Page 29 of Depravity

“I, thor, thor, thought tattoos weren’t permitted.” I whisper, hating how much I’m always stammering around this monster. He’ll never take me seriously while I act like I’m petrified. But then, why would he take me seriously in any circumstance? I’m all but his prisoner, his sex slave, despite his words to the contrary.

He gives a little chuckle. “You’ll learn soon enough that rules can be bent.”

“What rules?”

He tilts his head, closing the distance between us and I stumble backwards before he snatches me up. “I’m a Blake.” He says in that arrogant tone. “My brother is about to become Chapter Lord. Very soon, we’ll be untouchable.”

Is that what he thinks, is that what he believes, that he’ll be above the rules? As if any of us are. As if we can’t be brought down, knocked from our ivory towers. But then again, I guess that’s just us, us Ladies. No, the Lords are playing by different rules. Their rules. It’s their game, and we’re all just marionettes helplessly being strung along.

“I’m a Monclere,” I state. “My family won’t just sit by…”

His grip tightens, and I fall quickly to silence as the anger seems to flash in his eyes.

“Not for much longer.” He says just loud enough for me to hear.

My head drops. I stare down at the fancy dress he’s put me in, and he must think that’s some sort of show of submission because he lets me go, leaving me alone while he dresses himself in a suit that seems almost identical to the one he had on before.

Once he’s fixed his tie, he turns to face me, brushing my still wet hair back before he towel dries enough of it to stop the dripping.

“You look beautiful.” He says. “Absolutely stunning.”

I don’t know where we’re going. I don’t know where he could possibly be taking me but surely we can’t be going out anywhere public, everyone knows he’s set to marry Giselle. If I’m seen with him, if I’m seen alone with any man that isn’t my grandfather, I’ll be ruined.

I gulp, biting my tongue even harder, afraid of every step I take as he guides me out of the sprawling penthouse and into an immaculately polished hall beyond.

There’s a lift ahead, he motions for me to get in and I realise it must be private, for his use only. Neither of us speak as itdescends but I take note of how much time passes, how high we truly are. Good thing I don’t have vertigo, or I’d be so dizzy right now.

The chime dings merrily when we come to a stop and as the doors open there’s a man standing waiting for us. He inclines his head to Conrad, but makes a point of not looking at me once. Behind him a shiny SUV is waiting. The man struts over, holding the door for us, and Conrad ensures I get in first.

Perhaps it’s naïve, perhaps it’s stupid but I try the other door, praying that it might open, but what would I even do if it does? I can hardly jump out and skip my way to freedom, can I?

Conrad gets in beside me and gives me a look that stops me dead in my tracks and for a second, I think he’s going to beat me.

Without a word he reaches over, and I flinch as he takes the seat belt and straps it into place, all but locking me in. Once he’s clicked his in, he jerks his head for the driver to go. We’re in an underground carpark. Again, I think it’s private, just for Conrad’s cars and I count at least three supercars as we pull away, all neatly polished and ready for when he wants them.

Outside, it’s dark so I guess I did sleep the entire day away. The city is lit up with fancy neon lights, and I stare out watching as one street after another passes by. It’s so weird to think that the real world is out here, within touching distance, that all these people are living their lives and they have no clue what’s really going on. No clue that we, the Brethren, control every aspect of it.

Our windows are blacked out so I know it’s useless to even try to wave for help, but I’ll admit I do feel a thrill at finally being out, at finally seeing this tiny bit of the city. My family always kept me locked away, out of sight. Sure I went to school, but I was chauffeured there and chauffeured back, I wasn’t allowed any autonomy.

I turn my body, giving my back to Conrad and I stare out, open mouthed, eager for every glimpse I can get.

And then his hand trails down my back, down my spine, moving my hair out of the way and exposing more of me.

I freeze. I gulp down the fear and pray that he might just leave it at that, but he doesn’t. Of course he doesn’t. He starts tracing my skin, making patterns across it with his fingertips. Is this why he put me in a backless dress? So he could assault every inch of me?

His lips brush against the softness of my neck, and it’s too much. Far too much.

“Don’t.” I say before I can stop myself.

His breath hits my skin as he exhales with what sounds like a snarl. “Fight me and I will hurt you.”

Like he hasn’t already. Like he hasn’t done the absolute worst.

His hand reaches around to grip my jaw, and he pulls my head around to face him. “Is that what you want? You want pain? Maybe that’s your thing, you get off on it?”

I shake my head as much as he will allow, not even understanding what the hell he’s talking about. Get off on what? What does that even mean?

His thumb forces its way into my mouth and as he starts pushing further back, I choke. My eyes stream as I gag but he doesn’t relent, he just takes more and more, not caring that I can’t even breathe.

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