Page 232 of I Will Break You

My skin tingles with the sensation of being watched.

“Are we being broadcasted right now?”

“Only if you provide your written consent.” Scroggins sets down the tray on a single table, the only piece of furniture in the room that isn’t a control panel or a monitor.

“What happens to the footage?” Xero asks.

They have a technical discussion that includes terms like multi-camera capture arrays, real-time video encoding, AI-driven content processing, and dual-stream broadcasting capabilities, but I’m hypnotized by my reflections.

I can’t even explain if it’s my newfound confidence or Xero’s presence, but for the first time since I can remember, I’m no longer terrified of what I see.

At the tail end of the conversation, Xero and Scroggins make adjustments to the control panel so it doesn’t broadcast our images to the club. He explains that the AI will select the best angles and download the edited footage to a hard drive we’ll take home as a souvenir.

My heart pounds so hard its vibrations reach my clit. I can’t believe I’ve gone from being horrified about being recorded, to having sex with Xero in the graveyard, to performing on camera. Maybe the difference is consent. Besides, even if this footage was leaked, it wouldn’t hurt so much because I don’t plan on removing my mask.

Scroggins dips his head. “If you and your lady would like some assistance, it would be my pleasure and honor to serve.”

I glance down to find an erection bulging through his leather pants and wonder which of us the bald man wants to serve first.

Xero sneers. “You haven’t yet earned the privilege. When we’ve finished in the screen room, I want to speak to Nocturne about membership.”

“Yes, sir,” Scroggins says with a deep bow.

Xero follows him out toward the exit, where Scrogginsshows him how to pull down a panel of screens to conceal the control area. A moment later, it flares to life, reflecting my form.

I stand in the middle of what’s now a seamless rectangular prism, my gaze wandering around the screens. For the first time since I can remember, I don’t find any part of my reflection jarring.

After exchanging a few hushed words with Xero, Scroggins exits. The door clicks shut, and his footsteps retreat, leaving only the faint hum of the technology.

My heart thuds with anticipation of what’s to come, each beat resounding through my ears with a dull echo. The thrill of all those cameras watching me from every angle as Xero takes me sets off a cascade of rioting butterflies.

They flutter in my chest, tickle the lining of my stomach, and find their way down to my clit. I can’t help but wonder if Nocturne and his underlings are watching us from the tour bus, debating whether we should be invited to become members.

Xero emerges from behind the screen, looking like a completely different man in the artificial light. His pale irises are a stark contrast to his blackened hair and leather mask, giving him an air of extra menace.

In his hands is a length of rope coiled into loops. My senses go on red alert that this experience will form part of my training. If I fail to put up a decent fight, then I can kiss goodbye any further orgasms.

I step back as he prowls toward me with predatory eyes, his gaze traveling down my form. Every prey instinct screams at me to run, but I’m trapped. My darker instincts want to stay and see what Xero will do next.

“You know I love you, right?” he asks.

“What’s this about?” I ask back, my voice breathy with excitement.

“Answer my question,” he snarls.

“Yes.”

“And you know I swore to protect you?”

I give him a shaky nod.

“Good, because I’m going to wreck you with mycock.” His lips curl into a wide grin that makes the rest of his features sinister, especially with both profiles reflected on the screens.

My breath catches as he draws closer, and I clench my fists tight to both sides. His gaze drops to my hands, and his eyes dance with a mix of malice and mirth.

“You going to fight me, little ghost?” he taunts.

“I can’t flee, I won’t freeze, and I sure as hell won’t fawn.”

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