Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 79991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“Me?” She blurts out a laugh. “If you want that, why have you treated me the way you have?”
“That can all be in the past,” I offer. “We can start over with a clean slate. But that’s up to you, too. I need you to behave yourself, and I need insight into how I can best manage your father.”
“I know a surefire way to do it.” She turns her full attention to me, leveling an even gaze my way. “Let me go home. I can’t think of a better way to stir up goodwill.”
She makes it sound so easy. I suppose I’d be able to do the same if I were in her shoes but I’m not, and therefore I have to do what must be done to protect myself and family.
9
ALICIA
Everything was going fine until he showed up with dinner last night. I was starting to believe he was softening on me. But no, as soon as he showed up, back was the rough and menacing kidnapper. He even tied me up, saying I couldn’t be trusted.
There I was, thinking I was going to get away. All I managed to do was make things worse. So much worse.
My hands are numb from my wrists being tied so tight. He wasn’t gentle about it, but I wouldn’t expect him to be as pissed as he was. I thought he was going to do worse than that.
It isn’t worth thinking about what I thought. It only makes my heart pump faster as my stress reaction kicks in. I can’t live in a perpetual state of fight-or-flight.
A few deep breaths help calm me down a little. It could be worse, right? At least I’m in a bed. At least this isn’t some shithole.
And at least I know he won’t let Prince touch me like he tried yesterday. Of all things, that memory gives me the most comfort. Enzo was a complete madman when he burst in here and yanked his friend off me. If it wasn’t for that, I’d be even more nervous at having my hands tied up, unable to defend myself.
While that memory eases some of my fear, it doesn’t do much for my physical misery. Every muscle aches, and every joint is stiff and sore from having to lie here at all kinds of awkward angles. I never knew until now how much I need the use of my arms, even when I’m doing something as routine as sleeping. I couldn’t roll over or adjust the blankets. I can’t even brush the hair away from my face right now, no matter how hard I try to blow the few strands out of my eyes, and it’s driving me crazy.
He can’t leave me like this all day. Can he? The sun’s been up for ages, a bright rectangle slowly inches its way from the floor to the wall opposite the window. I’ve heard movement elsewhere in the house. He has to know I’m going to need to pee, right? It’s starting to go from a mild pressure to something a lot more demanding.
I’m sure he’s trying to punish me a little more, the sick fuck. Making sure I’m good and sorry by the time he comes back to untie me. What did I do in a past life that led me to this? Because my karma must be seriously fucked.
“Untie me, please,” I yell at the top of my lungs for Enzo, or anyone really. “I need to use the bathroom.”
The door opens, and Enzo strolls in, looking me over before offering a wry little smirk. “You look good like this. Has anyone ever told you that?” he asks without acknowledging my request.
I don’t want to answer, but I don’t want to give him any more reasons to be mad at me. “This is the first time I’ve ever been tied up like this.”
I wish my heart wouldn’t seize up like it does whenever I see him. It’s too close to the way I used to feel when I was in middle school, and the boy I had a crush on would walk into homeroom on a Monday morning. Seeing him for the first time after the weekend always gave me that funny feeling in my chest. Is having a crush that close to the sensation of looking at the man who could blow your brains out at the drop of a hat?
His smile widens as he approaches the bed. “You mean I popped your cherry? Wow, this is a special honor.”
“Please,” I whisper when he doesn’t make a move toward the ropes. “I really have to use the bathroom. Can you untie me?”
“Oh, so you think you’re too good to lie in your piss?” He stands over me, scowling.
I realize he’s serious. This isn’t a joke to him, or maybe it is. Maybe he sees me as nothing more than a game to fiddle with.