Page 54 of Once A Villain

I close my eyes, focus on my breathing, and try to find some relief. Exhaustion quickly takes over, pulling me into a restless sleep.

I’m jolted awake by a hand tracing the brand on my ass. Startled, I yelp and scramble back. Bradley stands there, his expression dark and unsettling.

“What the hell?!”

“That’s a pretty mark,” he remarks casually, and I have to suppress the rising bile in my throat.

“Bradley, don’t touch me.”

“Now, Rory, is that any way to talk to your boss?” His tone is condescending as he steps closer, and I instinctively shrink away, his closeness unnerving.

I know what he wants. He’s never made a secret of it.

“This isn’t going to happen,” I tell him, standing my ground. “Get out of my dressing room. Now.”

“Oh, but it is.” He licks his lips, smirking.

I shake my head, pressing myself deeper into the corner of the couch. He advances, closing the distance between us. “Get away from me, Bradley. Now!” I yell, trying to keep the fear from my voice.

Before I can react, he grabs me forcefully, pulling me toward him. I struggle to push him away, but his strength overpowers me. His hands close around my neck, cutting off my air, and I gasp, clawing at his arms in a frantic attempt to break free. He drags me across the room to the vanity, pinning me on my stomach. His weight presses against me, his hard cock poking me, his grip on my neck painful.

“Bradley,” I croak, barely able to get the words out.

“Shhh,” he shushes. Reaching into his pocket, he produces zip ties and binds my hands to the vanity post. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted you, Rory.” His hand runs along my side, and I thrash.

“Let me go!”

He laughs, his breath hot against my neck.

“You and I are going to have lots of fun.” He yanks my shorts and underwear down. “That’s a lovely sight.” He gropes my ass as his fingers trace the brand. “Such a good little whore. Axel marked his territory. Did you enjoy that?”

“You fucking piece of shit!” I scream, bucking and twisting wildly.

His hand lands a hard blow across my face. My head snaps to the side, and the force knocks the wind out of me.

“You have two options. You can be good and cooperate, or keep fighting and get hurt. Either way, you’re going to scream for me, and I’m going to enjoy this pretty pussy. The harder you fight, the worse it will be.”

He pushes his knee between my legs, forcing them apart.

Panic rips through me, and I fight, trying desperately to push him away.

His fingers trace along the curve of my ass. “I’ve never been able to fuck you before. Your father was always protecting you. Now, you have this.” He runs his finger over the raw branding. “So, if you want to still be a Siren when we’re done, then you will behave.”

“Axe will kill you,” I manage to choke out, and Bradley laughs.

“Oh, sweetheart, he can’t kill me. I’m a Sovereign.” Roughly grabbing my hips, he lifts me, pulling me to the edge of the vanity. He leans over and whispers, “I’ll even make it feel good.”

Movement catches my eye in the mirror. Someone is standing there. The dark silhouette swiftly steps forward, seizing Bradley by the throat and cutting off his air.

The masked man tightens his hold, pressing hard. The room fills with the sound of Bradley choking, and soon, his eyes roll back, his body going limp. The masked man drops him to the floor, where he lies motionless.

He violently kicks Bradley, each blow landing with sickening force against his ribs. Blood splatters on the floor, and the sound of crunching bones fills the air. I’m frozen, unable to look away.

The masked man stands over Bradley, his body heaving and blood pooling around him. Then he turns toward me, his eyes dark and fists clenched, the sound of his knuckles cracking filling the air. My gaze trails up his muscular body, taking in his all-black clothing and the skull mask.

He looks like an angel of death. My angel.

Exhaling harshly, he approaches me. I shut my eyes tightly, tears streaming down my cheeks as my heart races and my breathing grows louder in my ears.

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