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I think he does see the confident smile on me, because the faint outline of his face turns into a scowl. “Now, now. Behave yourself. If you make me angry, I can’t promise I won’t hurt you. I assured my buddies they’d get the first go on you when I finally got my hands on you. Get used to your new living arrangements, pet.”

“Fuck you,” I snarl, every muscle in my body quivering.

His finger traces up my leg, and I suppress a disgusted whimper. “You weren’t easy to track down, I’ll give you that.”

“Guess you’re not as good as you thought you were.”

His hand connects with my cheek, throwing my head to the side and causing a sting.

He laughs again. “It was worth teaming up with Jenny. She found you in no time.”

“Who is Jenny?”

“I turned up in her crack den one night, asking for help. She built herself a name around Chelsea. She knew you immediately. She’d already tracked down Xander by then and offered to help in exchange for distracting him. What more perfect way to do it than an ex who really wants the love of his life back?” I can hear the smile in his voice. “We just needed to buy ourselves time. Get Xander distracted, and let you bring your guard down. There was no other way to take him down. They’re too powerful.” He tuts as he runs his knuckles down the side of my face, where my skin is still burning with his slap.

That’s the one thing I wanted to avoid. Putting the ones I care about in danger.

But I fell in love.

And now I’m paying the price. My Xander is paying the price.

I just hope Jac is safe and that he can save Xander.

“You’re disgusting,” I grimace.

He grips my jaw roughly with his hands, bringing his face close to mine—as much as I try to jerk away, he’s too strong. “Watch your fucking mouth.”

I gather saliva in my mouth, spitting it at his face. He recoils, wiping it away and onto his jeans.

“Who is Jenny?” I repeat, slowly.

How does she know Xander, and what does she want with him?

“Xander’s bitch-ass mother,” he rumbles.

My face drops.

“Fate really did want you and Xander together. Not to be with each other, though. To bring you back to me.” He taps me on the nose with a rough finger, and I growl with a screech.

They have Xander too.

I hurl myself at his stomach, knocking him down from the surprise attack and straddling him. I claw at his face, my shrieks piercing through the container. He lets out a pained shout and throws me off him. I hit the side of the container. A bone cracks in my arm, and I yell out in pain, curling into myself.

“Fuck,” I whimper.

“Stupid bitch. I told you not to try me,” he snarls and forces my back down to the floor, pinning my hands over my head with one and fiddling with the belt of his jeans with the other. I howl in pain as he moves my arm.

“No,” I scream, kicking my legs, trying to throw him off me, heart thrashing against my chest, hair tangling over my face. “Get the fuck off me.”

Never again.

I will not let him do this to me again. Never submit again.

He whacks the side of my cheek, his grip on my hands loosening at the same time. I use this as an opportunity to reach over with my good arm and dig my nails into his exposed dick.

He lets out a harrowing scream as I feel skin breaking beneath my nails and blood dripping down my fingers. My arm is shrieking in pain, but I need to get out of here.

“Fuck you… Luke. You piece…of shit,” I wheeze.