My father had tried to warn me. Had told me, over and over, that Prime was dangerous. That the boy he had raised had become something cold and ruthless. That I should stay away from him.
I hadn’t listened.
And now I was paying the price.
Thad finished wrapping the bandage around my head, his movements clinical, detached. But when he was done, he didn’t step back.
He stayed close.
Too close.
“You know,” he said, his voice different now. Lower. “Prime is gonna be gone for a while.”
Something in his tone made my skin crawl.
“So?”
“So…” He reached out and touched my face. Not gently. Possessively. His thumb tracing my cheekbone, his eyes traveling down my body in a way that made my stomach turn. “Seems like a waste. Pretty thing like you, all tied up. Nobody around to hear nothing.”
“Don’t touch me.”
He smiled. It was the first expression I’d seen on his face since I’d been brought here, and it was terrifying. Empty. The smile of a man who felt nothing. Who wanted nothing except what he could take.
“You ain’t in a position to be giving orders, princess.”
“Prime will kill you.”
“Prime don’t know what I do when he’s not around.” He leaned closer, his breath hot against my neck. “And you ain’t gonna tell him. Know why?”
I couldn’t speak. Could barely breathe.
“Because by the time he gets back, you’re gonna be too ashamed to say a word. That’s how it always works with girls like you.” He pulled back slightly, studying my face. “Pretty girls. Rich girls. Girls who think they’re better than everybody else.”
“Please—”
He licked the side of my face.
One long, slow stroke from my jaw to my temple. His tongue wet and rough against my skin.
I screamed. Thrashed against the restraints. But my wrists were still bound, my ankles still tied, my body still weak from blood loss and shock.
“Yeah.” His voice was thick now. Hungry. “Fight. I like it when they fight.”
“NO! GET OFF ME! HELP! SOMEBODY?—”
His hand clamped over my mouth.
“Nobody’s coming, princess. Nobody can hear you. It’s just you and me.”
His other hand moved to his belt.
I screamed behind his palm. Thrashed. Bit. Fought with everything I had left.
It wasn’t enough.
Prime
Quest and Justice were already waiting when I walked in.
