She rolls her eyes as Liem tugs savagely, moving the chair.
“Honestly. This is why you can’t send a man to do a woman’s job.” She snatches the bottle from Elroy and gently takes my chin in her embrace. Her hand is gentle and welcoming as she slowly pours the water into my mouth that feels like sandpaper.
I don’t care if she knows I’m enjoying it, the water is heavenly.
“Slow down gorgeous and save some for your man. He’s lookin’ a bit dry.”
I immediately snap my head away, too caught up in the moment. It’s selfish and Liem needs the hydration, too.
“No.” He shakes his head. “Give her the rest.”
She clicks her tongue. “Ah but there’s plenty. I don’t need you dying on me.” Her hips swing with each step as she struts away. “Drink, pretty boy.” Using her manicured nail, she lifts Liem’s chin.
I ignore the urge to yell out in a crazed madness watching her seductively pawing at him. He needs to survive, and I can’t let my emotions get in the way of it.
“Good. That’s good,” she purrs.
Liem’s throat bobs as he swallows, Elroy eyeing him like he wants to castrate him. Jealously will eat anyone alive. There’s a touch envy too as he watches them.
“That should be enough for now.” They start to leave us, but I call out in desperation.
“What are you going to do with us?! You can’t just leave us down here!”
She traces me up and down with an oddly sincere smile. “I haven’t decided yet, babe.”
They disappear back upstairs leaving us in the cold, damp, dungeon once more. A dungeon that reminds me of the very place I’d rather die than relive.
THIRTY-SIX
Hush
I watch Danika sleep. Her copper hair pouring down over her breasts. I love to watch her. Watch her small breaths. Knowing she’s here and alive. She’s at peace when she sleeps. Her beauty and serenity wearing off on me and I crave it like a sick fuck.
Hours pass and I’ve been fighting like hell to get out of these ties for most of them. Wet liquid runs off my wrists, assuming it’s blood and not sweat. If only I can get free, but then what? I wouldn’t be able to protect Danika. Not like this. Not without knowing the numbers were up against.
Fuck.
I thrust upward, creating a loud noise from the chair lifting and then falling.
Danika jolts awake and I curse myself for letting my anger get the best of me. The marks on her throat taunt me like a nightmare and I can’t wait to get my hands on that fucker. Her cheek reddened, too. He dared put his hands on what’s mine.
I’m going to fucking kill him for it.
Yes, I’m claiming her. She just doesn’t know it yet. She’ll be mine forever, whether she wants to be with me or not. She’s mine to protect. I just hope she’ll forgive me. I don’t blame her if she tells me to go fuck myself after what I’ve done. The abandonment she must have felt.
“How long did I sleep?” her voice raspy, dry, and full of suffering.
“Not long enough. You need to rest.”
“What I need isyou.”
A lump forms in my throat, gratitude beyond anything I can compare rams into me. How can she be so forgiving? “You shouldn’t say that. I hurt you.”
“You’rehurting.” She’s stern in her words. Yes, I was hurting. I still might be, but it’s different now. It’ll all be different. “Where did you go when you left?”
I stare out at nothingness, not dare meeting her eyes. “I went to see Gracie.” I flick back to her, and pain coats her expression.
“Oh.” But her tone isn’t bitter, it’s an understanding. “I think that’s good.” But still, her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes as she looks down.
