Page 107 of All My Broken Pieces

Spotting a large oak tree, she pumped her legs, desperate to hide away before he could reach her. Before he could inflict hispunishment. Whatever that meant.

The beautiful view before me is eclipsed by the tingle of terror pricking at my nerves. I look around the empty beach, desperately searching for somewhere to hide. Gripping the fabric of my dress in my hands, I dart out onto the sand, running as quickly as the sinking ground will allow.

“Come on.” I huff, cursing as my attempts to flee are hindered by the grains sucking in my feet.

It was silent all around her as she hid, the sounds of wildlife dying out, as if the woodland creatures were also in hiding. Another twig snapped a few feet to her left, making her leap from her perch and dart out into the dark forest once more.

“Where are you, baby?” Arriana’s voice rings out, making me speed up my steps. The effort only serving to slow me down further as I trip and fall.

Stretching my arms out, I try to brace myself for the impact. “Ouch.” I grimace, my wrist twisting uncomfortably as my weight crashes down. Glancing over my shoulder, I spot Arriana emerging from our home, her eyes scanning along the beach. I scramble to my feet, ignoring the throbbing of my right arm, the adrenaline pumping through my veins dulling the sharp sting.

Once upright, I take off once more, running futilely down the desolate space, knowing it’s only a matter of time now.

A hand wrapped around her waist, yanking her back against his broad chest. “Caught you.” He breathed, his warm breath ghosting across her cheek. She shuddered against him, her body betraying her even as she willed herself to fight.

“Let mego.” She seethed, yanking against his hold.

He let out a soft chuckle. His other hand moved to grip her throat. Angling her head back, he pressed his lips against her neck, the feel of her fluttering heartbeat only serving to further his need for her. “There’s no escape now, angel.”

My mind whirls as I flee along the coastline, the sound of the ocean crashing against the shoreline echoing loudly around me. I can feel bits of sand hitting the backs of my legs as my hurried steps fling it upward.

A scream is ripped from my throat as I’m suddenly lifted into the air.

“I caught you.” Arriana chuckles, spinning us toward the house. I struggle in her hold, kicking and wiggling against her. Stopping abruptly, Arriana sets me down.

A wave of disappointment rolls through me before I’m shoved to the ground, my face pressed against the sand. I squeeze my eyes and mouth shut tight, angling my head to breathe through my nose, grateful I decided to wear contacts instead of my glasses. My hips are yanked up, knees firmly placed on the sand. I whimper as the angle puts pressure on my injured wrist.

Leaning over my body, Arriana gently sweeps my hair away from my face, her touch soothing some of the ache. “Are you okay, baby?”

My heart soars that one sound of pain coming from me is enough to stop her in her tracks. After all I’ve witnessed, after seeing the viciousness she possesses, to know that one word from me can stop her? It’s a high I never expected.

I nod my head, the rough grains of sand scraping against my skin. There’s a moment of silence before the palm of Arriana’s hand slaps against my ass. I cry out from the impact, my cheek stinging as she gently rubs at the sore spot.

“You shouldn’t have run.” He growled, throwing her up against the trunk of a large tree. Gripping her skirt, he yanked up the fabric, tucking the end into her waistband. His hand rubbed circles on her exposed cheek, a wave of nervous anticipation filled her at his touch.

“I’m s-sorry.” She gasped, but it was already too late. The damage had been done.

A cry erupted from her throat as the palm of his hand hit her ass. She arched against the tree, the bark scraping against her and leaving shallow cuts along her skin. She barely had a moment to catch her breath before another harsh smack landed on her cheek.

“Pl-please.” She begged, tears pricking at her eyes even as a warmth pooled low in her pelvis.

“Do you know why I’m doing this?” Arriana hums, her fingers digging into my skin momentarily before she pulls away to land another blow to my exposed flesh.

I shake my head as much as the angle will allow, tears pooling in my eyes.

Another laugh sounds behind me, her sinister chuckle carrying on the wind and mingling with the crash of waves.“You’re a filthy,filthygirl.” She growls, sliding her hands up my thighs. “And naughty girls are punished.”

The sound of his belt being ripped free echoed loudly around them. She shuddered, knowing what was about to happen next.

Crack.

Her mind registered the noise before the pain. A pained cry erupted from her chest as he landed blows along her ass and thighs.

One. Two. Three.

She lost track of how many times the leather connected with her skin. The only thing she could focus on was the sting of her skin and the shift of her legs as she tried to deny just how affected she was by his brutal treatment.

“Ple-please.” She begged. “I’m s-sorry.”

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