Page 27 of The Prey

“Why don’t you show us then? Everyone knows a man who takes a woman as his property must train her well in all areas.” Yanov’s gaze slides over Ely, oily and full of hidden intent. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s speaking from his own twisted agenda, that he’s always meant to “train” Ely in whatever fucked up ways he deems suitable. “He knows she will do as she is told, no matter what. No matter where. No matter with whom. So prove it.”

I’m Sebastian Arturo. Powerful. Successful. A king among peasants. I have nothing to prove to this fuckhead, or anyone else in the room, but that doesn’t matter.

Not when he challenges me the way he is right now. Sure, I could turn him down, but it would be viewed as a sign of weakness. One fuckup. That’s all it takes for someone to think they can take you on. I may hate my position as the head of the family and want to do nothing more than abandon it, but looking weak is not an option as long as I’m in control. After all, image is everything, and weakness is blood in the water. It’ll get you stepped on. It’ll get you killed.

I look down at Elyse, and I know she’s not going to be happy with my next words. I remind myself that it doesn’t matter; not if I can get us both out of here without making a scene.

“As you wish.” I growl in resentment.

I give Ely’s hip a squeeze, drawing her attention to me. She peers up at me through thick lashes, and I see both fear and hope brewing in her icy blue depths. I don’t have the heart to tell her there is no saving us. If she wants to survive she’ll have to fight for it.

“Get on your knees, Ely. Show them who you belong to.”

12

Elyse

Did he just tell me to get on my knees?

I’m fairly certain I’m hearing things, so I hesitate a second longer than necessary but then he releases me and pulls away, leaving me without the protection of his body.

“Ely, I will not ask you again.” His commanding tone is dark and tempts me to disobey just to see what he might do if I don’t listen, but with Yanov lingering so close I don’t have the luxury of teasing. Or of getting out of this.

And then there’s his friend…Sid-something? His gaze makes me feel like ants are crawling over my skin, and something unpleasant lingers on the edge of my mind. An instinct that tells me never to be caught alone with him.

My legs wobble like towers of jelly while I try to navigate to my knees without toppling over. Using my hands, I lower myself to the ground, pressing my palms to the sticky, cold concrete to help balance myself. By the time my legs touch the bare concrete, I’m dizzy and afraid I might vomit all over the floor.

It’s this or Yanov; choose the lesser of the two. Getting away from Yanov was the only good thing about my father selling me off to pay his debts to the Arturo family. I had hoped I would never see the man again, but like all things in life, I never get what I want. My entire body shakes, and goose bumps crawl up my arms.

The cold concrete beneath me isn’t helping matters.

What is Sebastian going to do to me?

I don’t see him forcing me to have sex. Yes, he lacks morals, but I know he doesn’t want me, not like that. He may give me a lingering look or two but nothing has ever happened between us.

Well, not until today.

He can barely stand to be in my presence. So what’s the plan, then? Uncertainty coats my insides, but I remind myself that it doesn’t matter. I’ll do whatever he asks of me so long as he doesn’t let him touch me or take me.

I cast my gaze to the floor, not daring to look at Yanov for fear that he might take it as an invitation, and if he touches me again, I will absolutely lose it. Sebastian takes a step toward me.

I know this because the tips of his expensive leather shoes appear in my line of vision. His unique sea-salt scent fills my nostrils, and I nearly gasp when his warm fingertips graze my chin. With minimal effort, he tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. His pretty green eyes twinkle in the light, and I sink into their depths, becoming almost mesmerized. How can someone so cruel and heartless be so beautiful and tempting at the same time?

“Are you my property, El...Little Prey?”

I inhale sharply as awareness arcs between us. For the first time, he understands the ugliness of that name; he realizes that’s what Yanov and my father always called me. Gratitude spears through me that he's calling me something else. I’m not sure he'll continue with the nickname after tonight, but right now I appreciate the tiny gesture.

My tongue feels heavy in my mouth, but I force the word out. “Yes.”

Cocking his head to the side, he eyes me curiously, and there's something soft in his eyes, even as his shoulders are set tight and rigid. “Are you sure? Because this asshole doesn’t seem to believe me. I think he needs a visual since his ears aren’t working all that well.”

I swear I hear someone snort, maybe in laughter, maybe in derision—I don’t know. I’m trapped in this dark trance that Sebastian put me in, and strangely I don’t want to leave.

“What do you want me to do?” I ask.

When he speaks, his voice is soft, coaxing. “Be a good girl and crawl over to the red chair. I’ll be following you.”

The connection between us flickers out when his fingers slip from my chin. For one moment, I hesitate, wondering if there is another way out of all of this, but as soon as I consider the idea, I shove it away. I don’t know what I’m doing. I need to let Sebastian lead to get us the fuck out of this situation and to save myself.

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