Page 223 of Did They Break You

Oh, thank God, the toilet.I’ve been feeling queasy lately, and I’m not so sure it’s just all the drinking.

I don’t bother closing the door behind me or flicking on the light as I walk to the toilet, sink to my knees in front of it, my stomach churning. I’m not scared of the dark anymore.I’m not scared of anything anymore.

I should’ve known when they circled me in those woods that it was all over. That I should’ve ran like I didn’t before. I should’ve dropped out. At the very least, avoided him.

I shouldn’t have let him touch me.

It’s too late now.

I hear the floor creak outside of the bathroom, the music playing in the background, something I don’t recognize. At least it isn’t Deftones.

A shadow looms in the doorway and I tilt my head up, blinking in the darkness. Light in the hall surrounds the shadow, and I can’t make out a face.

I scrub my hand over my eyes.

The shadow comes closer.

I’m really fucked up.I laugh to myself, putting a hand over my mouth, wondering if it’s Van coming to get me. Drag me home.

He’s been disappointed in me lately.

I can relate.

The shadow steps into the bathroom, closes the door behind it. My heart kicks up speed, and for the first time, I feel fear.

I open my mouth to say something, but before I can, someone grabs my arm. Yanks me to my feet. Shoves me against the glass shower door.

A voice is in my ear before I can take a breath. “Hello, Remi.” Hands tangle in my hair, slamming my cheek hard against the frosted glass. “Don’t you know you shouldn’t be all alone in pack territory? I thought I already taught you that.”

“Chase.”

His name leaves my lips as fear, too late, coils in my gut, making my knees shake.

“Yeah, Rems.It’s me.”

I try to catch my breath, try to say something else. Anything at all. But just like that night, I can’t.

I can’t speak.

I close my eyes tight as Chase’s hand comes up my thigh, flipping up my skirt. He cups my ass, then presses his erection into me, groaning.

“So glad I got to see you again, away fromCort.” He kisses my neck and I bite my lip so hard I taste blood, but I don’t open my eyes. I don’t say a word.

I try to think of the best way to hurt him instead.

“After we shot at him, we thought he’d stay away for good, but I think he’s obsessed with you, Remi. Storm, too. I think they want you as their very own little toy. They’ve been following you, and I can’t have that.”

Shot at Cortland?

I try to think as Chase’s fingers come around my front, slipping under the edge of my tank top.

“Shot?” I echo, confused.

Chase palms my breasts and laughs against my mouth. His breath smells like beer and my skin crawls. “Oh, he didn’t tell you? Didn’t wanna ruin his image, huh? Yeah, my dad aimed a gun at him and pulled the trigger.” He laughs again and something besides fear awakens under my skin as he drags his hand across my chest, his erection still pushed against me. “He dropped like a fucking pussy, covering his head with his hands?—”

I shove against the shower door, pushing back. “Heshot at him?”Those words are little more than a whisper as I imagine a bullet hitting Cortland. “He fuckingshot at him?”That’s a snarl, growing louder, and I’m shoving harder now, trying to spin around to get my hands on Chase.

“Oh, now you wanna fight? You wanna fight for your boyfriend,pretty baby?”