Page 71 of Demons and Debts
I plant myself between them, trying to take up as little space as possible, trying not to accidentally brush up against them even a tiny bit.
I feel Theo watching me and I glance at him.
‘What?’ I ask softly, aware that the others can hear everything.
‘If you need anything tonight … I mean if you …become distressedat all, just tell me, ok?’
A little puzzled by his caring attitude considering it wasn’t all that long ago that he refused to untie my wrist from his bed and told me he couldn’t give a shit if I was in discomfort, I frown at him and I notice his eyes flick to the yellowing bruises there as if he’s remembering the same thing.
‘Ok,’ I murmur, and he nods.
No one talks as we drive. The privacy screen between us and the driver is up the whole time, but no one says another word.
I shift uncomfortably, trying to pull down my dress that I’m a thousand percent sure I can feel rising up to my waist with every movement I make. I know they’re looking at me too, but I stare down at the floor, not letting my eyes drift higher than their calves as they all take up as much space as they possibly can. I thought limos were meant to be huge, but with five guys all over six foot and broad as hell packed in here, this might as well be a hot box.
I feel the pressure that comes from Vic when he’s angry and I must flinch or something because Theo says something to him above my head that I don’t catch, and the pressure goes away. I curl my arms around myself and draw myself in closer. I’m not brave right now; not in the presence of all five of them at once.
I can't believe I've signed my life away to them for three years. Holy shit! What I've done is finally sinking in and my stomach is rolling. I stare out the tinted windows. I’m only just able to see the shadows of the trees that line the road if I strain past the glare from the little strips of light that decorate the panels around the limo’s interior.
I swallow hard, feeling hot and light-headed. Sweat beads at the small of my back and I take a shallow breath. My stomach pitches and I glance at Theo.
‘Stop the car.’ It comes out too low.
‘What did you say?’ Theo asks.
‘Stop the car!’
One of them knocks on the glass and the car slows. I’m scrambling over Theo and throwing the door open before the car stops, just in time to throw up all over the asphalt.
I heave a couple of times, but the sandwich was the only thing I ate and that’s all over the road now. There’s nothing else in my stomach. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. Shit. At least I didn't vomit all over myself or one of the guys.
I slide back over Theo and into my seat, wondering if I should feel more humiliated that I threw up in front of them all or because they probably all just saw my bare ass as I was hurling.
‘Are you done?’ he asks, and I nod.
‘Yeah. Sorry.’
Theo closes the door. I take a shaky breath and Vic is holding a glass in front of me.
‘It's water.’
I take it from his hand gratefully, being extra careful not to touch him at all.
‘Are you okay?’ murmurs Theo as the car starts to move again and it’s on the tip of my tongue to ask him why he gives a flying fuck if I'm okay or not. But then I guess I'm their property now. They have a vested interest in my well-being. Can’t feed from me if I’m too sick. Or maybe they can. I have no idea. Maybe he just doesn’t want me to vom all over his pretty suit.
‘I'm fine,’ I say.
I sip the water. It's nice and cold and it takes the sour, stomach acid taste out of my mouth.
The rest of the car journey goes by in silence. None of them are looking at me now, probably disgusted at my human display, I think, and I have to force my lips not to twitch when I think about how they definitely weren’t expectingtheir foodto upchuckher food.
My stomach has settled now that it’s empty, and I can hear Theo and Vic’s phones alternately vibrating. They’re having a text conversation with each other beside me. I try not to be paranoid, but …
We start going past buildings and other cars and a glance out the window confirms that we’ve re-entered civilization. It’s a busy street with bright lights and neon signs and lively music coming from more than one bar.
The limo stops and Vic opens his door. The sounds of the street flood in, but the noises are pleasant, not grating. I give Theo a questioning look.
‘Am I supposed to go too?’
