Page 167 of Corrupt Me

You messed with the wrong man’s woman.

I try to peel my eyes open, but my lids are heavy, and I need a few attempts. A groan escapes my lips. My mouth feels so dry that I could drink gallons of water in one go.

Slowly, my mind wakes up, and I remember what happened. I shoot upright, looking frantically around. I am in a small bed in a tiny, musty-smelling room. There’s a window on my right, but it’s too small for me to climb through. I must be in a basement because I need to look up to see the forest surrounding this place.

Felix got me.My friends.Patting my ear, I discover the comm is gone. I need to get out of here and help them. Panic seizes my lungs, and in my haste to get to the door, my feet catch on the fabric of the dress. I stumble, crashing to my knees just as the door swings open, revealing Felix—with Eric standing behind him.

“Hello, daughter.” Hearing his satisfied tone has me fisting my hands on the floor.

It takes everything in me not to tell him the truth.

Play this right. This is not the right moment to uncork my emotions.

Don’t antagonize him.

“I have waited for so long to have you with me.”

For a second, his words made it sound like he always wanted me with him and even cared about me. But Felix is incapable of loving anyone else but himself. Even if he believes I am his daughter, he has never been present in my life. He treated me like he treated all of us—like we were beneath him.

“Are my friends here too?” My tone sounds steady and controlled even though worry and hope battle for a prime spot inside me.

He huffs, his features tightening into a deadly expression. “Those traitors got away, but not for long. Once I get my hands on the Family’s money, they won’t be able to escape me again.”

“If you think I will help you, you’re mistaken,” I snarl.

“Don’t make me force you, Bailey. I can be the father you never had.”

I wished with all of me for my parents’ love, but Felix thinking he could manipulate me like that adds insult to injury. I need an escape plan or to get my hands on some kind of device and send my friends my location.

Felix takes another glance at me, his blue eyes—so similar to Kaden’s when they couldn’t be more different—gleaming. “I’ll let you acclimate for a bit.”

Once Felix leaves, Eric moves further into the room. “Now we can finally be together.”

“Stop being delusional,” I shout.

When he reaches me, I swing my arm back and propel my fist forward, punching him in his throat. “Always go for the eyes or neck.” Hunter drilled that in my head—it’s one thing I’ll never forget.

I stab a finger at him, my body trembling with fury. “Stay away from me.”

Eric stumbles back, coughing and clutching his neck. “You can’t keep me out forever. Once Felix gets what he wants, I will get what I want,” he croaks through a coughing spurt.

“What exactly is it that you want?” I ask, losing any semblance of calm.

“The world.”

I scoff. He’s the living embodiment of a cliché—a spoiled rich boy who did nothing to make it on his own.

“With you at my side, I’ll be unstoppable,” he adds, tone dripping with arrogance.

“Did you drug me?”

He smirks. “How else would I have gotten you here with your friends so close?”

“You knew,” I whisper, more to myself than him.

Love makes you reckless. I still wouldn’t change a thing. Whether I live or die, at least I got to experience that soul-deep, once-in-a-lifetime kind of love.

“He had the audacity to sneak into your room with me under the same roof. I’m going to enjoy killing him for touching what’s mine.”

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