“Please!” Nila plastered herself against the door, jiggling the doorknob with her hand. It was pointless. I had the key in my pocket. “You don’t have to do this.”
Cut slowly placed his empty glass on the table and stood. Undoing his cufflinks, he rolled up his sleeves, systematically and refined, never rushing. “I think you’ll find, my dear, that we do.”
Nodding in her direction, he ordered, “Jet, enough dallying. Grab the girl and let’s get on with this.”
“Be my pleasure.” I advanced on Nila.
Blues and greys decorated the room. The wallpaper was an oriental silk that was so vibrant, the indigo pattern bounced off Nila’s black hair.
“Stop it,” Nila snarled. “Don’t.”
Standing in front of her, I held out my hand. “This can be easy or hard. Your choice.”
“I hate it when you do that! Can’t you see I don’t want a choice?!”
I narrowed my eyes. What the fuck did that mean?
Cut chuckled. “You want us to take full responsibility for what’s happening to you, is that right? When will you admit that you’re the same as us? Doing something willingly doesn’t mean you’re going to hell, pretty girl. But fighting us at every step doesn’t mean you’ll go to heaven, either.”
I waved my hand, openly revealing the tattoos on my fingertips. “Your choice, Nila. Own free will or restraints.”
Nila visibly trembled. A curtain fell over her face, blocking all thoughts.
In a quick move, as if her courage would desert her, she pushed off from the door and brushed past me.
I smiled, dropping my hand. “Good girl.”
“Where?” Nila snapped when she stood by the table, her body vibrating with tension.
“Climb on,” Cut said.
With ferocity coating her face, Nila scooted onto the table and lay down. She lay there as if she was in a coffin. Her hands clasped tight on her lower belly, her chest rising and falling with panic.
She refused to look at either of us, glowering at the ceiling.
Cut patted her arm. “See...that wasn’t so hard now, was it?”
She stiffened, her fingers turning white.
Cut stroked her gently. “I must admit. I missed your presence in my home.” He smiled wider. “You’re such fun to torment.” He traced her collarbone. “However, these past few weeks have been rather enlightening. In fact, I’m delighted with the outcome and only have you to thank for it.” Throwing a look my way, he grinned. “You gave me my son. Myrealson. And for that I will always be grateful to you, my dear.”
Bending over, he pressed a soft kiss on her mouth.
Nila shuddered, twisting her head to the side.
I just stood there.
No feeling.
No jealousy.
No remorse.
“Don’t fight it,” Cut murmured. “Don’t ruin what you’ve started.”
Nila pressed herself deeper onto the table, no doubt trying to become invisible but not succeeding. I moved closer, taking the side opposite my father. Her eyes met mine, wide and feral. She sent a silent message, so loud and obvious I was sure my father saw.
Why are you doing this?
