Page 19 of Drama Queen

I leap to my feet and chase her deeper into the woods.

Nine

ECHO

I take off again,knowing that Niki is so close I can almost feel his breaths on the back of my neck. I pull the knife out, knowing I’m going to need it if I’m to escape again.

I can still taste Niki on my tongue, still feel his dick at the back of my throat and that knife he used in my ass… I clench at the wickedness of it. I feel empty and I know it’s only a matter of time before Niki reaches me, but I’m not going down without a fight.

I cast a glance over my shoulder and run slap bang into something solid. Hands grab my shoulders, holding me steady.

“Hello, pet.”

Maxim looks down at me with triumph in his eyes. A twig snaps behind him, and I see Angel step out of the shadows and rest his chin on Maxim’s shoulder.

Well, fuck.

“Hello Echo,” Angel says with a salacious grin, and I suddenly miss the warm one he’d been using before. The guy looks a little unhinged.

Footsteps halt behind me and I know without even turning around that I’m surrounded.

“Hello boys,” I say with a slow smile. “Fancy meeting you all the way out here.”

“You’ve lasted longer than I thought you would,” Maxim says as he takes a step closer.

I tighten my grip on my knife and slide one foot backwards, adjusting my balance so I’m ready. “I’m not finished yet.”

Maxim laughs as he comes to a stop inches from me. He stills and just stares at me and my heart beats frantically in my chest. Just knowing he can feel it, that he’senjoyingmy fear, has my core clenching with pure fucking need.

His hand shoots out and grabs my throat. I react instantly, slicing the edge of the blade across his forearm.

He hisses as he pulls his hand back and I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face.

“Careful,” I sing while readjusting my stance, expecting him to attack again.

“Oh, pet. You’ll pay for that.” His dark eyes narrow and I know I need to move. Staying here will definitely end with me screaming. I’m just not sure if it will be in pain, or pleasure.

I hear Niki step closer and I move. I dart to the left, picking up the pace as I sprint through the trees.

I hear swear words and grumbles behind me and I smile as I run towards the sound of the river. I’m so close I can almost taste the freedom.

I burst through the woods into a wide open clearing and there, right in front of me is the river. The early morning light breaks beyond the horizon and soft hues of red and orange light up the sky.

“Echo!”

The sound of my name is closer than I want it to be and it spurs me to move again. The grass is soft under my feet and I’m almost there. My lungs burn with every breath, my feet stingfrom all the cuts and I finally make it to the edge of the riverbank when a fist grabs my hair and yanks me backwards.

I fall to the ground on my ass and find Maxim staring down at me, his dark eyes wild and his chest heaving.

“Got you, pet.” His voice is rough and husky, and I know this is it. This is the end.

I scramble backwards, turning over and trying to get to my feet but he grabs my ankle and drags me back.

I swing the knife blindly, snagging on something and hear his sharp hiss. He growls as he captures my wrist, slamming my hand into the ground.

“Fuck,” I yell, the knife falling from my fingers. I reach for it, but Maxim is quicker. He throws it out of reach and then flips me onto my back.

There’s another slice in his expensive silk shirt on his right pec and I inwardly congratulate myself. It’s short lived because he slams his hand over my mouth and nose. I can’t breathe. My screams are muffled when he kicks my legs apart and settles between my thighs.

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