Page 11 of Claiming Charlotte

Sleep threatened to overtake me, and I fought it with all my might. The position I was in was torture in itself, and I hoped they wouldn’t leave me that way for much longer. I’d been suffering muscle spasms and cramps for some time, and I didn’t know how much more I could handle.

The wound on my inner thigh burned, and I was certain I still had fresh blood running down my leg. I couldn’t be sure, though, because I couldn’t see past my bare breasts. My tears had dried on my cheeks, mixing with the mascara that painted my face, and it felt sticky.

The only thing I could hear was my shallow, shaky breaths until the scrape of a shoe made its way toward me, and I raised my head to investigate. My eyelids were heavy and my vision blurred, but I could just barely make out Richard Walker’s form.

“Hello, Charlotte,” he said in a sultry tone.

My mouth was dry from the gag. I was ordered to keep it on unless Walker said differently and though I willed myself to speak, all that came out was a groan followed by a small whimper.

He laughed. “You’re still out of it, huh? Lacey said this new drug was a real whopper. Thanks for being our beautiful test subject.” he said, standing in front of me, reaching to the back of my head to unclasp the gag. At this moment, I was grateful for the minimal amount of hospitality.

“What do you want, Walker?” I whispered, licking my lips to try and convince my mouth to salivate again. His eyes took on a ghostly look and he took my face in his hands.

“Careful, Charlotte. If you keep licking your lips like that, I’ll have to do something about it,” he groaned.

My eyes widened, and the thought of that sick man touching me again made me nauseous.

“Don’t touch me,” I snarled, pulling my face out of his hands.

He took a reluctant step back and his hands returned to his pockets. “This can all go away, Charlotte. All you have to do is give up your place at the head of the family. I’ll make sure you’re kept safe for the rest of your life if you cede everything to me.”

A look of disgust fell heavy on my face and I shook my head. “And give up everything my father worked hard for? Go to hell. You make me sick,” I spat.

Richard smiled sweetly and stepped close again.

“Oh, Charlotte. You are so much like your father, not so easily broken,” he said. “It makes me wonder how you ended up with someone like Rowan. Such a weak mind he has.”

Richard’s breath was hot on my face, and I turned my head away from him as his hands wandered over my stomach, my hips, my back. He pulled me into him, and I could feel him harden against my pubic bone.

“Get off me,” I gritted my teeth. “Rowan is twice the man you will ever be.”

His hands swept gently over my skin, causing goosebumps to form as he fondled my breasts, pulling, pinching, and leaning down to take one in his mouth, biting down harshly.

“So sad the children have to pay for the sins of their parents, Charlotte, isn't it?”

What does he mean by that? He tipped my chin up to meet his eyes, running his thumb gently over my jawbone.

“Are you going to be a good girl?” he asked.

Before I could speak, he forced four of his fingers into my mouth and down my throat. I gagged, trying desperately to expel them from me, but he only held them there longer. Vomit rose and spilled out of my mouth, running down my body. I was disgusted with myself; I couldn't stop it. As I choked, I considered giving in to his demands to save myself from further assault.

Giving up my family name had to be less of a torture than what the old man wanted to take from me. But I had to hold strong. Lacey tried to break me, and I held out for that, too. Walker released me and I gasped for breath.

“Dirty girl…The other option, Charlotte, is for you and Rowan to die,” he said, wiping his vomit-covered?fingers on his pant leg.

“I’ll take that over what you’re suggesting any day,” I wheezed.

Walker shrugged. “That’s fine by me. I’ll take you over what I suggested every single day for the rest of your life,” he chuckled, waving a hand at the door.

Someone came in approaching us with a phone held out and I watched as a video of Rowan appeared on the screen. He was being hurt by his best friend. I couldn't even begin to imagine how he was feeling right now. As much as I wanted to be there for him, I had to focus on saving myself.

Walker snatched the phone and held it up close to my face so I could watch. Rowan hung his head low as a whip lashed across his back, and a few times it reached around, licking his ribcage. My mouth hung open horrified seeing his blood drip from the ends of the leather. Tears stung my eyes as I watched the love of my life gasp and grunt in pain.

“Stop!” I cried, closing my eyes.

“Rowan belongs to me, and I’ll only stop when you comply, Charlotte. Do you really want to be the reason he suffers? Be rational,” he replied.

I opened my eyes and spit in his face. “Fuck off,” I growled, kicking him in the shin despite the protests of my shoulders.

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