“Tsk-tsk,” he warns, and I snap them open.
My pulse pounds in my ears, a frantic drumbeat. Adrenaline surges through me, making every nerve in my body spark. I break out into goosebumps, fear fueling my body in fight or flight. “Master at what?”
“I don’t appreciate you trying to fuck with the hierarchy, Princess. There are rules, but you refuse to listen. Here’s a new lesson for you.” He shoves Derek forward away from him, but keeps his hand on the scruff of his neck.
My breath comes in ragged gasps as I pant and shake my head. I need to find a place to hide, to get myself under control. I won’t survive this panic attack if it’s in front of them. WhenI struggle to free myself from Wesley, he holds me tighter. His arms wrapped around me feel like a boa constrictor. “P-please let him g-go. He didn’t do anything.” I look at Derek and tears streaming down my face. “Please,” I plead. The word meant for Julien, even though I can’t look away from Derek. “I’m so sorry Derek.” He smiles ruefully. I stare into Juliens darkened eyes. “Just let him go.” I pull against Wesley and he grabs my face, squeezing my cheeks with one hand, forcing me to look at the scene in front of me.
“Shhh. Just watch.”
Julien grabs one of Derek’s fingers and snaps it back so quickly, I hear the crunch as he howls in pain before it truly registers that Julien’s broken it. The blood drains from Derek’s face and he turns a sheet of green and hunches over, puking in front of him. Julien takes a step behind him to avoid the spray on his legs and shoes.
“NOO!” A strangled cry tears from my throat as tears flow freely down my cheeks. “S-Stop, Julien! Let him go. He-He’s innocent. This is on me,” I cry out. I clench my teeth hard enough they ache and pull all my strength into my struggle to break free of Wesley’s hold. I know it’s futile, but I have to try something. So it’s no surprise when he holds me tighter. Señor Psycho will kill him if I don’t find a way to stop this.
“His blood is on your hands, Princess.”
I shake my head quickly. The lump in my throat is so big it’s hard to breathe. Or it could also be because I’m hyperventilating.
“Shhh, Hellcat. Be a good girl for me now. It’s going to be okay,” Wesley coos in my ear, rubbing his fingers in circles where he can touch me. I don’t know why, but my panic attack begins to fade. Derek kicks and crawls to scramble away from Julien, but he kicks Derek hard in the stomach and climbs on top of him, straddling his chest. His fists connect with Derek’s jaw in a bone crunching way. He tries to curl into himself, but Julien’sweight stops him, so he covers his face and lets out a groan of pain with each hit.
A strangled cry forces its way out of me and I slump against Wesley as he supports my weight. I’ve never felt a desperation so deep before. Derek wasn’t supposed to get hurt. I only wanted Julien to have a taste of his own medicine.
“What do you want?” I scream, pulling his attention from Derek. He turns to give me his full attention, his bloody knuckles still suspended in midair. “I’ll do anything, Julien. Just let him go.” I don’t like this feeling of guilt that crawls through me like a bunch of spiders. It makes my skin crawl.
A sinister smile creeps over his face and my heart gallops at the sight. “Run, Princess. If I catch you, you’d better be prepared for the consequences.”
Wesley releases me, and I don’t hesitate before taking off into the woods. I run as fast as I can through the trees. I’ve made mental notes of the way we came, so I do my best to follow that trail. The dry leaves crunch under my steps and I duck under low-hanging branches. If I can make it back to campus, I can get help. Even as I think the words, I know they’re not true. No one is going to help me against Julien Azarian. Derek’s scream of pain in the distance slices through my thoughts and the heavily wooded area, but I don’t slow down. I can’t. I run as fast as my legs will carry me.
Further.
Faster.
My heart drums in my chest, and my lungs ache as I struggle to pull in enough air. I glance over my shoulder, looking for either of them, but no one is following me. My legs feel like jello as I slow my speed and finally stop, resting for a moment with my back pressed against a tree. I pant, but hold my breath, listening for any signs of movement. My heartbeat is deafeningand I swear it can be heard for miles. Leaves rustle to my left and I yelp, taking off to the right.
My legs feel like dead weight, and each step is harder to take than the last. Running has never been my forte. I prefer exercises like pilates and yoga. I can’t do this. My heart aches for Derek, and I stifle my cry, feeling awful for the trouble I caused him. I never meant for this to happen.Why is this happening?
I scream as I fall to the ground, a heavy weight presses on top of me. He pushes my cheek into the cool earth below, his hand heavy on my head. All I smell is the dirt, leaves, andhim.My erratic breathing makes it hard to move, hard to fight, but I twist under his weight. My adrenaline kicks up another notch, and I think I might pass out from the exertion.
“Caught ya, Princess.” I buck under him, aiming for a bit of space, but he won’t budge. Instead, he presses himself down more. “I bet your mouth is good for some other things besides back talk.” He flips me over and sits on my chest, pinning my arms above my head, holding tight to my wrists. I’m stretched out beneath him and he puts his face inches from mine. His breaths fan across my face, my body erupting in goosebumps.
“Where’s Derek?” I pant, working on catching my breath.
He scowls and narrows his eyes, disapproval written over his face.Is he mad I’m asking about Derek?He just beat the shit out of him. Why wouldn’t I ask? “With Wes. What happens to him all depends on what choices you make.”
“Blackmailing me isn’t how you get what you want.”
“Mmm,” He offers a noncommittal noise. “It is in our world.”
Now that, I believe. I’m not getting out of this unscathed.
He rocks back on his haunches before standing and I scramble to sit up. The thought of getting to my feet and running tugs at the corners of my mind, but I know he’ll catch me before I make it three feet. He’s got height and speed on me. Maybe it’s time to take up running.
Towering above me, he unbuckles his belt, letting the leather fall open, then he unbuttons and unzips his pants with a sinister grin, revealing the band of his black boxers. Shivers tingle down my spine as his hand dips down into them. The sleek stretch of his abs is interrupted only by a soft line of hair leading down, disappearing beneath his waistband like an invitation. I watch his movements, his hand jerks up and down, and my mouth salivates. “On your knees,” he demands. When I shake my head, defying his order, he reaches down and pulls me to my knees by my hair, then puts his hands on his hips. He looks like a god, towering above me, but I know the devil when I see him. I place my hands on my thighs and wait, staring up into the face of a monster. Tugging my bottom lip between my teeth, I bite down, focusing on the sting.
Ihatehim.
How can he be so calm? And turned on? Is it the violence that excites him, or is it the position he has me in? I blink up at him and lick my dry lips. “Where’s Wesley?”
He raises his eyebrow then finally answers. “Around. He’ll break Derek’s fucking arm if you don’t do as you’re told. We always have a choice, Riley. This is yours. Pull me out and suck my cock, Princess, or be the reason he needs more medical attention.”
