Page 172 of Plaything

“One day,” I faintly heard Jamie’s whispering voice in the distance. “I’ll get that girl on my wall,” she continued, her voice getting smaller as we walked away from wherever she stood. “That was the closest thing I’ve seen to perfection,” was the last I heard. She sounded dumbstruck, as if she were in an art museum, staring at an authentic Vincent Van Gogh for the first time.

Everything around me was a blur. Even when I couldn’t hear music anymore, and I faintly heard Elliott and Aiden’s voices, Wyatt never stopped walking. Before I knew it, I was sat in the backseat of Wyatt’s truck. I winced as the leather seat touched my ass and looked up at him.

The first few buttons of his top were undone, and his shirt was wrinkled. His muscular chest peeked out from the undone shirt, and his sleeves were still rolled up, revealing his arms. His hair was slightly more messy than usual, leaving a few stray locks of sandy hair falling over his eyebrows.

“You’re hot,” I deadpanned. His lips turned up in a handsome grin, but for my own good, I didn’t let him speak. “Get away from me, incubus,” I gently pushed him away from the car with my foot.

A hearty laugh reached my ears as he held his hands up. “Incubus, huh?” He repeated as his laugh faded. “How are you feeling, Baby? Tired?”

“I’m dead,” I said sarcastically, giving a thumbs-up. I closed my eyes, feeling exhaustion begin to take over again.

The rest of the car doors opened, and I barely peeked my eyes open to see the rest of my Professors. Everyone took their seats, Aiden and Niko by my sides. Aiden shifted me so I wasn’t taking up the entire back seat and held me against his side with his arm around me.

Still shoeless, Niko massaged my feet, gently running his hands up my legs every so often.

The princess treatment would never get old. I loved being babied—especially after they treated me like a fucktoy. It was romantic (or at least I thought so). I was happily sedated and ready for cuddles and a long night’s sleep.

We were halfway home, and I was staring at Aiden’s arm, gently touching and playing with his arm hair. I ran my fingers over it, making it stick up, then again in the opposite direction, making it lay flat. His other hand was running through my hair. I had no thoughts, I was just happy.

Leaning down, he placed a small kiss against my temple. “You looked stunning tonight, Honey,” he complimented.

Honey.

I felt like my body was decaying from the inside out as a dreadful feeling crept up my spine. The discomfort started in my stomach and spread through me. I didn’t feel so good all of a sudden.

“That’s right, sit down Honey. Your dad will be back soon. Just sit still and look pretty.” I shut my eyes as the voice echoed through my head.

Don’t do this right now, Odette. You’re fine, you’re happy, everything’s okay. Don’t ruin this.

“There she is! Come on in, Honey. Gentlemen, this is Charles’ daughter—the one I’ve mentioned.”

“That’s enough, Lestat. This has gone too far.”

“How about you go get another bottle of scotch while I introduce her to your new partners?”

“No. I can’t allow this any longer. You’ve had your fun, we’ve all profited from our partnership, her sleepwalking has gotten worse—I can’t...”

“That’s a shame; I know many of our new friends were planning on investing in your business. I suppose they can invest elsewhere.”

“This is the last time, Lestat. I mean it.”

“Isn’t it always?”

Stop! Their hands on me began to burn. I didn’t want to be touched. I slowly sat up, taking myself away from their hands as I sat in the middle seat.

I couldn’t stop the memories that demanded to flash through my thoughts.

“Odette?” Niko questioned my sudden withdrawal. “What’s wrong, Cariño?” He turned towards me and placed a hand on my knee. Aiden also shifted towards me, but I couldn’t focus. My heart was pounding against my ears.

I closed my eyes again, trying to get the thoughts to go away. I placed my palms over my eyes. Go away, go away, go away. You’re fine. Don’t do this.

He didn’t say a word as he approached me, but the disgust was written across his features. I couldn’t meet his eyes and looked at the floor. I saw the shadow of his arm before I felt the sharp sting on my cheek. I cried out, eyes welling with tears, my hands cupping my throbbing cheek. He slapped me? I knew he could be cruel, but I never expected him to hit me.

“Keep your fucking eyes open, Doll,” Aiden growled, placing his tip against my cheek, stretching my mouth full of him. His big hand slapped my convex cheek a few times, and I widened my eyes at the roughness. It didn’t hurt, but I wasn’t expecting it.

My body felt like it was caving in on itself. I knew the slaps weren’t comparable in the least. I knew my mind was playing tricks on me, but I couldn’t help the panic that settled in.

“Odette, tell us what’s going on; what are you thinking?” Aiden prompted.

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