“That would fuck both of us, Alex,” I reply, clenching my teeth with anger. I remained dead still, not trying to buck him off or punch his lights out. Why play my hand when all he wanted to do was assert a bit of pissy dominance? I’d learned a long time ago that my pride was only damaged if I allowed it.
For what seemed like the thousandth time, I reminded myself that my problems couldn’t be solved by beating the ever-loving crap out of him. A move like that only ended one of two ways. Either I killed him, and then I was responsible for killing the crown heir of Australasia… Or I didn’t, and it just made my own situation worse with his petty anger and revenge tactics. Nope, right now, as much as I hated it, Alex held too much power over me and my freedom.
He hummed a thoughtful sound. “But would it? Stupid, lovesick Rafe would never let them execute you, and I bet it’d bereallyeasy to get them to release you into my custody.”
My stomach churned, and nausea made me dizzy. Custody would give him total control over my life—where I went, who I spoke to, what I spent my money on. But then again, was that really any different from his current plan to make me his personal baby machine?
“Of course, it doesn’t have to be like that, Violet.” He released my hair and spun me around to face him. “All I need to know is that you’re not going to cause any trouble for me. The lottery has run this way for generations and is controlled by much bigger players than you or I. Don’t make waves because your feelings are hurt.”
I seethed. “So, sit down and look pretty? That’s what I’m expected to do?”
He laughed, throwing his head back with mirth. “Oh, babe. No. I also expect you to spread your legs on cue. Think you can handle that?”
Vomit threatened to come up. “I think I’d prefer to take my chances with the Swiss Guard, thanks.” I tried to slide out from between him and the bookcase, but he pressed his body harder against me, trapping me.
This time when he laughed, it was that awful, dark sound. His villain laugh, as I was starting to think of it. “You gonna force my hand, Violet? You didn’t have any problems taking my cock two weeks ago. You were practically begging for it, as I remember.” His hips rocked into me, and I realized with utter revulsion how hard he was.
“I thought I wasin lovewith you two weeks ago, Alex,” I hissed at him, my words dripping with scorn. “Or with the person you pretended to be. Now I know better, so get the fuck away from me before I make you.”
His mocking smile said it all. Sure he’d heardgossipabout Violence; he’d even connected the dots and correctly guessed she was me. But he hadn’t witnessed my fight firsthand. He hadn’t seen the bloody pulp I’d reduced my nameless, faceless opponent to… all the while picturing it was Alex. He was a damn fool.
“How about you stop with the posturing and empty threats and use those lips for something far more valuable?” he suggested and actually reached down to unfasten his pants.
I wished I was making this up.
“Oh hell no,” I spat, reaching down between us and grabbing a solid fistful of his balls—through his pants, mind you. “You need a lesson on how to act like a decent human being, Alex.” I was snarling now, and my fist tightened enough that Alex’s eyes went wide and he stopped breathing. “I personally don’t have the time or desire to teach you, so we’ll do it the easy way. Listenrealcarefully because I won’t repeat myself. Try to force me into a sexual situation one more time, and I’ll personally rip your balls clean off your body, then shove them down your throat. Ever seen someone bleed to death from their missing scrotum, Alex? I have.”
Just to drive my point home, I gave a little yank and twist, drawing a satisfying yelp from my loathsome ex-boyfriend.
“Glad we understand each other,” I whispered, then released his junk and shoved him hard enough to send him sprawling on the floor. “I almost feel sorry for Claudette.”
With one last disgusted sneer, I stepped over his groaning, fetal-positioned body and hurried my ass out of the library.
When the heavy doors swung shut behind me, I broke into a run, and by the time I’d arrived at the dorms, my whole body was shaking with tremors. I knew that I could beat Alex down in a fight, but this was so much more than that. He was a powerful heir who could destroy every aspect of my life, and I couldn’t kill him or I’d end up in prison or executed.
He fucking had me.
Without even realizing it, I’d let him into my head. My body’s reaction was a clear reminder that I could never outrun my past, that the scars of shitty foster homes and even shittier foster parents would stay with me for a long, long time.
Sniffling, I knocked on the door I’d arrived at.
“Hey,” I croaked, when the door opened, and even though I’d promised myself I wouldn’t cry over that fuck, one or two tears escaped. “Can I come in?”
Chapter 13
Rafe stared at me, his face blank and unreadable, but not cold.
Stepping back, he opened the door and allowed me inside. Moving past him, I didn’t look around, knowing he wouldn’t want me prying into his personal shit.
I actually didn’t even care what was in here, and I had no idea why, of all people, Rafe was the one I’d run to. Jordan made more sense, especially with Mattie currently out of commission.
Speaking of. “Is she okay?”
Rafe always seemed to know everything. I was praying he wouldn’t let me down with this.
“Alex was two minutes from creating an international incident between Australasia and the Guays. And in that situation, one is a superpower, and the other is… not.”
Spoken matter-of-factly.
