“Thanks, but no thanks,” I say firmly. She pouts. The other is rubbing up against Raoul like a cat in heat.
“Tempting, but not tonight, beautiful. Perhaps another time?” His rejection is a lot more suave than my own. Maybe I should have tried harder. Or maybe not. Who gives a shit?
I’m here to save my woman.
Chapter 17
Andy Carter
Iswallow hard, trying not to let him see me shudder in revulsion. He can’t be serious! He thinks I’m going to go up there in front of everyone and let him have me? It’s going to be hard enough to do it in private. I’m still wondering how I’ll be able to do even that much.
“Uh…I’m intrigued, but I don’t think that’s quite my thing, Mark.” My voice is husky. It’s horror that does it, but I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m turned on because he’s rubbing circles on my thigh.
“You sure about that, babe?”
He’s got his hand in his pants now. God, what a pig! Maybe poison isn’t the best option. Maybe cutting his throat would be better after all. I could smash one of these glasses, slash his throat and make a mad run for it.
“Yeah, I’m really sure,” I say firmly. Below us, the guy in the bull mask is making crazed mooing sounds. The girl is screaming. It’s a ridiculous display.
“You don’t want me to ream you with my bull cock?” He starts to laugh. There’s an edge of madness to it. I’m sure the drugs are mainly to blame but make no mistake, Mark Whitlock isn’t sane. I can almost smell the psychosis on him. He’d kill me just as quickly as he’d fuck me. I have to play this carefully.
“Um…not in front of everyone.” I give a little laugh. I wish it didn’t sound so hysterical. “But…you know…maybe in private?” Maybe him killing me wouldn’t be such a bad option, actually. I laugh again as I pry his fingers from my thigh. They’re sliding dangerously close to my crotch once more. I can’t face it. Not another time.
“Why not? Don’t you want people to know that you’re mine now?” His jaw goes tense. “Youaremine now, aren’t you, Andrea? That’s what this is all about, isn’t it?”
I nod slightly, choosing my words carefully.
“Of course, Mark. Why else do you think I came back? I made a mistake. I want to make it up to you.”
“Good. Then you’ll do as I say.” He’s on his feet, pulling me up with him.
“No! I_!”
“You what, Andrea? Are you defying me?” The silkiness of his voice doesn’t disguise the threat beneath it.
“Well… It’s just that…um… What kind of man brings his future wife to a place like this? And expects her to…do that?”
“The kind who gets what he wants.” He slides an arm around my waist and jerks me against him. My palms flatten on his chest as I tip my head up to stare at him.
Oh, my God, he’s serious about this. And he’s not going to give up. I glue a smile to my lips as he looms over me.
“Surely you can’t be serious, um…darling?” I keep my voice light. Fuck. I’m freaking out.
“Deadlyserious, Andrea.” There’s that threat again. He’ll hurt me if I don’t do as he says. And to think that this is the man my father was happy to hand me over to. What kind of fucked up shit is that?
I feel like a deer in the headlights as his face descends towards mine. I can smell stale cigarettes and booze on his breath. His wet lips are parting with an intent that’s unmistakable. As much as I’ve hated his hands on me, the intimacy of a kiss is more than I can bear.
I think I’m going to be sick.
Chapter 18
Mateo Ricci
She’s here, goddamn it. So close I can practically smell her. I pull free of the clinging woman and barge through the crowd, not caring that she staggers back and falls on her ass. I’m not bothering to be subtle now; when people get in my way, I shove them aside.
And then, I see it. A staircase leading up to a raised level that provides a clear view across the room. It’s exactly the sort of place Whitlock would pick out for himself. Like a fucking voyeur; a self-proclaimed king watching everything unfolding in the realm before him.
Despite barreling through the mass of people, I don’t draw as much attention as I’d have imagined. Everyone’s too focused on all the freakish sex acts in play to bother about some guy pushing past them.
