Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 148238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 741(@200wpm)___ 593(@250wpm)___ 494(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 741(@200wpm)___ 593(@250wpm)___ 494(@300wpm)
“Lovely, don’t be late today. You know your father is putting together a surprise party. You can’t miss it. It’ll break his heart.”
I bounced on the spot, full of life, full of hope. I was seeing him. I was celebrating my teenage beginning. My heart grew full to bursting at the thought of spending an uninterrupted hour beside him.
I was in love.
“I won’t, Mom. Art won’t let me be late.”
The memory snapped its Pandora’s lid closed, leaving me bereft. My heart filled with lead.
Truth.
I’d finally been shown the name of the green-eyed boy I loved.
Art.
Short for Arthur.
It was real—not in my head. I knew!
I launched myself away. Mr. Steel cried out in surprise as I stumbled backward and tripped over my own feet. Locking eyes with Kill, I shouted, “Art. I used to call you Art. You never let your mother cut your hair beyond your collar. You got your first motorbike when you were twelve. Art—you have to believe me.”
Kill’s face crumbled, water swam in his eyes, but still he didn’t believe. Still he preferred grief to hope.
I screamed as Mr. Steel snatched me, spun me in his arms, and slapped me.
My head snapped sideways as stars burst behind my eyelids. I moaned in protest as his hand captured my breast, pushing aside my bikini top to reveal my tattooed nipple.
“Fuck me.” He sucked in a breath. “You tattooed your nipple, too. You must have a high pain tolerance.” His eyes glinted as a Cheshire grin spread his lips.
My jaw locked as repulsion shuddered through me. I knocked his hand away. My stomach rolled. “I think the fire would’ve hurt more than anything a man with a needle could ever do. I’m immune to pain. And now thanks to the bastard behind me, I’m immune to emotional pain, too.”
Gathering spit in my mouth, I spat it right onto Mr. Steel’s chin.
Everyone froze.
Kill growled, “Fuck!”
Mr. Steel hadn’t moved and I shoved him. I didn’t know if it was shock or sheer disbelief that a slave girl had spat and cursed him but he didn’t move.
I rounded on Kill.
He backed up, eyes wide. “Stop it. Just fucking stop it!”
“Stop it? You stop it!” I shoved him just like I had Mr. Steel. My fingers sparked from touching his chest, but I welcomed the fire, nursing it deep in my heart. “Stop being so fucking weak, Art!”
Then I was falling, spread on the plush carpet with a man above. The steward flew from nowhere, wrenching my arms behind my back, binding them with twine. A harrowing flashback of being bound at the very beginning of this mess made me snap.
“Don’t touch me!” I bucked and squirmed, gaining carpet burn for my efforts.
But it was no use.
“Get off her!” Kill shouted. The weight of the steward disappeared and Killian hauled me to my feet. He breathed harder than I did, his face white and tight. Glaring at Mr. Steel, who’d climbed to his feet and now stood livid with anger, he hissed, “Do we have a fucking deal or not?”
“What?” I yelled. Then… I laughed. It was the only output I had left. Sheer mania. “You’re insane.” I laughed harder. “You’re certifiably nuts. God, what the hell was I doing thinking I could convince you.”
Kill didn’t say anything; he just stood and watched me unravel with that bone-breaking despair in his eyes. I hated that despair. I hated that even now I wanted to fix him, save him. Even after everything he’d done and let happen.
Mr. Steel’s voice cut through my crazed giggles. “You’re lucky I like strong women, otherwise you’d have a bullet in your fucking brain and this meeting would be over.”
I couldn’t stop the silent humor still shaking my frame. I didn’t know why I couldn’t stop. Panic? Terror? It didn’t matter because it made me feel powerful and unpredictable and above these men who drove me mad.
The twine around my wrists wasn’t tied properly and I shrugged out of it, throwing the binds at Mr. Steel. “Here’s what I think of you and your boat. It’s not strong enough to hold me.” I giggled again, tears forming in my eyes.
Don’t fall. Please don’t fall.
Even if it was from mirth, I didn’t want tears. If they trickled down my cheeks that would be it for me. They would propel me into the deepest sadness I’d ever known.
I was so close to snapping completely. One brittle splinter from losing my mind forever.
Mr. Steel smiled. “You’re different, I’ll give you that.” Inching forward, he whispered, “In fact, you have me so intrigued I’m willing to make you a deal. Obey my next request and I’ll treat you like a queen rather than a whore. Whatever I take from you, I’ll give back tenfold.” His fingers kissed my cheek sending icicles to my heart. “I’ll worship you all while I destroy you.”