Page 59 of Crave
“Angelica.” He murmured.
The sound of my name on his lips sent shivers along my spine. He stepped around me and waited for me to meet his stare, commanding my attention. “Owned.” I whispered. “Daughter.”
That’s right.The man in my nightmares murmured. He stepped away, heading to the door of that room.You are owned.
I was fixed on the moment, reliving the way my pulse thundered and my breath caught.
Inside my head, hinges squealed as the door swung inward. Goosebumps raced, leaving me to shiver and wrap my arms around myself. My fingers touched bare flesh. I looked down, seeing the white lace bodysuit I was forced to change into.
He wanted me in white.
The faint crunch of boots drew me away from that memory. I shivered but I wasn’t cold. Not anymore. Soft warmth covered me.
“Get the door.” Silas commanded.
The sound of a car door opening followed and the heady scent of rich leather filled my nose. I closed my eyes and lowered until I hit the seat. I wanted to climb back out of that car and race back inside to the safety of my room. But I couldn’t move. Even if I did, my room was no longer the salvation it was before.
I couldn’t escape the demons in my head…or the ones I lived with.
I’m not going to force you, Angelica. He said in my head, drawing me back to that first moment I stepped into that room. But you want to obey me, don’t you?
OBEY.
OWNED.
Thud!
I jumped, knowing it was the car door that closed. Still, I couldn’t pull out of the illusion of that place in my head. No matter how hard I fought, I couldn’t shake the memory of that place free. It was always in the back of my mind, just one whisper away.
The faint sound of a car’s engine rose. I could hear my brothers talking, their raised voices making me panicked. But I wasn’t invested in what they had to say. How could I be?
Angelica. That look, throbbing murmur drew me back to him as he stood outside the open door. Are you going to obey?
OBEY.
The word made me shudder. I couldn’t fight him. Not that deep throbbing command. My feet were moving before I knew my movements took me closer to that room. I lifted my head as I slowly passed. Still, I couldn’t see him. His features were nothing but a blur. A monster without a face.
Inside.He commanded.
I turned my focus to that room and stepped inside.
The door closed softly. But I held my breath.
You know what happens now? His voice resounded all around me.
We begin training?
Good…good girl. And what is the first thing we do when we train?
Establish the balance of power.
Yes. Very good. Tell me, Angelica. Who has the upper hand here?
A shiver coursed through me. You do.
You will obey my every command, won’t you?He stepped closer, stopping at my back.Even if it causes you pain and it will cause you pain.
I swallowed hard, trying to fight that clenched ache in the pit of my stomach. It would cause me pain. I knew that. Because this betrayal wasn’t just mine, was it?
