At her disobedience, Finneas’s hands crash together so loudly that Delilah nearly jumps free of her skin. “Youwillaccept this correction. Look at him and do as he tells you.” His gaze shifts, eyes boring into Cross. “If she won’t do it on her own, it’s up to you to make her comply.”
“Understood.” Cross tilts his head to the side, an ugly smirk working its way to his lips. “May I have a moment with you, sir?”
Caught off guard, Finneas’s gaze narrows, but he nods.
Cross eyes our twenty-third woman with a cursory shrug before tucking his dick back inside his pants and venturing over to Finneas. They speak in hushed tones. My eyes ping around the room, taking in the aggrievedrumble from the Collective as well as the surprise practically jumping from Hayze and Arrow.What is he fucking doing?
At our leader’s swift nod, Cross aims a devilish look directly at Delilah. “It’s what this treacherous, manipulative cunt deserves. We shouldn’t allow her the privilege of having my cock in her mouth.”
NINE
DELILAH
Knowingfull-well that I should wipe every trace of disgust from my face, I simplycan’t.I force a hard swallow down, watching as Cross returns to stand before me. Shooting him the harshest of glares only results in a wicked laugh. The way he’s looking at me has a creeping, prickling sensation rolling down my spine.What did he say to Finneas? What is he going to do to me? And why did he stop mid-correction?
This isn’t the Cross I thought I knew. Granted, I haven’t had much of an opportunity to figure him out. But this seems like an entirely different person than the one who helped me through the panic attack I’d had after the appearance of the snake in their bedroom. He wasn’t cold like this last night, either. This is not the same guy who checked me over after Dragan had his hands on me, not the one who’d shown concern when I’d all but collapsed on the way back to the compound. He’s different. And this version of him reminds meway too much of the Collective and nothing of the person I thought I was coming to know. A cold sweat breaks out over my skin and my hands go clammy. Maybe I’m stupid. Maybe he’s been putting on an act this entire time.
From the corner of my eye, I follow his movements as he joins the remaining firstborn sons behind me. My brows crash together, but all I can decipher are a few grunts of acknowledgment. I swallow hard, nervousness coursing through my veins that sends a wash of goose bumps over my flesh.
My eyes flick over to the Collective where they sit like they’re lords overseeing some fucking tournament or game. Nolan’s eyes train on me before moving to his son. “Cross. Show us what you’re capable of. Help this cunt understand fighting us in the middle of the Hunting absolutely won’t be accepted.”
I suck in a breath. Nolan isn’t even referring to the blow I’d landed on that asshole Finneas’s temple days ago when raping a stranger was his goal. Based on the lack of mention of that incident, I don’t think any of them but the rapist himself are aware I’m the reason for his delayed return. My stomach roils as the fragmented scene out in the woods hits me. I squeeze my eyes shut against it, refusing to relive it all over again.
I let out a shuddering sigh, my fists clenching. The second he showed up this morning, I knew my time had run out. There’d be no escaping him this time. And there hadn’t been. In an effort to distract myself from it, I bite down on my lip so hard I tastemetal.
I don’t want to think about the way his hot, heavy breaths had coasted across my face as he’d rutted into me. My chest jerks, racked with a silent sob for everything I’ve already endured.
When Cross finally returns, he squats down in front of me and comes in close. Nose to nose, those hazel eyes lick over my skin, and he tilts his head to the side like he’s sickly fascinated, like I’m some plaything he’s been given to toy with. My breath catches in my throat. Uncertainty is a cruel, ruthless bitch. I’m terrified for every second of whatever is about to happen, and he’s not giving me any indication of why he’s changed gears. He’s altered the plan for my correction that Finneas has already laid out.Why?
To my surprise, he braces a hand on the hardwood, and leaning forward, brushes the shell of my ear with his lips. His warm breath coasts over my cheek as he edges back to look at me. A devious chuckle rumbles up from his throat before he softly murmurs, “I think it’s time to remove your gown.”
A shudder moves along my limbs, and I meet his taunting gaze at close range with a shake of my head. “N-no,” I stutter, confusion slicing through me at what’s about to happen.
When I don’t move, don’t comply, he flicks a glance toward Finneas, a grim scowl emerging as he redirects his attention to me. A harsh light glints in his eyes. I can’t help but look away, sinking my teeth into the tender skin of my lip. His brow arches, and his nostrils flare as he grunts, “Take it the fuckoff.”
His demand ricochets inside my chest, and I jolt in place, but hesitate only long enough to blink. Hands trembling, I reach for the dirty hem of my gown and slowly peel it upward, baring my body. Too many pairs of eyes rove over every inch of my nakedness. At first embarrassment floods through me, but it’s followed immediately by a surge of stubbornness that there’s just no abating. Because why should I be embarrassed? This istheirdoing. Whattheywant. And I refuse to let them know that I’m inwardly freaking the fuck out.
A shuddering breath explodes from my lips and my heart races, all while I stare at his heaving chest, but I keep my chin up, letting defiant daggers shoot from my eyes. “Please don’t fucking do this.” As soon as I’ve uttered the words, it occurs to me that I don’t even know whatthisis. Mashing my lips together to keep myself from saying what’s in my head, I clench my hands into tight fists.
Cross’s jaw twitches as he glances at his father, then back at me. “You look like you want to say something else.”
“Son, make sure she understands that what she did was wrong.” The devilish doctor smirks at his progeny, egging him on.
I ignore both of them, choosing to focus on the tattoos emblazoned on Cross’s chest and down both arms. The fire behind him pops and crackles, but it doesn’t do nearly enough to chase the chill from the air. My nipples pebble, and I have no doubt that from the hushed whispers and lascivious stares that thesemen are enjoying the unobstructed view of my body. Yet, as I watch them from under my lashes, I get an odd feeling that something else is going on in this room.
I don’t have time to make sense of it as only a second later Cross demands my attention. With one inked hand, he grips my jaw before muttering, “Go ahead, Twenty-Three. I’m giving you permission to speak. Is there something you want to say? Go ahead. Tell us.” There’s a truly savage quality to his tone, and it has my insides twisting up, almost as if my body recognizes his horrifying intentions.
“I have nothing to say to you.”
Cross shakes his head. “Your call. I thought you were going to apologize and ask to suck my dick anyway. But if not, we’ll just continue.” He glances over toward his father and the other men. “I think perhaps it’s my place to make you understand that things could always be… worse.” Unflinching, he nods toward the three men seated at my back.
From behind me there are shuffling noises as they stand, and all at once, I’m surrounded. They’ve created an unwavering wall of muscle and ill intentions. There’s no escape. Dread fills me as from all directions the metallic clanks of buckles being undone sound and zippers shriek as they’re lowered. I blink hard. This isn’t happening. But it is.
I swallow, allowing my vision to blur. All I can do is stare, unseeing, straight ahead at a fixed point and try not to think about the fact that these four men—at leastone or two of whom I thought I might be able to trust—have now whipped out their cocks in preparation for my correction. My stomach turns, anxiety rising as visions of what they intend to do race through my mind.
From the grunts and movement I’m sensing, I understand what’s happening. They’ve each begun jerking themselves to the sight of my naked body.Oh fuck.A silent sob works its way up my throat, making my lungs clench and shoulders shake.
There’s a faint snicker from the Collective, who are now seated together, observing their sons. The deviant nature of these men is unmatched. “Paint her in your seed. All of you.”
