Page 9 of The Prey

“No ‘hello,’ or ‘how are you?’” She bats her long lashes at me. “I’m actually a little hurt that you don’t want to know how I’m doing. Meanwhile, you’re seducing one of the employees in your bedroom. Really, Sebastian. What on earth were you thinking? Can you imagine the scandal? Please, tell me, why did she have her shirt off?” There’s a hint of suspicion in her question and tone.

“It’s none of your fucking business; now get out,” I snap but immediately regret it.

Her eyes flash with murderous rage, and she closes the distance between us in remarkable time, given her four-inch stiletto heels. Honestly, I should anticipate her attack. I’m not sure why I don’t. Her fingers ghost against the flesh of my cheek, and I flinch.

It’s a small movement, inconspicuous unless you’re looking for it, but it’s all the victory she needs. Sinking her fingers into my skin a little deeper, she gently drags her nails down the side of my face. To the casual observer, it would look like a caress. A motherly one. Only we know otherwise.

“Watch your tone when you speak to me, Sebastian. You might be the big bad overseer of the family, but everyone has a weakness if you dig deep enough. Don’t make me expose yours.”

“I don’t have any weaknesses,” I growl.

“Oh really?” She cocks her head to the side. “Bel isn’t a weakness? What about the little maid?”

“Elyse is nothing to you, and neither is Bel. I won’t warn you again, Tanya. If you fuck with me, I will fuck you back, and it won’t end how you want it to.”

“Are you flirting with me?” There’s a hint of humor in her voice.

Of course she thinks this is a fucking game. Everything is a game to her.

No matter what, she'll never win against me again. With Bel in the picture, I have something to live for, something to fight for, and I won’t let Tanya’s bitterness bleed off into her. Bel’s an innocent, and I refuse to let the dirty dealings of this family touch her.

“Only you would think this is a game.”

“Isn’t it?” She leans into my face, her lips curling in a smile. “It’s been so long since we played, Sebby. Why don’t you bend me over the desk and teach me a lesson?”

My gut churns, the contents of my stomach threatening to climb up my throat. I’m transported back to a time when I was too stupid and weak to say no. Too naive and dumb to fight back. I can feel that weak little boy, the one who always feared her, the one who still fears her in so many ways, threatening to crumble.

You’re stronger than this.

You’re stronger than her.

You’re stronger now.

I repeat the mantra over and over again in my head, waiting until I believe the words.

“Come on, Sebby. Don’t you want to play?” She taunts me, her breath caressing my ear. Beads of sweat collect against the collar of my shirt. I can feel the ghost of her lips against my cheek as she moves her head.

“Oh fuck. Who knew you could fuck better than your father?” She pants in my ear while shoving her fake tits in my face.

Even as I fight against the pleasure building low in my belly, I know I won’t be able to escape it. The orgasm is inevitable.

“Yes! Your cock feels so good inside me. So good, Sebby. I want you to fill me with your cum.” Her voice rains down on me, drops of acid falling from the sky.

“Sebby….where did you go?”

“Nowhere. Now leave. I don’t want shit from you,” I snap.

I know I could push her hand away, and I want to so I don’t have to spend the next hour scrubbing my skin raw, but I don’t. I won’t give her the satisfaction of knowing she affects me. My mind wanders again, and I slip into a dark space where no one can reach me, all while pasting on the bored expression that gets me through dealing with her and all the others like her. It might not be today or even tomorrow, but eventually, she will learn her place. Even if I have to beat it into her head, she’ll come to understand she no longer owns me.

Her lips form a pout. “That makes me very sad.”

I’m sure it does. I barely stop myself from rolling my eyes.

“I’d prefer if you stop with the riddles and tell me what you really want. Why are you here?” My flat tone is devoid of the emotion she loves to draw out of me.

“Fine. I’m sorry. I just wanted to know what was going on at home. That’s all.”

Her toxic scent of raspberry and Chanel No. 5 fills my senses, and I nearly gag on air as I suck a ragged breath into my lungs. Memories continue to assault me, threatening to drag me back down into the abyss.

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