The lights come on, shockingly bright after the deep, pure darkness.
Ric stands in the tunnel, staring at me. His red-haired date leans on the wall. No, she’s held there by him, a black band wrapped around her throat.
I can’t make sense of what I’m seeing until she pulls at his arm. “More,” she whines. “Squeeze harder.”
But Ric ignores her, his unfeeling eyes focused on me. A predator spotting its prey.
“Was that you crying in the dark, Brooke?” He moves away from the woman and steps toward me. “Did you get lost, little lamb?”
I blink as my eyes adjust, taking in the space behind him. I know that wall, the depression in the stone. The elevator is right behind him.
“Yes,” I say, working up a watery smile. I can be sweet to Ric if it will get me out of this dank, dark hell.
“Don’t be scared,” he says, taking another step in my direction. “We were just getting started.”
“I’m on my way up,” I say with a light laugh. “I’ll just go and give you some privacy.”
Ric is close enough now that I have to step around him. But when I try, he blocks my way. “Three is always more fun,” he says, sliding his hand beneath my jaw and into the hollow of my collarbone.
My skin crawls beneath his touch, and I lean away.
“Come on, now.” He skims his eyes down my body then back to my face. “I know you didn’t wear this dress for Noah.”
Before I can speak, he snakes an arm around my waist, jerking me hard against his chest.
“No.” I slam my palms against his shoulder and push back. “Don’t touch me. I want to leave.”
His upper lip curls but he doesn’t release me. “Don’t. Stop. Wait.” His fingers dig into my hip. Forceful. Painful. “Women like you know exactly what you’re doing. What you’re asking for.”
He presses close, his warm breath on my face when he speaks. “Then, when they get it, they bitch and moan and lie about what happened.”
Still holding me, he slides a hand down my side, then rubs a circle on my stomach, on the red hourglass. “This costume is perfect for a woman like you. Luring men in, only to strike after you get what you want.”
He leans in and licks my cheek, his hoarse whisper in my ear. “Like your friend in Hollywood.”
Shock travels through my body, a surge of disgust. He knows who I am. He’s heard the story. And he’s using my trauma like a knife.
Worse. He’s using Mackenzie.
“Let me go,” I say, but my voice is timid.
“I bet she fucked that man.” Ric reaches around, his hands fumbling at my lower back, searching for the zipper. “I bet you fucked him, too.”
I close my eyes, traveling back in time. To another party, another dark space.
And another man who thought he could take whatever he wanted.
The flashback stabs my brain, slicing through the freeze and signaling the fight. “Stop.” A rush of adrenaline gives me strength.
“Stop!” Rearing back my arm, I drive a fist into his throat. He stumbles back, coughing and cursing.
Seizing my chance, I rush past him, lunging for the elevator where I hit the call button again and again.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Ric. He stands straight, rubbing his throat. “Bitch,” he rasps, striding towards me.
He’s a few short steps away when the door opens, and I fall inside. Crushing into the corner, I punch the top button and face the door, waiting for Ric to appear, to reach in and grab me again.
But seconds pass and he never does.
