Page 27 of Shattered Souls

“There were signs, of course,” She shifts, tucking her restrained hands under her chin. “The most obvious one being you towering over me with a harsh tone, only to return later with offerings and a pained expression. So, which one are you? Harsh tones or peace offerings?”

I don’t answer her still, letting her figure this one out on her own.

She cranes her neck and looks over at me. “I’d like to know if you’re the brother I despise—or the one that just had his fingers inside me.”

My tongue darts out and wets my bottom lip at the way she says the second half of that sentence—like she enjoys the idea of our fingers inside of her. Almost immediately, a wave of guilt washes over my skin at the reminder that it was Hyde that did that, not me. That she seems to already have a softer spot for him than me.

“Despise me all you want, little scarecrow,” I smile at her and lean my head back on the couch, closing my eyes. “But at the end of the day, it’s I who has you captive. It’s me that you’ll be crawling to when you need someone to stick up for your ass here.”

“Yeah, right,” She slowly sits up and pivots her body so she faces me. “Like I’d ever crawl to you. I can stand up for myself. Plus, you won’t be sticking up for me since I won’t ever see anyone again outside of this concrete prison.” She lifts her hands as one and motions around the room.

“Let’s not forget, sweetheart, that you’ve crawled to me once before. It’ll happen again.” She bares her teeth at me and my cock stiffens in my pants at the sight.

In the few short minutes she’s been out of that room the fight in those green eyes is already rekindling—readying her for a battle. She glares at me like it might hurt my fragile feelings to be looked at like I’m some sort of asshole.

News flash, princess—I am an asshole.

I enjoy watching people come apart at the doing of my own two hands. I enjoy watching their life pool beneath their bodies as they stare at me with pure fear shimmering in their eyes. Or the way they gasp a gurgled breath before finally expiring.

The only downside of that hobby—clean up.

Which is where Hyde comes in handy.

“You’ll be seeing far more of Shattered Souls.” I state.

“What?” Her body can’t decide between tensing or relaxing at my admission.

“Shattered Souls closes for the season on Halloween night.” I pull up my phone and double check the date. “Which means you have eight weeks before your final chance to get free of us ends.”

“I’m not following.”

“The park is open Friday through Sunday. You’ll be set out in the park each weekend and given until the end of the night to escape—just as you did last night.” Her brows scrunch together.

“That doesn’t seem too hard. Eight weeks gives me plenty of time to learn the park and find the best hiding spots.” She pauses and shifts her wrists under the cuffs. “Especially while you two are putting on that fancy show that you did. You know, the bike thing. I could just sneak out then.”

“Smart scarecrow.” I lean forward and flick the tip of her nose. She pulls back from my hand and glowers at me again. “That is exactly why you’re going to be our little pet anytime we’re called on stage. You’re going to be a spectacle out there. Men and women will wish they were you.”

“What? A prisoner?” She chuffs.

“Eight weeks, twenty-four days.”

“And if I don’t make it out by then?” She swallows thickly but never lets her face falter.

“Then you don’t get to leave. You’ll be stuck here forever—willingly, or not.”

“And what about the rest of the week?” Her eyes widen. “You can’t keep me locked in that room all week!” I can practically smell the fear leaking off of her at the thought of being in there for days on end.

“You have to earn that.” I shrug. “You’re not exactly on good footing. You’ve stabbed one of us and then bit the other.”

“No fair,” She sinks back until her back presses against the arm rest. “I was perfectly fine in the shower.” Her eyes flicker with amusement. “Just ask Hyde, he seemed to think I behaved so well that I deserved to be rewarded. Even made a mess of his pants.”

Fuck.

My body should not be reacting like this after hearing how she affected my brother, but I can’t help it. Thinking of her completely bare and dripping before me—shit. Her eyes catch the effect of her words, making my already stiff cock jump.

“Oh no,” She sits up once more and leans forward. “Are you jealous it wasn’t your hands between my thighs?” She scoots her ass down and slowly lets her legs fall open. “Seek wants to touch his little scarecrow? He wants to feel how sick and twisted she is? How much this turns her neglected body on like a switch?”

Gone is my tough guy act. Gone is any form of coherent thought. Instead my eyes are glued to the damp patch at her center. The things I’d do to her if only she could be trusted more.