Page 37 of The Psychopaths

“I’m only going to ask you one more time. Did you look at the USB drive?”

She swallows so hard I feel it against my lips. “No, I couldn’t get through the password.”

My lips hover over her pulse. “Why should I believe you?”

She wants to speak—but hesitates. When she finally finds her voice, it’s softer and tentative. Her eyes search mine like she’s trying to understand something bigger. “If you’d just talk to me,” she adds, voice trembling. “I could help you. I know something’s wrong… I just don’t know what. What are you hiding, Aries?”

I freeze. The question isn’t a challenge—it’s curiosity drenched in concern. She doesn’t know who I am, but if she did, I doubt she would be offering me such help. I told myself I would make a point and leave. Now I’m contemplating my next move.

What would she give—if I asked? How far would she go to feel useful? To feel trusted?

My control snaps, and the temptation to ruin another piece of my brother’s perfect life overwhelms me. “You want to help? What are you willing to do to gain access to my secrets?”

“I don’t know. Whatever it takes. I will help however I can.”

I tilt my head to the side and inspect her delicate features. “However you can?”

“Yes.” The word is a whisper escaping her lips, and I’m tempted to kiss those lips, to devour her from the inside out.

“Then prove it.”

Her brow furrows with confusion. “How?”

I smile. “Through obedience. Show me I can trust you. Prove yourself to me.”

“Okay,” she agrees without knowing what she is agreeing to. So innocent, yet stupid at the same time.

“Get on your knees.”

She blinks. “What?”

I lift myself off her, letting her up. “Knees. Now.”

She doesn’t move. Not right away. Her eyes dart between mine and the USB still in my hand. “What am I proving to you by being on my knees?”

“That you can follow directions. That you aren’t afraid of the unknown. That you’re willing to do anything, no questions asked.” I anticipate her pushing back, or at least telling me no, but she shocks the hell out of me when she licks her lips and instead asks a question.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Accept your punishment.”

Even in the dim lighting, I can see the slight pink in her cheeks. “I’ve never done this before.”

“Oh, I know,” I say, unbuckling my belt slowly. “Nothing thrills me more than the fact that I get to be your first.”What am I thinking?I should get the fuck out of here, but the thought is no longer an option in my mind.

“Wait… I don’t…” Fear and lust swirl together in the depths of her blue eyes.

“You said you wanted to help. Said you want to prove yourself to me, and now you’re backpedaling. Which is it? Do you want to prove yourself to me, or would you rather remain hidden in the dark?”

Her eyes flash with defiance, and I know I have her right where I want her. She wants to prove herself to him,to me,more than anything.

“Ticktock…” I purse my lips and stare down at her. My brother might’ve found her first, but she belongs to me now. It doesn’t matter if she’s aware of it or not.

“What’s it going to be?”

She hesitates, just for a second. That second tells me everything—she’s afraid, torn, unsure. Slowly, with trembling legs, she lowers herself to the floor. She’s a girl stepping into the fire, knowing it’ll burn and needing to feel it, anyway.

Good girl.

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