Page 68 of The Masks She Wore

?With a snarl, I continued to the kitchen, made a pot of coffee, ordered in some food, and headed for the television. I paused when I saw a note taped to the front of it.

?I walked over and ripped it off, reading it quickly.

What it means to be claimed:

?You are safe from everyone but me.

?I can use you however I want, whenever I want.

?You don’t have to like it, you’ll learn to.

?You are protected. That is my job, to protect you, whatever the cost.

?You’ve signed your life away to me, Princess. You are my pet, my slave, my toy. You are mine in every sense of the word. Accept it. If you don’t, that’s on you not on me. Your willingness changes nothing.

?I frowned, but there was a part of me that fluttered at the thought.

?I was safe from all but him. So, maybe Max wouldn’t have been able to get in. Maybe there were precautions keeping anyone from being able to break in. Maybe, no matter what happened, I was safe from everyone but Jack Ashrin.

?I didn’t know how much that promise meant with him being away, but it did bring some sort of comfort, even if I couldn’t look at that bookshelf at the moment.

?I had just gotten into the rhythm of scrolling through the trash movies when my phone dinged again.

?With a huff, I lifted it.

Unknown:Drink some water

?I rolledmy eyes and tossed the phone to the other side of the couch. If he was on ‘assignment’ how did he have the time to text me?

?I paused and looked down, realizing I was wearing different clothes than I had been when I got out of the shower on the 2nd. In fact, the blood had been cleaned from my chest and my back didn’t hurt as badly as it had before.

?I stared at the clothes I was wearing before lunging for the phone and texting him again.

Rae:Did you bathe me?

Unknown: And changed your sheets when you

made a mess. I also injected you with powerful

painkillers. Your back should be just

about healed by now.

Unknown: You’re welcome

?I gaped, my face blazing bright red as I slid my hand over my stomach, concentrating on my bladder. No. Oh my God.No!

Unknown:Don’t be embarrassed, Princess,

it’s happened to the best of us

?I slapped my hands over my face, curling over my knees, the humiliation overwhelming. This couldn’t be happening. He changed my bedsheets as if I were achild? God, that was so humiliating.

?My phone dinged again, and I didn’t even read it, I couldn’t. All I could do was send out one last text before I put my phone on silent.

Rae:Just leave me alone for a bit

?I tossed my phone across the floor and shoved myself to a stand. I couldn’t believe this was happening.

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