Page 153 of Downfall

He snorts. “Oh sweetheart, you’re still labouring under the illusion that you have a choice so let me make this plain and clear. You don’t. You are mine now. You will do exactly what I say, just as you did what Paris said before me because if you don’t you can say goodbye to that precious daughter of yours forever.”

“No.” I cry, knowing I’m giving him the exact reaction he wants but I can’t help it. Not in this moment. I think I’d agree to anything just to keep her safe, just to keep her with me.

“Get in.” He says stating each word through gritted teeth.

I feel it then, the rising bile, the fury too, I’m going to fight this, I just need to figure out how. Roman is dead, I have no one coming to help, and with a sinking feeling I know I need to play along until then because Lara depends upon it and her needs far outweigh any and all of mine.

I drop my gaze, my body slumping with submission and I get into the bed ignoring the obvious smirk Darius is now giving me. He slides in beside me, his arms already wrapping around and it takes everything inside me not to push him away.

As his skin presses against mine he murmurs loud enough for me to hear. “I’ll treat you right Rose. I’ll take care of you and in time you’ll learn to love me just as much as you did Paris and Roman.”

I bite my tongue swallowing the reply that I don’t want him to, that I don’t need him to. And as a wave of exhaustion hits me I realise that I’m falling asleep, that the drugs are definitely still in my system and that in this moment I’m submitting more than even I intended.

Vaguely I register him kissing the side of my head. Clearly this moment is enough for him but I don’t want to think about what tomorrow will bring, what more parts of me I will have to sacrifice so I let myself go, let myself sleep, hoping that at least in the morning I might have more strength to fight.

Rose

His hands are all over me. I lie still, frozen like a god damn statue, but he doesn’t stop, he doesn’t relent. He takes his time, no doubt enjoying every second of this as I fight back the tears, as I fight to keep myself from lashing out at him.

He doesn’t fuck me.

I guess he knows even that is a step too far at this point.

But he does enough to prove he’s in control. To prove he has total power over me.

And every time I whimper, every time a sob escapes me he just soothes me, as if this is what I want, as if he is what I want.

Roman is dead. Gone.

There’s nothing I can do now except focus on saving Lara. And if it means enduring this, then I’ll do it. I’ll do whatever I have to, to ensure my daughter survives.

Mercifully, he leaves the room long enough for me to get dressed. I didn’t dare shower for fear he’d come back and find me there so his stench is still all over me. My skin feels like I’m covered in hand marks.

And now I’m just pacing, in a far too clingy dress because that’s all there was to wear. He didn’t even give me underwear so I’m wearing the same panties from yesterday.

The door opens and though my stomach lurches with fear, I can’t think of me right now, I have to put Lara’s needs first.

He walks in, runs his eyes over me in approval and I fight the almost overwhelming urge to punch him.

“I want to see Lara.” I say.

He meets my gaze, clearly considering it.

“If you want me to play along then you have to acquiesce to my demands.” I state.

His lips curl and he steps forward, wrapping his arm around my waist, pulling me into his frame. “If you promise to be good then you can see her.”

“I will.” I say quickly.

His eyes drop to my lips. “If you misbehave, if you try anything then I will not only punish you but I will punish her too.”

I gulp nodding. “I won’t.” I half whisper.

He leans in, his lips hovering just a fraction from mine and it’s clear what he wants, what he’s expecting. I hate myself for it but I do it.

I kiss him.

Lightly.

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