Page 73 of The Boy I Loved
My teeth scraped together, rage punching through my chest with a vigorous ferocity. “I can’t stop you,” I replied, attempting to keep the edge from my tone. Maybe if I pretended I didn’t give a shit, he’d lay off.
He arched an eyebrow, silently challenging me. “That so?”
“It’s what I said, isn’t it?”
A snort of amusement left him, his eyes narrowing like he didn’t quite believe me. Mason was too observant for his own good. He’d always been that way, and I was certain it had to do with the rough life he’d endured growing up. He never spoke of his mom, but I wascertain that his hatred for women stemmed there. Maybe his dad had led an awful example—who the fuck knew? He didn’t talk about him much either, other than to say how much of a piece of shit he was.
“Thought you said you’d kill me if I ever touched her again.” A glimmer of amusement swirled within his blue eyes, the corner of his lips tugging slightly.
I gritted my teeth, digging my nails into my palms more forcefully. “You touched her again already and you’re still breathing, aren’t you?”
Now, he was full on smiling. “Ah. So, youdidfind my little gift.” He took another drink, stretching his legs out before him. “You were right about her. She didn’t put up much of a fight. She kept trying to withhold her orgasm though. Even begged me to stop.” A malicious chuckle tumbled from his lips, his eyes glazing over like he was reliving the memory. “But fuck.” He groaned. “When she came … shecame.”
Picturing Hazel writhing on Mason’s lap as he plunged his fingers in and out of her tight pussy wasn’t what I wanted to think about. And yet, the image came to life, clouding most of my thoughts. She wasmine. She’d always been mine. But I couldn’t even fucking claim her, not if I wanted to keep her safe.
“Telling me this doesn’t have the effect you think it does,” I lied, somehow managing to keep my tone level. “If anything … thinking about it kind of turns me on.”
Mason scowled, annoyance flickering across his face. Before he could throw another retort my way, Emerson—Tristan’s main bitch—took a seat beside Mason, flicking her dark hair over one of her shoulders. She crossed one toned leg over the other before raking her gaze over Mason. She had a thing for blonds, it seemed.
“Bored?” Mason asked her, barely sparing her a glance.
“A little. Tristan’s on break outside and then he’s going on basement duty.”
My shoulders straightened, fear slamming into me. “Who else is on basement duty tonight?” I hedged.
Emerson shrugged. “Vincent and Rodney; I think.”
Rodney was new. I’d barely encountered him, and I hadn’t seen him take advantage of any of the girls yet, so that was something. I knew he had to have at some point, otherwise he wouldn’t be working here. Tristan and Vincent though …
Acid burned the back of my throat, rising and rising with the threat of exploding all over the place. I had to talk to Clay, to beg him to let Hazel out or at least to keep her safe,
“I’m taking a nap,” I grumbled.
I didn’t spare them a second glance before striding toward the elevator and taking it to the next floor. As soon as I reached Clay’s office door, I knocked my knuckles against the wood.
As usual, he took his sweet time opening it. He poked his head out, his gaze skimming over me briefly before he pushed the door open wider to allow me entry.
By the time I’d managed to close the door behind me, Clay was already sinking into his chair again. He spent most of his time up here, away from everyone else, or he hung out in the studio.
“I had a feeling you’d be knocking on my door sooner or later,” he commented with a heavy sigh. “Let me guess … this is about Hazel, correct?”
“Yes,” I admitted, not seeing any reason to beat around the bush. “A handful of the guys are targeting her. She isn’t built for this.” It was the truth. Hazel was soft and kind; she wouldn’t be able to push through something as traumatic as what these guys wanted to do to her
Clay grunted in response. “The guys always target fresh meat,” he reminded me. “And she’ll just have to adapt. If she doesn’t, she’ll be disposed of. That’s how things work around here, Dominic.”
A lump formed in the back of my throat. “I’m begging you. Just let her go. I’ll do whatever you want me to, butplease. Let her go.”
His expression was an unreadable mask, his cold gray eyes locking onto mine. “You’ll already do whatever I want.” He shrugged, the leather creaking beneath his weight. “And if you don’t, I’ll just have to have a little chat with Alice.” He arched an eyebrow as if to challenge me.
But I couldn’t. He wasn’t wrong. Clay already had me by the balls and he knew it. It didn’t matter that he’d taken Hazel, because my sister was still out there.
“Unless of course, you’d rather I trade Hazel out for Alice. I’m sure that could be arranged.”
My stomach dropped, defeat settling heavily over my limbs. I couldn’t choose Hazel over Alice. What would that say about me? I loved them equally but in different ways. Alice was my little sister; someone I loved and cherished. Hazel was more than that—a friend I wanted to fuck and consume until there was no part of her that didn’t end with me.
“Why her?” I demanded, tipping my chin. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me. I’ve done nothing but show my complete loyalty to you and the Cobras. So … whyher?” I didn’t care how pathetic I sounded. I’d drop to my knees and beg if it meant her safety. If it meant she’d be out of this place.
Clay was silent for a few moments, his eyes hardening further. He didn’t like to be questioned, and I rarely ever questioned him, but he owed me an explanation. “What was the first lesson I taught you?” he asked, swirling the amber liquid around in his glass before tipping it back and taking a slow drink.
