“You love me?” he splutters, and the awestruck, hopeful look in his eyes hurts me as much as it overjoys me.
“Completely and utterly.” I palm his face, bringing his mouth to mine. I kiss him softly, pouring everything I feel for him into every sweep of my lips, and his mouth moves tenderly against mine, in a way that isn’t usual, sending my heart careening around my chest.
This guy. He’s such a conundrum, but I wouldn’t change a single thing about him.
He’s perfect for me.
“For now and forever,” I add over his lips. “To the ends of time.”
“Lo.” His tone is barely louder than a whisper and dripping with emotion. “I know I fell in love with you that day we first met because you’ve consumed my thoughts from that very first second.” He threads his hands in my hair, gripping my neck, moving our faces even closer. “But I didn’t realize it until recently because I’ve never known what love feels like. You’ve shown me that.”
Tears sting the backs of my eyes, and my heart is so full it feels like it could burst.
“You own me, body, heart, and soul.” His eyes flood with adoration. “I love you too, Harlow. Always have. Always will.”
We move like magnets, clinging to one another as we kiss like we’ll never get to do it again. Our hearts beat in sync as we drink from one another, our kissing growing more heated the longer it continues, and I could happily stay here in Saint’s arms, letting his drugging kisses distract me, but I’ve got a decision to make, and I don’t want to drag it out, because that’s not fair to any of them.
Reluctantly, I break the kiss, resting my head on his chest, listening to his heart thump under my ear. “You make everything feel right, princess,” Saint whispers. “And I’ll be okay with whatever you decide.” I’m not sure if he’s trying to convince himself, or me, but, deep down, we both know that’s a lie.
I head upstairs to search for Mom, but it’s quiet up here too. They must have gone out without their cars. It’s Saturday evening, so they’re probably at dinner and planning on drinking themselves into oblivion, like usual. It’s clear Sinner only called us back out of spite, so I message Ashley, telling her we’ll meet her at the party later. One of the Lowell Academy jocks is throwing an open party, and it promises to be crazy. I could definitely use a little crazy right now.
I don’t bother unpacking, depositing my bag on the floor in my closet, hoping we get to go to the barn sooner rather than later. Lately, being around this house makes my skin crawl. The barn instantly felt like home, and I’d much rather live there. I plug my earphones in, blasting Paramore, as I flop on my bed, trying to make sense of the mess in my head.
Theo calls me down when the pizza arrives, and we share a few beers as we eat. Conversation is muted, but the tension from the car is gone, thanks to my recent convo with Saint. We’re clearing away the plates when Saint’s cell pings. Pulling it out, he scowls, rubbing the back of his neck.
“What is it?” Galen asks, immediately on guard.
“It’s Sinner. He’s summoned us to the basement.”
“The basement?” All the tiny hairs lift on my arms.
He’s been here this whole time?
“What the fuck is he doing in our space?” The only time Sinner goes down there is to bark orders or grab the guys to do his bidding.Is nowhere safe from ruination?“That asshole puts me in an instant bad mood,” I hiss, slamming dinnerware into the dishwasher. “I’m likely to punch him in his smug face the second I see him,” I warn. I’ve lots of pent-up emotion that needs an outlet.
“Get in line,” Saint drawls. “If he even looks funny at you, I’m liable to lay him out flat.”
“Remember the end game,” Theo cautions us all. “Everyone, calm the fuck down.”
We make our way to the basement, opening the door and walking downstairs in single file. We’re halfway down the stairs, before the room has come into view, when a whooshing sound tickles my eardrums, quickly followed by pain-filled screams. Acid churns in my gut, and I slam into Saint’s back as he halts midstep. “Go back upstairs,” he commands in a low voice, his eyes pleading with me to do what he says for once in my life.
He really should know better.
“He wanted us to see this; otherwise, he wouldn’t have summoned all of us. Keep going.” I push at his shoulders, ignoring the dread building inside me.
“Lo.” Galen places his hand on my shoulder from behind.
“I know,” I choke out as another anguished scream tears from Mom’s mouth. “Go!” I shove at Saint. “We need to help her.”
My legs almost go out from under me when we hit the basement floor and the disgusting scene is revealed. Panic races up my throat as I stare in horror at Mom.
Our couches have been pushed to the wall to make way for a new four-poster bed. But it’s not an ordinary bed. Chains hang from the corners of the bed, holding up some kind of sex sling Mom is currently strapped to. It’s made of sturdy black leather with stirrups and cut-out sections for easy access. She’s completely naked, and Sinner fucks her pussy as she’s suspended while his creepy buddy with the bald head and face ink pounds into her ass. Every time I’ve met that pervert, I feel sick to the pit of my stomach, so this has me enraged. Yanking Mom’s head back, he grins at me, licking his lips as his gaze roams my body.
Another two guys kneel on the bed, one on each side, stroking their hard-ons as they grab at Mom, fondling her body and tugging at her tits. Pain punches me in the gut, and I grab the back of Saint’s shirt to steady myself.
These images are enough to give me nightmares for years, but it’s the angry, oozing lash marks across her chest, stomach, and legs that will ensure I never forget this sight.
Sinner glances over his shoulder, grinning like the sick lunatic he is, pumping his hips and thrusting into my mother as he raises the whip, bringing it down over her bleeding torso.
