Page 41 of Once A Villain

“Because, doll,” he says, stepping closer and running his thumb along my lips, “We’re Hawthornes. It’s in our blood.”

I push his hand away and continue glaring.

“You’re so damn cute when you’re angry,” he laughs, taking another sip of his beer. “Go deal with your husband.”

I flip him off, and he chuckles, walking out of the room.

“He’s not my husband,” I call out, but he’s already gone. Asshole.

Desperate for sleep, I trudge upstairs, slam the bedroom door behind me, and strip off. The shower’s hot water is soothing against my tense muscles.

But as the steam rises, so do the memories, and my stomach knots. How can someone so evil make my body react like that? How can he make me come when he treats me like dirt?

I should be angry. I should want to murder him, not crave him.

It’s the same sick pull I felt with the masked man—Axe digs into the filthiest, most fucked-up parts of me. The thrill-seeker. The whore. The pieces I hate, the ones I lock away and pretend don’t exist.

Now they’re awake and I’m stuck choking on the ugly truth.

“Stop,” I snap. I won’t let myself spiral into this. I won’t pick it apart, won’t analyze it. He’s a goddamn monster—cruel, sadistic, vile.

Wanting him would be sick.Iwould be sick.

And I refuse.

Stepping out of the shower, I wrap a towel around myself and walk to my room. Axe is sprawled in a chair, scowling. The sight of him stops me in my tracks.

“Have fun?” He slowly stands and walks over to me, his eyes burning into mine.

“What are you doing in here?” I quickly step back.

“This is my house.” He closes in, and I back up until my back is against the wall. “And you’re my property.”

“I am not your property.”

“Yes, you are,” he growls, leaning in. “Your body belongs to me.” His lips are inches from mine, his breath hot against my skin. “I own you, little siren.” He roughly grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him.

“Spencer just took me to dinner,” I blurt out.

“I don’t give a shit,” he snaps. “You don’t ignore me. Do you understand?” Tears prick my eyes, and my lip quivers. I’m exhausted and overwhelmed; I just want to sleep.

“Axel,” I whisper, locking eyes with him. “Please.” My voice cracks as the tears spill over. “Just leave me alone. Please.”

For a moment, I catch a glimpse of something in his eyes—sympathy, maybe even remorse. But just as quickly as it appears, it’s gone.

He reaches for the towel, yanking it away like he owns me. Impulsively, I react, slapping him hard across the face. The shock of what I’ve done hits me immediately. My palm stings, and my breath quickens.

He slowly turns to me, his eyes burning with rage.Fuck.

“You’re gonna fucking pay for that,” he growls.

In one swift move, he grabs me by the neck and throws me onto the bed, dragging me until my head hangs over the edge. His belt is off in an instant, and before I can even process it, he’s tightening it around my throat.

Panic surges through me as I kick and thrash, desperate to break free, but his strength is overwhelming. My vision blurs as the belt constricts tighter, choking off my air.

“You are mine, little siren,” he rasps, his voice dark and possessive. “Mine to control, mine to fuck, and mine tokill.”

“No,” I croak, but my protest is cut short as he pulls the belt tighter, pushing me closer to the edge of unconsciousness.

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