Page 24 of Ours

Taking a step backwards, a nervous shiver ran down the length of her spine. It was as if a switch had flipped behind his piercing eyes. What he had planned wasn’t foreplay, the realization ignited her fight or flight response.

“Turn around and go back into the closet,” he ordered.

Painting an unbothered look over her face, she squared her shoulders. Under normal circumstances, she would be poised toattack him if he dared to touch her. Unfortunately, her massive body put her at a huge disadvantage. It pissed her off to no end that she wouldn’t be able to fight him off.

“Why?” she asked.

Readying the cuffs, he moved into her personal space. Glaring down at her, he lifted his free hand to gently cradle the side of her flushing face. “Because it’s soundproofed and the maids will be here any minute,” he answered, purposefully dropping his voice an octave lower.

Blinking at him, she was momentarily thrown off by his sweet caress and threatening words. She had never personally dealt with this terrifying side of him, it made her skin crawl. The night before she had overheard him talking to himself, muttering something about how his cravings had returned and he wasn’t sure if he could fight them off. She had written it off, thinking he was talking about booze or drugs. Now, however, she knewexactlywhat he was talking about.

“You won’t hurt me,” she breathed, pulling away from his touch. “You...youloveme.”

Scrunching his handsome face, Kade couldn’t help but chuckle, the gruff sound filled with dark intent. “Love you? Fuck, I don’t evenlikeyou! Now get into the closet before I lose my patience!”

Pressing her lips into a fine line, she bristled in anger. Admittedly, it was stupid of her to play that card, but she was desperate. She wouldn’t have time to bolt for the door before he caught her. She needed to think of something else that might sway him. Quickly.

“What about the baby, huh?” she asked.

“What about him?” he replied coldly.

“Well…if you kill me, then you will kill your precious baby boy, right? Could you live with yourself if you did that?” she asked, lifting her chin defiantly.

Pausing for dramatic effect, he allowed her to believe she had him rethinking his plans. Of course he couldn’t live with himself if something happened to his son. Lucky for him, he knew Lexi would find a way to stop him before he crossed that line.

Just let me step back in! That’s what he wants, you stupid cunt!Lexi screamed.

Taking in a sharp breath, her alter’s words clicked in her mind. He had no real intention of hurting her, it was so glaringly obvious. He only wanted to scare her into letting his little mouse take over. God, he was a moron to think she would give up her position so easily.

“Well that’snotgoing to fucking happen,” she hissed aloud.

Surprised by her odd outburst, he eyed her carefully. She wasn’t speaking to him,no.There was an internal conversation going on. It made him smile to know that his love was preparing herself. There was no doubt in his mind that she would be able to overthrow her as soon as he gave her a window of opportunity.

Confident that he wouldn’t truly hurt her, Nikki made the decision to fight him off. Moving her clumsy body into an attack stance, she balled her hand into a tight fist. Using as much force as she could muster, she let out a feral growl and launched an uppercut towards his chin.

Instinctively taking a step backwards, his muscle memory took hold. Before she had time to react, he grabbed her thin wristand wrenched her arm behind her back. Clicking his tongue in disapproval, he roughly grabbed her free arm and yanked it back. Holding her wrists with one hand, he used the metal handcuffs to subdue her.

“Should have tried a jab, your uppercuts are too slow,” he chided, pushing her towards the closet. “Now get in the fucking closet!”

Thrashing her pregnant body, she tried in vain to break his grip on her wrists and shoulder. If it weren’t for the parasite kicking her bladder, she would be in the kitchen right now grabbing a much-needed knife. She couldn’t believe how worthless her body was in its current state.

Digging his fingers into her skin, he forced her into the closet. Giving her a harsh shove, he slammed the door behind him. Watching her fall hard to her knees, he spit out a sharp expletive. This wasn’t going how he expected it to. He couldn’t let his anger get the better of him. Lexi would ultimately pay the price for whatever physically happened to Nikki, he needed to watch himself.

Wincing from the pain radiating from her knees, she turned her head and gave him a scathing scowl. She hated that he had the upper hand, it made her pulse race with rage. “Well asshole, what now? Huh?” she asked, gulping in air.

Stepping towards her, he circled her once before kneeling his large form before her. He didn’t care for the splotchy flush dancing over her bare breasts, nor the way she sounded as if she was on the verge of hyperventilating. She was working herself up. Most likely on purpose.

Make this quick,Demetri said.Any stress you put her under, the baby will feel too. Just yank the bandaid. Lexi will be ready.

Leaning close, he raised his left hand and gently wrapped his fingers around her throat. Giving a small squeeze, he forced her to meet his simmering gaze. “Let Lexi take over,” he ordered, his voice eerily calm.“Now.”

Laughing in his face, she rolled her eyes like a petulant child. “Fuck off, I’mneverletting her back in,” she replied, squeaking slightly as his grip hardened.

Who says I need your permission?Lexi hissed; her voice no longer contained to the dark corner of her mind.

Feeling a tight punch to her gut, Nikki gasped as her breath was knocked from her lungs. Distracted by the physical attack, she didn’t have time to contain Lexi before she felt two more internal blows. One to her right kidney, and one to the back of her head.

“YOU...FUCKING…CUNT!”she screamed.

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