Page 77 of Fire Fight

I see the flash of recognition in his eyes. We were a low-income neighbourhood, and they offered half-price prescriptions; everyone used them.

“And who is Madelaine Summers?”

“I don’t know.”

His fingers clamp tightly on my hair, giving a sharp tug. “That’s not a good enough answer.”

“But I don’t.” My voice turns shrill, and I wince, but continue, needing him to believe me so we can get past this. “When customers don’t pick up their prescriptions, the chemist sells them.”

“Right.” He gives a dismissive laugh. “And you paid him with what? We both know you’ve never had money.”

Indignation burns through me.

I had money. The cash it took me months to save and mere seconds for Drake to donate from my phone.

But I bite down on the retort, understanding what he means. “I paid him in other ways.”

I try to sound mysterious, and he bursts into snide laughter. “Oh, did you, virgin girl?” Drake shakes his head, lips crinkled with mirth. “Doesn’t seem likely.”

“I blew him not the… not the other.”

But his laughter grows stronger. “Sure. How about you demonstrate exactly how that went, hm?”

He pulls out his knife again and before I have time to gasp, leans forward and cuts the tape binding me to the steering column, untangling my bra and tossing it into the bucket seat.

My shoulders give another protest as I move my hands in front, massaging my wrists and pulling off the wrinkled tape. Drake leans forward, gently taking hold and rubbing his thumb across the bruise his father’s pinch left on my skin.

His concerned eyes search mine for a second, then he shakes his head, releasing my arm.

“Go on. One demonstration and I’ll leave you alone.” I try to clamber from his lap, but he holds my hips steady. “Do you want me to sit or stand or lie down?”

“I’m not—”

He pulls my head beside his, warm breath puffing across my ear. “Are you going to get on your knees in the dirt for me?”

I shove him, hard, and he releases me, letting me shuffle into the passenger seat. “You have nothing I want.”

“Oh, really.” He arches an eyebrow and lets his gaze slowly wander across my bared breasts, dropping to where my dress is hiked above my thighs. “Are you sure about that?”

With a wide smirk, he sucks his middle finger into his mouth, wrapping his tongue around it, smacking his lips together when he’s done.

And his grin grows broader. “It tastes like you wanted plenty.”

I ignore him, cheeks flaming, I pull my dress together, buttoning and fastening what I can before pulling on my seat belt and folding my arms. “Now what?”

“Now I take you home and you can spend the night thinking of all the things you wanted me to do to you.”

My eyes smoulder as they meet his. “I meant about the pharmacist.”

He pulls some straggling bits of tape from the wheel, not providing an answer as he starts the car and drives us home, the rumble of the garage door rollers ominous in the dark night.

When I get out of the vehicle, it’s like a million years have passed since I left to go to the game.

Drake blocks me when I head for the front door, trailing a finger down the side of my neck, then pressing his palm against my breast.

“These are mine.” His voice is soft, but with a backbone of steel. “No one is allowed near them. You can do as you want but if another boy touches your tits, I’ll break his arm. Understand?”

My heart beats harder with every possessive word. “I understand you’re fucking crazy.”

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