Page 104 of The Pact

Suddenly, Damian’s pushing me into the wall and his hand is at my throat. Unlike last time, he isn’t gentle. Under any other circumstances, I might tremble or fear him. Right now, all I feel is heat and power and…desire. Fuck, I want him.

Damian’s fingers push just enough into the sides of my throat to hurt a little—a warning. My lids feel heavy and my lips part. I don’t try to hide that this is turning me on. I’m not sure why it does. This should scare me. Yet strangely, I trust him. I know Damian would never actually harm me.

“Those are dangerous words, princess. You’ve been testing my patience a lot lately. Are you looking for punishment?” His head tilts as he tries to figure me out.

Momentarily, I think about lying or not saying anything at all. But that won’t help me. I realize Damian can give me something I need. And not in the form of money or property.

“I want to feel like I’m not being pulled under, barely able to keep my head above water. I need to not feel empty. Make me feel something real…raw.” I’m practically begging.

For days, I’ve been shifting between numbness and drowning. Something else would be nice. I’ll take anything else.

Damian’s brows raise in surprise, but it’s quickly chased away.

My gaze drops to the ink on the hand that’s gripping me. His fingers are shaded in a way that gives a skeletal illusion. I admire the push of his veins against his skin. All I need is for him to give in, to kiss me. I want Damian to let go of all that irritating control.

He leans in close, so close that our lips nearly touch. The air between us feels charged with anticipation. I let out a soft whimper from both need and the increasing pressure around my neck.

“I haven’t decided if you’re ready for what I want to give you.” I close my eyes. I could cry at his denial of the one thing that might help me. His mouth brushes across my jaw until his breath tickles the shell of my ear. “But know this, princess, I do want to give it to you.”

Damian pulls away, dropping his hand. The numbness creeps back in. I turn and walk away, feeling cold and empty.

Coward.

What is he going to do? Chain me to the floor?

I grab my satchel, stuffing all of my things back inside. For a moment, I wonder if he’s crazy enough to keep me here by any means. Just in case, I close the front door quietly. Glancing up at the camera, I’m curious if he’s watching me. No, I don’t think he pays that much attention to it. Otherwise, he would’ve seen my ex coming in and out of the house.

Still pissed about Damian holding out on me, I mimic Gavin and throw a middle finger up to the camera.

Starting my truck, I quickly speed down the driveway towards the studio to talk to Cassie.

I slow as I approach the side of the building, but don’t see her car. Calling her is out of the question. She’ll know something’s up and I’ll chicken out. I drive to the only other place she might be.

Cassie’s house comes into view. I pull in next to her Lexus. I’ve rushed here and haven’t thought about what to say, besides the obvious. How much do I tell her? How is she going to react when she finds out how much I’ve withheld?

Walking up to her door, I realize this is a bad idea.

I’m debating on getting back into my truck when Cassie’s face appears. Damn doorbell camera.

“Is everything okay?” She’s staring at me with concern in her eyes. I don’t show up at her house unannounced. I hate I can’t tell her yes.

“Can I come in? I need to talk to you.” She opens the door all the way, so I can come in. I head to the living room.

Nothing’s changed much since I moved out. Her style is minimalistic, with shades of white and tan everywhere. Everything is in its proper place—not a speck of dust to be seen. It looks like a show home. That had been a point of contention when I lived here.

I respected her and Anthony’s need for organization, but my room slowly became a little messier than what Cass prefers.

At first, it didn’t seem to bother her much, she’d make off handed comments. Then it became a daily routine of her nudging me to make my room look as if no one used it. We were both relieved when I moved out.

I sit on her sofa and she offers me a drink. I accept, only because I need a few more moments. Although what’s happening isn’t directly my fault, I can already feel the judgment. The years of her telling me to leave Gavin. Lectures about him not deserving me. It’s all piled up between us in an unsaid “I told you so”.

On the wall, large canvases of Cassie and Anthony hang on the walls. Poses of them kissing, hugging, and laughing. Her perfect life, where nothing goes wrong.

I’m jealous.

When she brings me a glass of water and sits down across from me expectantly, I spill. There’s no point in dancing around the truth. “Someone broke into the studio last night.” I let that first part sink in, knowing she’ll need a minute to panic. “Damian installed security cameras in the waiting area after my bookings started getting screwed up. He checked the software and saw that someone was messing with them, but we weren’t entirely sure who.”

Cass abruptly holds up a hand. “Wait. You installed cameras and didn’t tell me?” The question throws me for a loop. I realize she probably feels like her privacy’s been invaded, similar to how Gavin invaded mine. I hadn’t thought to mention it and in all honesty, after they were installed, I’d forgotten about them until today.

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