Page 7 of Heirs of Havoc

There has to be a way out.

Things become clearer as the fuzziness fades, but the room I’m in is nowhere close to freedom. The stone walls remind me of a dungeon and the paddles, whips and chains lining one wall only add to that image. So does the metal cage hanging from the ceiling, and the leather swing with chains. A pile of rope sits in a black chest next to ... a cross?

What the hell is this place?

Black balloons and streamers decorate the rest of the space. They give this gloomy cell a celebratory vibe, but it confuses me more.

“I’d appreciate it if you kept this between you and Milo,” Vlad says.

“Why? Is this about power?” Lucie asks. “Are you trying to prove yourselves? I’m in charge, Vlad. If you want to talk about power dynamics, come to me. You guys can’t be this reckless.” I don’t think the twins know how to be anything but.

“It’s not about power,” Vlad confirms.

“Isn’t it always?” Milo pulls a gold-tipped cigarette to his mouth.

“She’s nothing more than a golden ticket.” Lev’s words pierce my heart, but after everything, I can’t say I’m surprised. This day was a long time coming and with my past coming to haunt me, these two were the furthest things from my mind.

I fucked up.

“Revenge?” Milo asks, tobacco filling the air.

“Something like that,” Vlad responds.

“And this has nothing to do with the way you guys look at her?” My eyes flick to them and I hate that I care about their answer. As far as I know, the only look in their eyes is disdain. Hatred. “Because I saw—”

“Strictly business, ‘Cuz.” Vlad sneers at me over his shoulder. “Believe me. Now, can you guys give us a moment? We’ll be up in a second.” The sound of a crying baby comes from Lucie’s pocket before she pulls out a white device. A baby monitor.

Her shoulders drop. “This is a church. Not a slaughterhouse.” Her brown eyes catch mine. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

So we are in the church. But where? The basement? This place is massive, but I thought I’ve explored most of it by now.

“That’s a tall order, ‘Cuz,” Lev chuckles as Lucie moves towards the door. “But we’ll do our best.”

Wait. No, no, no. Don’t leave me with these two!

Lucie walks by with a firm nod when my eyes lock on hers. Milo follows behind her. Not one glance my way.

Thud.

Hell …

“It’s just you and us, M&M.” Lev and his brother approach me, their wide bodies hovering over where I lay. “Let’s get this party started, huh?” Hands scoop under me before I’m lifted off the ground like a bundle of hay. The room spins, my stomach flipping before I’m slammed into something soft.

The rope around my body loosens, my skin sore when it does, and that’s all it takes for me to lunge for freedom. My legs shake when I stand, but one hard shove pushes me back.

“No, stay, I insist.” Vlad straddles me, the weight of his muscular body pushing me into the chair. “It’s our birthday, don’t you know?” Explains the balloons, but it doesn’t explain the array of equipment around me. “It’s time for our gift.” His crotch pushes into my stomach as he pulls my hands behind my back. That same rope wraps around my chest again, restraining me against the chair.

Cold hands reach for my ankle and again, I’m at their mercy.

The more I wiggle, the harder Vlad’s crotch grows against me. So why do I keep fighting? I’m so weak, it’s no use. I’m theirs. All theirs.

They both back away, looking at me with their arms crossed. Pounds of muscle match the pounds of hatred on their faces.

And I know why.

Lifting my head, my coils fall over my face as I meet their glare with one of my own but this gag stops me from giving them a piece of my mind. Or screaming for help.

“Don’t look so mad, Merlo,” Vlad chides, his eyes roaming my bound body. “The fun’s only started.” That ringtone chimes again, this time from Lev.

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