Page 32 of Blood Ties
His hand slides up my thigh. I kick my legs and try to push him away, but his other hand closes around my neck and presses me against the wall. I’m helpless to do anything but clutch at his wrist and gasp for air as his fingers undo the button on my shorts and slide beneath.
His eyes glint. “Mm. I was right.”
My face burns from both the humiliation and the lack of oxygen. “Stop,” I choke out.
He teases my clit with two fingers, rubbing slow circles that make heat bloom in my lower stomach. I don’t want to enjoy it, but he forces the pleasure out of me with his expert fingers, his rhythm gradually increasing. Tears prick the corner of my eyes as I realize I can’t fight the feeling growing inside of me.
“Come for me, little whore,” he says.
I come apart beneath his fingers with a sob, my body trembling as he turns it against me. Then he releases me and slowly draws his hand back, leaving me hollow and humiliated.
“I hate you,” I whisper. I can’t bring myself to care about staying on his good side. Right now it feels like maybe I would prefer to die after all.
He licks his fingers and hums under his breath. “Doesn’t taste like hate.”
*
KAI FINDS ME SOON AFTERWARD. My tears have run dry, but I’m sure I still look like a miserable mess, huddled under my blanket against the wall. I can’t summon up the energy to lift my head as he comes to a stop in front of me.
“You said you were going to protect me,” I whisper, my voice thick.
“Did he hurt you?”
I finally manage to lift my eyes to him. “What do you think, Kai?”
He sinks to his knees on the concrete in front of my mattress. I revel in the genuine pain on his face.
“You won’t touch me, but you’ll let your brother do whatever he wants?” I ask. Dig my fingers into the wound. Let it hurt.
It’s worth it to see him flinch. He presses his palms against the concrete, leaning forward, desperation etched in every line of his face.
“I can’t stop him,” he says.
“Can’t, or won’t?”
“My dad will kill you if he catches us fighting over you.”
Silence stretches out between us. I take a deep breath, and another. As badly as I want to hurt Kai, I know that I can’t push too far. I still need him, and this is an opportunity. I’m feeling vulnerable right now, but so is he.
After a moment, I extend a hand, letting the chain rattle as it drags across the floor. “Come here,” I order.
He climbs onto the mattress on his hands and knees, hesitant but obedient.
“Hold me,” I say.
He doesn’t hesitate this time. He sits beside me, back against the wall, and scoops me into his lap. His lean arms feel more like a cage than a comfort, but I let myself melt against him, my head on his chest. I can feel his heart pounding; I want to rip it out and stomp on it.One day, I tell myself, as I sink into his embrace.One day I’m going to kill him. I’m going to kill them all.
