Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Not just for punishment. Not just to make her confess.
I want to do it because I can.
Because I want to take her, use her, fuck her, own her.
I want it all, and I could take it all as it’s within a fingertip’s reach.
But … that’s not why I brought her here. It’s not right. Men like us aren’t supposed to crave or enjoy the lust of life. Men like us aren’t supposed to live.
We were made to punish the weak and make them confess. To fight for justice as we were taught.
But the more time I spend with her, the more I’m beginning to realize that’s just not enough for me.
I lean my head against the wall and close my eyes for a second, trying to center myself.
Clearly, harshly fucking her didn’t work. It didn’t bring out any of her pain, didn’t make her remember, which means only one option is left.
Going deeper … and darker … until there is no way back.
Because she must face her demons, and I must face mine.
After taking a few more breaths, I march right into the recovery room downstairs. Only two beds are taken this time, one by the guard Amelia injured and the other by Anna.
And next to her bed is Tobias, sitting in a chair while he holds her hand.
When he looks up at me, the unbridled anger I see in his eyes would ward off any man. Except me, of course. I know better than to fear a fellow brother in this House.
“How is she?” I ask, closing the door behind me.
“The same,” he replies, his grip on her hand tightening as he focuses on her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
I sigh. “Looks to me like I’m not the only one who has stepped over the rules.”
He throws me another enraged look. “I don’t need you to check up on me.”
“I’m not,” I say, holding up my hands. “I’m just saying …”
“Keep your comments to yourself,” Tobias replies, focusing on Anna again. “You’re the reason this even happened in the first place.”
I grab a chair and sit down opposite of him, watching as he caresses her cheeks.
“She didn’t deserve that pain,” he says.
“She took her punishment into her own hands,” I say.
“Your girl did,” he barks back. “It’s her fault Anna is in this shape.”
“She escaped,” I reply. “I took every precaution.”
“It was not enough!” he spits, his hands shaking as the tip of his finger touches her lip. “You should’ve never brought her here.”
My nostrils flare as I try to stay calm. “I already told you why I did it. But I think you understand now.” I look at Anna and how she’s lying there so at peace even though her mind must be in turmoil right now. She looks like an angel washed up ashore, desperate to cleanse herself of her sins. I can see why he fell for her.
“Don’t,” Tobias growls. “We’re both in the wrong here.”
“And neither of us intends to stop,” I reply.
He’s quiet for a second while gazing woefully at Anna.
The beeping of the machines goes on and on, silencing the storm raging in my heart.
Could I have done something to stop Amelia from escaping and taking Anna with her? If I had told her what Anna had done, how she was feeling about her own sins, would it have made a difference?
None of it matters. Nothing can change the past. What’s done is done. Anna is here now, and all we can do is wait until she gets better.
“Tell me why you’re here,” Tobias asks. “And don’t give me lies.”
I laugh a little. “I wouldn’t dare.” I lick my lips. “In fact, I indulged myself in one too many.”
“Oh, yeah?” He raises a brow. “You? Lying to yourself?”
I shrug and look away. It takes me a while to speak. “I … kissed her again.”
When I finally gather the courage to look at him, he’s staring right back at me for God only knows how long. “It’s only going to get worse, isn’t it?”
I roll my eyes and snort. “It’s the only way to get through to her.”
“You tell yourself that,” he says.
“And you keep telling yourself that you don’t do the same thing,” I spit back. I clear my throat to ease the tension in the room. “She’s close. I can feel it. I just need to push her a little further.”
“And?” He raises a brow. “You wanna ask me something?”
“She wants to see Anna.”
He scoots his chair back and immediately gets up to point at me. “No. No way am I allowing that girl close. It’s because of her Anna almost died!”
“Anna almost killed herself,” I say. “Amelia didn’t know she was going to do that. Even though they have been talking.”
He makes a face. “How?”
“Through a vent in the room.” I wave it off like it’s no big deal. “I’ll get it fixed.”