Page 42 of Uprising

Half a dozen sets of eyes snap to me but mine find the ones belonging to a girl who looks barely more than a teenager, stripped, bleeding, obviously terrified in the centre of the room.

And then Carter is shoving me forward while simultaneously releasing his arms so that I fall onto my knees in front of all of them.

A few smirk. A few take the opportunity to leer at me and I realise then how stupid it was to be creeping around in just the slip I was sleeping in. I didn’t even put a robe on. I was too concerned for Lara’s safety to consider it at the time.

I pull myself up, bringing my arms up to obscure my body as best I can but they’ve all been treated to a nice view of me.

“Rose.” Darius says.

I gulp looking above the petrified girl’s head to the man stood right behind her.

“Why are you here?” He asks, as if I’ve walked in on a business meeting and nothing nefarious at all.

I shake my head, my eyes darting back to the woman who’s now silently pleading with me to help. Only I don’t know how I can.

“I caught her lurking down the corridor.” Carter says.

“I wasn’t lurking.” I snap back.

Darius’s lips curl, he steps closer, and me and this mystery girl both tense even more.

“What were you doing then?” Darius asks.

“I heard a noise. A scream.” I say.

Darius grins. Yanking the girl’s head and she whimpers as she’s forced back right into his crotch.

“Did you now?” Darius replies. “Did you wonder what all the commotion was? Did you want to come join our little party? Join in the fun?”

I shake my head as all the men snigger.

I don’t know what the fuck this is but all I want to do is scramble to my feet and get the hell out of here.

As I try to get up Carter grabs me. “Not so fast.” He says.

“Let me go you piece of shit.” I hiss back.

He lets out a laugh. Darius laughs too before fixing me with a look.

“You’re not meant to be out after dark Rose.” He says. “I made that very clear didn’t I?”

I nod. He did make that clear. That was the one rule he had when he forced me to move in here. That and I had to do what he wanted, whatever he wanted, without complaint. Not that I’ve been following through on that front.

The girl starts crying like this is all suddenly too much.

“For fucksake.” One of them moans.

“We already told you we’re sick of your tears.” Darius snarls tightening his grip on her hair.

“Stop.” I say and his eyes snap to me.

“What did you say?” He asks

“Let her go, whatever this is, just, stop it.” I plead.

He pushes her hard, making her face plant onto the parquet flooring. He jerks his head for Carter to release me and then he’s grabbing me, gripping my arms so tightly in his.

“You’re hurting me.” I gasp.

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