“And how many sexual partners have you had?” the doctor asks.
I pinch my thumb hard. “I’ve never… none.”
Cheeks flaming red, I glance at Wolfgang to see if he paid attention, but he continues to be absorbed by whatever conversation he’s having on his phone.Good.
When I turn back to Dr. Stamos, he’s holding a needle inches away from my arm.
“This will hurt just a little.”
I shrink back. “W-What is this? What are you doing?”
Wolfgang’s head rises from the phone, throwing me a threatening look.
You will stay,he seems to say.
Before I get to tell him to go fuck himself, the needle pokes through my skin, pinching me as Dr. Stamos pushes whatever serum he’s got in there into my arm. My best bet is some form of birth control.
When he’s done, he puts a small band-aid over the area, telling me we’re done.
“Let’s go,” Wolfgang says, standing up.
I let my feet touch the floor and, without saying thank you or looking back, I exit the office before Wolfgang has a chance to grab the back of my neck again.
But he’s right behind me, and I can feel him—feel his presence looming there with every step, and I know if he wanted to, he’d reach for me with his claws, dragging me to him.
So I don’t stop. I don’t turn. I just keep moving, my pulse hammering as I step outside.
The cool air still lingering after the rain does nothing to cool the heat crawling up my spine. Reaching the car parked out front, I get in, and slam the door behind me. Consequences be damned.
***
The rest of the drive is exactly the same as before—silent.
Through the window, the city lights blur past until they disappear entirely and a lone forest road swallows us. This is what Alemont City does: hides the most notorious criminals of this country in a haven that’s close enough to New York for them to operate from here, but far enough to stay under the radar.
Wolfgang’s home—amansion—is a three-story behemoth of stone, glass, and shadows, with two outstretched wings that make it look like a true fortress. My parents may be rich, but this… this is on a completely different level.
The long, winding driveway snakes beyond two iron gates that open for us with a mechanical hum—eerie and as inviting as a wraith welcoming me to hell.Myhell.
The car stops, and the driver gets out, but I take a moment to ground myself before I do the same.
“You’ve got two options,” Wolfgang says, and this time, I turn to face those haunting eyes. “You can stay close to me, do as I say, and no one will hurt you. Or… you can pull that shit again and stray away from me like a wildcat. But I am warning you, Victoria, other people in this house will want to harm you.”
I scoff, but a chill curls down my spine. People worse than him? I doubt that.
But then again…. I have no idea who they are or what his family is made of, other than the horrifying rumors I’ve heard. So he could be telling the truth… or he could be trying to manipulate me.
“Wait here,” he commands before leaning into the door and exiting the car. I don’t get a chance to protest, but it’s not like I’m eager to go into that house anyway. All I want is to be away from him.
Except… he doesn’t leave. No.
He just stands there, at a short distance, casually texting someone. Keeping me on edge, letting me wonder about his return or his next command.
I hate it.
Minutes pass, and my restlessness grows. I sit with my hands in my lap, pressing down on each of my fingers as a way to self-soothe.
He laughs at something—a low, muffled chuckle—then picks up a call. I watch him stand there and do nothing, and my blood boils, because his waiting game feels like just another way for him to assert his dominance over me. To show me who’s in control.
