearning. Is it pure lust, or is it something deeper? Something darker?
“Don’t touch me,” I say.
