Page 12 of Better Run
A cop? This man was a cop? They get to cleaning my cut methodically, like they’ve done it before.
Dread pools in my stomach. I’m so fucked. I am so fucked. I was counting on the cops to find me. Are they still his buddies? Would they turn a blind eye?
I don’t realize I’m hyperventilating until Cole pats my knee. “All done. For now, we’ll hold off on the stitches and see how it heals. This is why you don’t go running without shoes, even if the big bad wolf comes to your door.” He winks and leans into me, whispering, “But I’ll chase you anytime.”
I shiver. Jayden never gave me shoes. I start to say something, but Jayden stands and swoops me up, bridal style. I’m so surprised I grip his shirt. His smell of musk and oil overwhelms me. He carries me into my room and lays me on the bed. “Punishment later. For now, rest.” He cuffs me and leaves the room, shutting the door.
I roll to my side, all fight gone. My body tries again to flip between the feelings of arousal and hate and confusion and panic. It’s a dizzying cycle. A sudden wave of defeat rolls through me. I’m so tired.
Fuck Jayden. And fuck Cole too. How dare they steal me from my life, friends, and everything I know? I miss Carissa, I miss Kyle, I miss my house, I miss my goddamn bed. They’ll be sick with worry. Kyle probably thinks I’m dead. I might be soon. I wonder if I’ll make one of those Dateline shows. Man stalks social media influencer, kidnaps and kills her. The media would have a hay day.
I let myself wallow in self-pity until I fall asleep.
***
I open my eyes. My foot throbs like a bitch, and anger rolls through me again, the emotion an old friend at this point. I welcome it like a mother hen, pushing away all the other things I felt last night. Anger is good. Anger will keep me safe. Will keep me alive.
My door opens, and Jayden comes in and gives me a disgusted look.
Game on, motherfucker.
He lets me use the bathroom. When I emerge into the hallway, he and Cole sit on stools at the kitchen island, eating. It smells like bacon and my mouth waters. I begin limping that way, but Jayden cuts me a blistering look.
“Walking is for good girls who don’t break the rules. On your knees.”
I freeze, glaring at him. We stare at each other. He drums his finger on the table. “Don’t make me ask again, kitten.”
“I’m not a kitten. I’m a human being.”
Cole looks over at me. Jayden’s gaze darkens. “Would you prefer I call you pet? Put a collar on that pretty little neck? Yank you around by a leash?”
“I’m not normally into pet play.” Cole has stopped eating and is watching me closely. “But her skin would pinken nicely with a little correction, wouldn’t it?”
I curl my lip and slowly get on my knees.
Cole turns to Jayden. “Not house-trained yet, I see?”
Jayden grunts, “She has the manners of a feral cat.”
They go back to eating. I glare at both of them. Cole winks at me.
“Crawl,” Jayden demands.
“What?” I growl.
“Crawl.” He leans back with a satisfied look on his face.
My face burns. Fuck this goddamned fucker. I cuss him out in my head as I drop to my hands and begin crawling. The skin between my bones and the floor is thin. The room goes deadly silent.
I look up.
Both men have stopped what they’re doing and are staring at me with raw hunger in their eyes. It makes the blood rush to my core.
Fuck. I didn’t want to like this. I couldn’t like this. I lick my lips against my dry mouth.
There’s the telltale click of a picture being taken. Jayden has a phone out and looks at me with cruel, cold eyes.
I get to the legs of the table and move to stand. Jayden growls, “Did I tell you to get up? You’ll stay on your knees in front of me until I say to move.”
