Page 36 of Unhinged

The dark-haired girl from the other cell whimpers in response.

Matias looks like he feeds off her fear, baring his teeth. “Which means we’ll train you to be good little sluts for your future owners.”

Alice knows all of this because I told her in Mexico City. I notice how her bottom lip trembles and her already pale complexion pales further. I haven’t got a plan. I rarely do. My motto is to act on instinct, as my instincts rarely steer me wrong.

Matias’ leer shifts toward Alice again, and I see pure terror flashing in her eyes. That twisted part of me enjoys her fear. It’s a sick thing to admit, but it’s the truth. However, I want to be the one who controls her fear and every emotion here on in. Seeing Matias scares her only makes me more possessive. I must keep my jealousy in check, or they’ll know something is up.

I walk forward, commanding the attention of the room. “Enough of the chit-chat. Let’s get on with the training.” I hope my interruption has veiled my concern for Alice, offering her a momentary respite from their predatory gazes.

My feelings must remain in darkness, buried under a ruthless facade, for her sake and mine.

Matias growls softly. “I don’t know what you’re doing here, Taren.”

I tilt my head. “A change of pace.”

Thiago rolls his eyes. “Fed up with warming Ileana’s bed?”

Hot anger flashes through me.

A flash of jealousy and confusion enters Alice’s sky-blue eyes. “Do you want me to cut your balls off?” I ask, walking forward and pulling my knife from my jacket pocket. “I’d happily show the girls what happens when you cross me.”

Thiago is a proud fucking idiot, but he backs down. He knows I have no issue resorting to violence. It’s my second language.He clears his throat. “Let’s get on with it. Strip, girls,” he demands.

The idea of these two fuckers seeing her naked makes my blood boil. However, there’s no avoiding it.

Alice’s eyes go wide at the request and she looks to me.

I clench my jaw and try to communicate through my eyes alone. I won’t let them hurt her. But, then, seeing her naked is unavoidable.

One girl sobs.

Matias rolls his eyes. “There’s always one.”

Ignoring Thiago’s comment, I turn to the trembling girls, fighting back my guilt. “Look at me,” I command, my voice sharp but not devoid of a twisted sense of compassion. They flinch at my tone but reluctantly raise their eyes toward me. “This isn’t a request. It’s a command. Do as we say, and it’ll be easier for all of us.”

The room fills with a tense silence. Alice’s gaze doesn’t waver from mine. I can see a glimmer of understanding. She knows I’m doing this to protect her, to keep her safe in this hellish situation.

“The first lesson is obedience,” I continue, “Always remember that.”

As the girls hesitantly undress, I keep a steady gaze on Alice, not out of desire, but to offer her an unspoken promise. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even if it means playing the villain for now.

The girls strip, but all of them stop at their underwear.

“Everything,” I demand.

Alice grinds her teeth, and the other girls all look reluctant.

“Now!” I growl.

They flinch and strip off their underwear. All of them try to hide themselves from us with their arms over their chests. And when I look at Alice, she’s glaring at me with betrayal in her eyes.

Oh, little bird. I thought you understood.

“Arms by your sides,” Thiago barks.

All of them reluctantly put their arms down. My cock turns stiff at the sight of Alice’s beautiful breasts and hard nipples. And the pure possessiveness that overwhelms me drives me insane when I see Thiago also admiring them.

Shit.

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