Page 14

“Out,” I respond, my arms crossed. If I’m going to get through this, I need to stand my ground.

Rhenn steps closer. It forces me to look up at him. The man towers over me, and I’m certain he’s using that to his advantage, trying to intimidate me. “In the house, Vixen. Clean yourself, then I want you out of my sight until tomorrow.” He follows me as I step inside, ignoring his bossy tone, because all I want to do right now is clean up. “And try not to annoy Ashen. He’s coming over soon.”

Rhenn’s shower is amazing. Its warm jets massage my back. I take my time, lathering the sudsy soap over my body. When I’m done, I dry with the towel he had given me, then smirk when my eyes catch his loofah. Snickering quietly to myself, I grab the little string handle, giving the sponge a few good dunks into the toilet before hanging it back on its hook. Take that, asshole.

Having nothing else to change into, I put on the same clothes I’ve been wearing, making a mental note to ask him if I can use his washer when he’s not here.

Does he even have a washer? Is it a stretch to assume he does, being as he didn’t know what an oven was?

I hear two sets of voices when I open the door and remember Rhenn had mentioned someone was coming over. The sounds come from farther down the hall. I head in the other direction, pouring myself a glass of water in the kitchen—since the plumbing is apparently off in the guest house—only turning around when I hear Rhenn and his friend approaching me from behind.

It’s like night and day looking at the two men before me. Rhenn is all dark clothes, dark hair, and zero emotion on his face. The other guy, who I assume is Ashen, has bright umber eyes, ashy blond hair, and lips raised at the corners. Clearly, one is grouchier than the other.

“What do we have here?” Ashen asks with a grin. “This beauty can’t possibly belong to you, since I know for a fact Siena is on her way over… Wait!” He turns to look at Rhenn, laughing. “Bro, you actually got me an escort? I thought you were joking.”

The fuck? My eyes shoot to Rhenn. “You told him I was an escort? Like a prostitute?” I bring my attention back to the overly excited man standing between us. “You’re not touching me.”

He’s beside me in a matter of two large steps. “Fine by me, sweetheart. I’ll let you do all the touching.”

If it wasn’t for the ignorance of what he just said, I’d almost find that smile of his charming.

I lean into him, bringing my mouth near his ear. “You don’t look worth my time.”

My intention is to leave, go back to the guest house where I can be alone. Ashen grabs my arm, tugging me back. He brings my wrist to his nose, breathing me in the same way Rhenn did when I first met him in the forest. “Holy fuck, sweetheart. You smell good enough to eat.”

Great, there’s two of them. “Not a chance.” I rip my arm away, trying to ignore the scratching at my skin where his hand made contact. I hate feeling another person’s hands on me.

“Isn’t it past time for you to go?” Rhenn deadpans from behind Ashen. I’d normally have to roll my eyes at the pure irritation in his voice, but it’s the first good idea I’ve heard him say. Besides, I want to leave.

“Yep.” I give the two of them my best screw-off smile and skirt my way toward the backdoor.

When I’m locked away and in the solitude of my new temporary home, I slide down the wall, forcing myself not to cry. I have to be strong. I can’t let this get to me.

I will make it out of here.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMNER

The pillow smells like mildew. It’s wet. Saliva mixed with the endless stream of tears falling down my face. I bite into it. Breathing it in. Wanting the rot to fill my brain until there’s nothing else.

The pressure’s too much. It’s breaking me apart. Tearing me up from the inside.

Snot slides over my lips. Everything burns.

I hear him crying from behind the door—Luca. My person. My only friend. His sobs are almost as loud as mine. Is it because he knows how bad I’m shaking? Can he sense the red mess sticking between my legs?

There’s no more air left in the room. It’s all breathed up. Sucked deep into the lungs of the bad man’s large body as he hurts me again and again. He’s taking it all.

I don’t even want it anymore.

Invisible flames inside my throat make me cough and spit.

Maybe if I stop crying. Maybe if I behaved better…

The continuous rocking is making me sick. My tummy churns again and again. I don’t like it. It hurts. Please stop hurting me!

Games are supposed to be fun. I never want to play a game ever again.