Page 48 of Once A Villain

I climb into the car, fastening my seatbelt. His door slams, and the car jerks forward, tires screeching as we speed out of the lot.

Tears well in my eyes as I imagine the punishment awaiting me. My heart pounds, panic rising. I steal glances at him; his anger is palpable, his grip on the steering wheel white-knuckled, forearms tensed and veins bulging.

My breath comes in quick, shallow bursts, and my chest feels constricted. I try to steady myself, twisting my fingers.

I need to break this fucking silence before I choke on it.

“Axe, I can’t?—”

“Don’t fucking talk,” he snarls, cutting me off.

My stomach clenches, and I focus on the passing scenery, fighting back tears. It infuriates me how easily he instills fear in me. How much power he has over my emotions.

Spencer’s warnings echo in my mind, urging me not to test him, that I don’t know what he’s capable of.

Each passing second feels like torture, amplifying my growing terror. Anger begins to replace fear, my hands balling into fists, nails digging into my palms. This anger becomes a welcomed distraction, giving me the courage to finally speak.

“Look, I’m sorry,” I begin, taking a deep breath. “I?—”

“I said, don’t fucking talk.”

I swallow, biting my lip to hold back tears. The drive feels like an eternity. As we pull into the driveway, he slams on the brakes, the car jolting to a stop. He exits swiftly, slamming the door behind him.

Yanking open my door, he seizes my arm and wrenches me out, his grip bruising, fingers digging into my skin. Dragging me towards the house, I dig my heels into the ground, trying to resist.

“Axel, I’m sorry, please,” I plead desperately. “I can’t?—”

Without a word, he throws me over his shoulder. My screams and cries fill the air as I pound his back with my fists, kicking wildly. He doesn’t flinch, his grip firm and relentless. My cries echo through the empty house.

“No! Let me go! Axe, please!” My voice is shrill and frantic. “I’m sorry!”

He ignores my pleas, pressing his hand against my lower back as he strides through the house. As we enter the living room, a fresh wave of dread washes over me. I fight harder, thrashing and kicking.

He throws me to the floor, my knees slamming into the hardwood. Pain shoots up my legs, forcing another scream from my throat. I jerk upright, eyes locking on him as he tosses something into the fireplace.

Fear floods me, and I scramble to my feet, but his grip yanks me back, a sharp scream ripping from my lips.

He towers over me, a look of pure darkness in his eyes.

Griffen barges into the room, his face etched with panic.

“Axe, what the fuck!?”

He shoves me to the ground, and pain shoots through me as I collide with the hardwood again.

“Hold her down! NOW!” he roars, closing in.

Griffen drops to his knees beside me, his hands quickly locking around my wrists, pinning my arms behind my back as I scream and thrash, desperate to break free.

“No! No! Don’t!” I cry, struggling against his hold.

Griffen’s grip tightens, his chest pressed against me, his heartbeat hammering against my skin. Tears blur my vision, streaming down my face as I sob uncontrollably.

Axe retrieves a red-hot metal object from the fire. The glowing end sizzles, smoke curling into the air, and panic floods me.

“NO! Please don’t! Please!”

Axe kneels, his hand fisting my hair, yanking my head up to meet his cold, merciless stare.

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