Page 51 of Rule

I stared at my knees. “He would have too.He was – I mean, he had some mental health issues before he started doing thedrugs, but the drugs made it so much worse. He said he was my guardian andthat I had to do exactly what he said.”

Not wanting to sound completely pathetic, Isaid, “I did run away once. I took my last paycheque from a job that he mademe quit and I took a bus to a different city a few hours away. I got a cheapmotel room, but Alex found me after only a few days. I don’t know how, but hefound me. And then he,” my throat was dry as dust and it made a painfulsounding click when I swallowed, “he beat me so bad that I couldn’t get out ofbed for two days. That was the first time I started peeing blood.”

Court and Bran didn’t say anything. Afraidto look at them, I continued to study my knees. “He didn’t hit me in the facevery often, he didn’t want people to start asking questions. So, he hit andkicked me a lot in the kidneys and the liver.”

Court made a low sound in the back of histhroat. I glanced up at him and made an anxious squeak at the look of purefury in his gaze. It made me want to immediately try and protect my kidneys,but I resisted, looking back at my knees instead.

“So, that is why you joined the lifetime breedingprogram?” Bran said.

“Mostly. Alex had a friend – Troy. He wasa drug dealer like Alex and just as mean. He, uh, he liked me.” Gallberryflavoured bile rose in my throat and I swallowed it down. “I was a virgin andTroy liked that. He said it was hot that I’d never been with a man before andthat he was going to be my first.”

Another low growl from Court and I crossedmy arms over my torso, my hand resting against my kidneys. “I went to a bar onenight, found a random guy, and slept with him. I figured if I wasn’t a virgin,Troy wouldn’t want me anymore. I made sure that some of Alex’s other friendswere at the bar, and that they saw me go home with the guy. The next day when Icame home, Alex was waiting for me.”

I shuddered at the memory of whathappened. “He was so mad. He beat me up really bad again, but I didn’t care becauseit worked. Troy didn’t want me anymore.”

I took a deep breath and this time glanced atBran. There was anger in his face but also pity, and fresh shame floodedthrough me. I should never have told them the truth, but it was too late now.

“Anyway,” my voice was dull, “it onlyworked for a bit. Troy decided after a few weeks, that he didn’t care that Iwas used goods and Alex told me that I would be marrying Troy at the end ofthis month. I had applied for the nanny program months ago, but I knew I wouldnever get chosen. I didn’t have any experience with kids.”

I shifted on the couch a little, my thighspressing against both Court’s and Bran’s. After being hurt by Alex so much, I didn’tlike people in my personal space. It usually made me feel anxious anduncomfortable, but I didn’t mind this. The heat from their large bodies feltnice.

“The day after they told me I had no choiceand that I was marrying Troy, I had the genetic testing done for the breeding program.Three days after I found out I had the breeding compatible gene, the agency toldme they’d found me a mate. Apparently, I’m what they call a guaranteed breeder.They said I’d probably get pregnant on the first try and because I signed upfor the lifetime program, they matched me with the king.”

“Did your stepbrother find out you joinedthe breeding program?” Court asked. “Is that why he beat you again?”

I made a bitter laugh. “No. He had no idea.He was just drunk and high and in a bad mood, the night before I was leaving. Hecame into my room and tried to pick a fight with me about marrying Troy andwhen I refused to talk to him, he beat me up. I passed out from the pain andnormally he stops hitting me when that happens, but I don’t think he did that time.I woke up in the morning and was in a lot of pain. I only had about tenminutes before the land vehicle from the agency arrived, so I had to pack reallyquickly without waking Alex up. It’s why I don’t have many clothes andpersonal items. I mean, I didn’t have much to begin with, but most of it I hadto leave behind. I had to sneak out because if Alex had seen the agency comingto get me, he would have killed me. I know it.”

“He nearly did kill you.” Court reachedout to touch my side before seeming to think better of it and dropping his handinto his lap.

“I tried to hide my injuries because atfirst I thought you were the king. I didn’t want you to send me back to Earth becauseyou thought I was too hurt to have sex with you and bear your children,” I saidto Bran.

“Once you knew about the mix-up, why didyou continue to lie to us?” Court asked.

I didn’t reply, and his fingers grasped my chinand tipped my head up again. “Tell us, little human.”

I searched his face, instinctively knowingthat the worst thing I could do was lie to him in this moment. “I was afraid youwould tell the king that I was weak, and he should send me back. I can’t go backto Earth. If I do, I’ll have no choice but to go back to Alex and then hereally will kill me or worse, marry me off to Troy. My mom and dad are dead, I’ma lower with no money and no real job experience. If I’m banned from thebreeding program, my only choices back on Earth are to be homeless and starvingor being married off to a disgusting brutal pig of a man.”

Court released my chin and I pressed mylips together before saying, “I loved my dad a lot and the day he died was theworse day of my life. I miss him every single day, and I hate that I’ll neverget to see him or hug him or tell him I love him ever again. It’s why I’llnever say anything to the king about, um, what happened with us in the bed thatmorning.”

I glanced at Court and then at Bran. “Idon’t want to go back to Earth, but more importantly, I don’t want Bella growingup without a dad like I did. She needs you. Both of you.”

A small semblance of a smile crossed Bran’sface. “We know you will not say anything, little human.”

We sat in silence for a few minutes before Istood. “I’m sorry I lied to you and I’m sorry I woke you up by breaking theglass. I’m going to clean up the glass and then go to bed.”

“We will clean it up,” Bran said. “Go tobed.”

“No,” I said. “It’s my mess and I shouldclean -”

Court stood and touched my dark hair for amoment. “Go to bed, little human. No more arguing with us.”

I chewed on my bottom lip before noddingand, keeping the blanket wrapped around me, trudging out of the living room andback to my bedroom. As I climbed into the bed, there was a part of me thatwanted to be ashamed that I’d told my pathetic life story to them.

Instead, there was only an odd sense ofrelief. Lying to them made me feel sick to my stomach. I closed my eyes and tooka few deep breaths. Everything would be fine. Court and Bran would keep my secrets,and, in a few weeks, I would be with the king and starting my new life. I’dnever see either Bran or Court again.

That thought sent trepidation through me. Neverseeing them again shouldn’t bother me, they were practically strangers, afterall, but itdidbother me.

It bothered me a great deal.

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