Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 91064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
I half suspect he’s bullshitting me, because he knows this is about Scarlett. But before I say anything I might regret, I grab a bottle of Jameson from the bar and head towards the VIP lounge.
“I gave you the night off,” Crow calls after me again.
“Ye did,” I answer back. “And I’ve every intention of enjoying it.”
Twenty-Two
Scarlett
Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once- Shakespeare
My head throbs.
Broken brain cells flutter around like confetti as I shift from side to side. Something gurgles, and I think it might be me.
Memories are a funny thing. The way they play tricks on you.
I smell pine.
Logic tells me I’m indoors. Tied to a chair. The binds on my wrists and ankles are tangible, and yet my mind has transported me somewhere else.
Gravel digs into my back. Sticks and dirt and cold are upon me. Heavy.
I’m alone.
Until I’m not.
The acrid odor of metal invades my mouth.
And the memories shift.
The radiator, the butcher, the knife.
Blood. Blood is everywhere, even when I open my eyes.
But it is not the butcher in front of me today.
Or even the five faces from my nightmares.
It’s only one.
Alexander.
And a more recently familiar face.
That of Kylie’s friend Katie.
The one who told me about that crescent shaped scar on Alexander’s lip. The one who confided in me that he hurt Kylie and she feared he would hurt her too.
I told her that wouldn’t happen. I told her I would get to him first.
But her fears were right, and I am as wrong as I’ve ever been.
He’s hurting her now.
The violence and brutality of his depravity is on display, and it’s worse than any memory. He’s choking her with his cock. Squeezing her throat and dragging her around the floor.
Tears fall down her cheeks with streaks of black mascara, and hope has abandoned her.
I am powerless to do anything but watch the scene unfold before me. The way he spits at her and degrades her.
My binds are unbreakable. Unshakeable.
I can’t move.
But I can’t give up, either.
It isn’t often that I give my word and mean it. But I meant it with her. This girl is still so young. And she isn’t like me. There’s good left in her.
She told me about her dreams. How she wants to leave the street life behind and go to beauty school. I offered to help her, and I meant that too.
The offer still stands, and I refuse to believe that this is the end for her.
Alexander’s eyes find mine across the room, and he groans with pleasure when he realizes I’m awake.
“Look who finally decided to join us,” he murmurs.
He shoves Katie away and comes for me. And I’m okay with that. I will do whatever he asks now. I will be his puppet.
His fingers brush over my cheek with reverence as he kneels in front of me.
“I couldn’t wait,” he says. “Time is up, Scarlett.”
“Do whatever you want with me,” I tell him. “But let her go. She has nothing to do with this.”
“You know I can’t do that,” he says.
There is no remorse in his voice. There never has been, so I don’t know why I thought I could find it now. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Alexander, it’s that there are other ways to get to him.
“You are disgusting,” I snarl. “It’s no wonder you have to fuck girls this way. You and that insignificant appendage you call a dick. Is that what pisses you off, Alex? You have to compensate for your lack of…”
His hand cracks across my face, whipping my head to the side. Once. Twice. And then a third time for good measure. He seizes a fistful of my hair and yanks my head back, glaring into my face.
“Do you think I’m that stupid?” he asks. “Really, Tenly. Give me some credit. I’m a federal fucking agent, baby. You don’t get where I am being fooled by common street-whores like you.”
Katie sobs in the background and I need her to be quiet. I need Alexander to forget about her and focus on me.
“You can do whatever you want to me,” I tell him again. “I’m the one you want to punish. Admit it, Alex.”
His eyes flash and I think I’m getting somewhere, so I keep after it.
“Invite all the boys for a reunion,” I swallow. “It’ll be just like old times. That could be your way back in.”
He shoves my head back and rips into my tank top, exposing my breasts. My legs are already splayed across the chair, defenseless, when he pulls my pants down around my ankles.
I’m naked and exposed for him now. The urge to vomit is strong, but I force it down.
Katie is limp, sobbing, and I need her to fight.
I tell her to run while she has the chance.