When I press Play, a room comes into view. It’s the same one she was in for her initiation, but only Evan is currently present. He’s got his back to the camera, tossing some things onto a tray, but I’m unable to see what they are.
The door opens and Eve is shoved into it. “Fucking bitch,” she hisses at the man who pushed her inside before turning to face Evan.
The door opens once again, and my pulse races when I see who has entered. Her back is to him, so she doesn’t notice. Too focused on Evan.
“Get on the table,” Evan orders her.
“I will not,” she argues, snorting.
Evan turns to face her. His eyes flicker to the Lord watching their exchange. “If you don’t?—”
“You will have to make me,” she interrupts him.
I love my girl, but she’s so stubborn. It’s going to get her killed one day.
“Eve…” Evan smirks. He’s enjoying this. “We’ve talked about this.”
“And I told you to go to hell.” She spins around to rush out of the room but doesn’t get far. The Lord swings, punching her in the face.
My heart races when she drops to the concrete floor like deadweight. She didn’t even see his fist coming.
She’s on her side, her legs and arms twisted, matted hair covering parts of her already bruised face. Now it’s bleeding.
“Put her on the table,” Evan orders the kid who brought her into the room while he walks over to the Lord. “Mr. Reeves. What a surprise.”
Garrett shakes his hand while he watches the kid arrange an unconscious Eve on the table. “Still as stubborn as ever, I see,” he says, referring to his daughter.
Evan squares his shoulders as if offended, and I get a sickening feeling. “It takes time, sir, but I assure you, she will submit.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” Garrett crosses his arms over his chest.
Evan turns and walks over to the counter while the kid prepares Eve.Arms out to her sides and strapped down to the table, palms up. A thick belt around her chest, stomach, and upper thighs, along with her ankles.
All I can think isat least her legs are closed. They’re not going to rape her. But if not that, then what? Why did Evan want her in this room to begin with, and why is her father here? He tossed her away like trash. Why does he care about her progress?
Everett groans in pain as she starts to come around, arching her neck.
I run a hand through my hair.Goddammit, Eve.At least she’s alive. I just keep reminding myself that they don’t want her dead.
Evan starts opening and slamming cabinets, and my stomach knots. He’s changing his plan. Now he’s going to prove a point to Garrett at Eve’s expense.
“Here.” Evan wads up what looks like black fabric that has a belt connected to it. “Put this on her,” he orders the kid.
The Lord-in-training starts to softly push Eve’s hair off her bruised and bloody face.
“Give me that,” Garrett snaps, yanking what I now see is a hood from the kid’s hands. He shoves it over Eve’s head and face, not caring about being gentle as he stretches it. The fabric is tight, showing off the hollowness in her eye sockets, the curve of her nose, her sunken-in cheekbones, and her chin before he pulls it down to cover her neck. It has a thick belt that Garrett pulls tight and buckles in the front.
Eve moves once more. “Wh-at?” The only part of her face that can be seen is her mouth. She licks her busted lips, smearing the blood across them.
“This as well.” Evan tosses something else to Garrett.
He snatches it midair and then grips Eve’s cheeks painfully, making a cry ring out in the quiet room. He shoves the black rubber into her mouth. It resembles a mouthpiece with a hole in the center for her to breathe out of. He pushes her head up, fastens it, and then drops it to the metal table.
She can no longer see or speak. It’s probably also hard for her to hear. She’s helpless. At their mercy.
Her hands fist, and she starts to fight the restraints. She’s coming around now, and I shift in my seat. “Hold on, angel,” I whisper to my phone. Whatever it is, it can’t last forever. She’s in bed right behind me. This isn’t the end for her.
Bill finds her and pulls her out of this hell. He saves her.
