Page 92 of Forever Mr Black

Bile swirls in my stomach, and I swallow it down. I can’t dwell on that. He’s dressed in black, and there’s a wild look in his eyes, which fires up my brain and tells my body to move quickly.

My gut’s telling me he’s not here to talk this time.

The next five seconds pass in slow motion. I go to dash back inside the apartment, but he’s far too quick. I barely make it back inside before he’s on me. The heavy weight of his body forces me into the wall. Panic sears through me, and I open my mouth to scream, but he clamps his hand over my mouth, silencing me.

I’m transported back to every other time he’s done this to me. I close my eyes to try and quiet the feeling of dread threatening to consume me. Of what he’s going to do next.

Calm down, Soph.

His mouth presses against my right ear. The reek of stale lager on his breath makes my stomach turn. “You need to keep quiet. Are you listening?”

If you freak out, he’s won.

I nod.

“You’ve driven me to this. It’s your fault. If you’d agreed to meet me in the first place, I wouldn’t have needed to do this.” His grip tightens around my mouth. “Now, I’m going to take my hand away, and you need to keep quiet because if you don’t …" Cold, hard metal presses into my throat. He’s got a fucking knife. “Do you understand?”

He’s insane. All I can do is nod.

Theo removes his hand from my mouth very slowly, like he doesn’t quite trust me.

I gulp down a lungful of air to quell my fear. His hand might be gone, but he’s still pressed against me.

Hot, acrid breath hits my cheek. “Now, what I want to do is drag you into the bedroom and fuck you in his bed.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and chew the inside of my cheek to stop my ready tears from falling.

I won’t let him see how he scares me. He’s not controlling me this time.

“But not yet. First, we’re going for a little ride,” he rasps into my ear.

My relief’s short-lived at the mention of him taking me somewhere.

I force my voice to remain even. “Where are we going?”

“None of your fucking business. Now, you need to walk out of this place with me like everything’s fine. Because if you don’t, if you kick off or try to run …” He presses the blade against the base of my throat, warning me. One slip, and I’m gone. “Do you understand?”

I’m scared to nod in case the blade pierces my throat.

“Say, Yes, Theo.”

I can hear the evil smile in his voice, proof of the sadistic kick he’s getting out of controlling me. Like he always did.

I fucking hate him.

“Yes, Theo.”

“Good girl.”

He shifts off me, allowing me to breathe easily for the first time. He roughly puts an arm around my waist and pulls me to his hip. “Just like old times,” he sneers.

I’m frogmarched downstairs. His clammy grip around my waist remaining vice-like.

Where’s he taking me?

Is Art okay?

Breathe. Stay calm. Think of a way to escape.

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