“Bear, leave her alone,” Kai says from somewhere in the dark room.
Bear moves his fingers along my throat, between my neck and ear.I feel thethump thumpof my pulse against his touch.He wraps his fingers around my crystal necklace and tugs, cutting off the air to my lungs.I want to scream.
“You feel that?”he whispers, his hot breath tickling my ear.I shake my head, and Bear chuckles, then releases the necklace.I gasp for air.“You are my favorite captive yet, and I’ve only had you for a couple of hours.There’s so much more fun to be had, my princess.”
I force open my eyes, glaring into his bright-green irises, and roll my shoulders back.“Fuck you.I’m no one’s captive, and I won’t be here much longer.”
Bear laughs.“We’ll see about that.Keep on fighting me, princess.It makes it so much more fun.”
“Enough!”Kai yells.His reflection bounces off the mirrors, and he watches me with a mixture of pain and hatred.“Take her and put her somewhere safe.”
Bear steps away, and my back sags against the mirror.My breathing evens back out, and I look between Bear, Kai, and the open door.I could try to run for it, but I’m not going to get far if I do—and I presume Zion is still on the other side of that door, anyway.
Bear reaches for me, and I move out of his way.Glass pierces my bare feet.Ouch.The corner of his mouth lifts before he pounces, gripping my forearm, then he pulls me out of the room and back into the living room.
Zion is gone, and Kai exits through another door, leaving it open behind him.The cool night air whips through the space, kissing my cheeks.An exit.
I stare at the empty doorway longingly.If I can break free from Bear’s hold and run, I’ll make it outside.
With all the strength I have left, I slam my foot down on Bear’s, and he growls, releasing my arm slightly, which gives me enough momentum to break free.
I run without looking back toward the open door.
Freedom, here I come.
Chapter Twelve
Bear
She’s not getting away from me.From us.She’s only been here a couple of hours, and I’m already hooked.
She isn’t like anyone else I’ve ever met.There’s a fire in her eyes, waiting to explode.Begging to be released.She isn’t fit to be a princess of The Brotherhood, protected and hidden away in her castle.Fuck, no.Amirah Ledger is a queen, a leader.I can feel it.She has so much power just waiting to be pulled from within her, and I’m going to help her.Help her see that and step into her power.By testing her limits.By challenging her until she’s at breaking point, then watching as she rises from the ashes.
Her long black hair blows behind her shoulders as she runs through the living room, straight toward the open door.Fucking Kai.Why would he leave it open?
Because he wants her to leave.He wants to give her an option.He’s fucking weak when it comes to women.Freya’s always been his downfall, and now he’s helping Amirah.
I’ll give her to the count of ten once she’s out of sight.My breathing picks up.
Don’t let her leave.Get her.
I will.Wait.Seven, eight, nine, and ten.
I move at speed up the stairs.The cool night air is a welcome relief.The lights from my amusement park make it easy for me to spot her running on the dirt path along the line of my park, past the roller coasters, her long hair moving with the wind.I sprint after her, getting closer and closer.She glances over her shoulder, her gaze catching mine.The skin between her eyebrows pinches and her eyes widen.
She pushes her legs faster and harder, but she’s not as quick as me.I turn, moving behind one of the roller coasters.She doesn’t know this place like I do.She’ll think she’s free, that I’m gone, and that’s how I like it.I want her to feel that excitement building inside her.To believe she’s nearly out of here for good.
Her heavy breathing sounds close as I reach the end of the roller coaster, stand in the shadow of the control booth, and wait.Five, four, three, two, and one.
I jump out and she screams.Covering her mouth with my hand, I pull her back against me.She thrashes against my hold, her elbows hitting into my stomach, but I don’t dare let her go.After a minute, her body deflates and she gives in, as if now she knows her fate.
My finger reaches her pulse on her wrist, and it thumps percussively, just like someone playing the drums.I release my hand covering her mouth, and she sucks in a couple of deep breaths.
I pull her back around the roller coaster, heading straight for the slide.
As I shove Amirah onto the faded yellow slide, she doesn’t fight me.She knows she can’t escape—at least, not tonight.I can imagine that flame still burning beneath her eyes, and I don’t ever want that to disappear.I want it to grow brighter, and I’m going to have fun playing with her, bringing out the best of her.
“Time for our beauty sleep, princess.”I press a sloppy kiss against her cheek before shoving her forward.A small gasp leaves her throat as she disappears down the tube, and I follow her.
