Page 40 of Unhinged

He slams it shut and locks it. And then, he leads me further into the gloom, away from the comforting whispers of my friends.

I clench my fists, anger bubbling deep within. Taren didn’t prepare me for the shit we had to endure today, and I sense it was only the beginning.

He pulls me close, the firm grip of his hand on my arm contrasting with the warmth I once felt. “Let me explain,” he starts.

I pull my arm away, the spark of anger igniting into flames. “What the hell was that, Taren?” I spit out. “You may not be able to save me from the training, but I didn’t expect you to be the fucking psycho doling it out.”

He bares his teeth. “You’re angry? I saved you from certain rape by Thiago and Matias.” He tilts his head. “And you’re fucking angry?” He paces. “Little bird, they would have raped each of you at least once today. Hell, they’d do it regularly. But I’m a buffer.” His dark eyes are full of dangerous rage as he looks at me. “I don’t want them looking at you. I want to be the only man to ever see you naked again.” He marches toward me and wraps his hand around my throat, squeezing. “But I’ve got no choice.”

His words ignite a wild fury within me. “No choice?” I clench my fists. “You always have a choice.” His grip tightens around my throat as his eyes burn into mine. “You could choose to let us go!”

A cruel smirk twists his lips. “Why would I do that, Alice?”

I swallow hard. “Why wouldn’t you? You said you’re going to save me and my friends.”

“Yes. But I want you at the end of it, understood? I can’t let you go because you belong to me.”

I grind my teeth. “Then find me after, away from here,” I suggest.

“If only it were that simple. Do you know how many security cameras Ileana has on the property?”

I shake my head.

“Six hundred and fifteen.” He shrugs. “She’s paranoid. And it’s physically impossible for me to get you and your friends out of here without being seen on them. And that’s not to mention the hundreds of guards patrolling the grounds and exits.”

My shoulders slump.

“And so if I somehow managed to get you four out of here and safe. I would be giving myself a death sentence. Ileana wouldn’t be lenient with me.”

I sink my teeth into my bottom lip. “Why did that guy say you warm her bed?”

His expression hardens. “It’s complicated.”

“Is she your girlfriend?”

I scrunch my face up. “No, Ileana has brought me up since I was eight.”

He told me he was eight when his house was burned down. “Since your house was destroyed?”

He nods.

“Did she do it?”

He doesn’t answer; he merely stares at me blankly.

“Did she kill your family?” I ask.

His eyes shut, and his jaw clenches hard. “Yes.”

“And she took you?”

He nods in response, nostrils flaring. “Yes.”

It makes even less sense now. Why the fuck would a woman who raised him want her in his bed? That’s sick.

“And she makes you sleep with her?” I confirm.

“Enough,” he growls, squeezing harder. “I came to see you because I can’t keep away. Because I can’t have you thinking I’m the monster. I need you to understand. I need you to know I wouldn’t do this if I had a choice.”

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