Page 99 of All My Broken Pieces

My anxious thoughts run non-stop in my head as I climb off the bed. Glancing over my shoulder, I find Arriana watching me wordlessly, the look on her face enough to send me spiraling if I wasn’t already.

The vibrations still buzzing consistently in my ass along with the multiple orgasm denials send a confusing mix of signals to my brain, making it hard to think clearly.

Reaching behind me, I pull out the plug, tossing it on the bed before turning to look around the room. I find a pair of sweats and a tank top resting on the small dresser across the room. Tugging on the sweatpants, I let out a nervous laugh. “It’s fine, I’m fine. I…I don’t know why I said that.” I pull the tank top over my head and slip my feet into my sandals. “I just need—I’m going to, um…” I let the half excuses hang in the air, not sure what to say. All I know is I can’t stay in here and have her looking at me likethat.

“Fallon-” She calls, but it’s too late, I’m already out the door and stumbling in the dark as far away as I can.

Sucking in breath after breath, I try to beat down the tsunami of emotions building inside of me.

Just a broken mess.

I just let everyone down.

I run my hands through my damp hair, not realizing how cold it is outside until my fingers touch the icy strands. A shiver runs through my body and I suddenly wish I had grabbed a jacket in my hurry out the door.

Wrapping my arms around myself, I duck my head and walk toward the far end of the motel, the chilly air enough to shock my system. Some of the overwhelming emotions held back by sheer force of will.

I find myself missing how things used to be, before the endless nightmare our lives have become.

Before I gave into all the poisonous thoughts of my upbringing, before Arriana punched Scarlett and wound up in jail, before I found the temporary peace that lies at the bottom of a bottle, before we had to give up everything and flee to fuckingMexico.

Shaking my head, I huff a laugh at the ridiculousness of our lives now. My humor quickly dying off at the sound of boots scuffling against the ground. I freeze, my heart beating heavily in my chest.

It’s probably just Arriana coming to check on you.

I try to reassure myself, but deep down I know it’s not true. The footsteps are much too heavy, and the energy making its way toward me much too dark to be my love.

Glancing over my shoulder, I see the imposing figure of a man approaching me. My erratic heart jumps into overdrive, a lump forming in my throat as he grows closer. I try to pivot, to circle around him back toward our room, but he blocks my path.

“Where’d you think you’re going, pretty lass?” The man drawls, the stale smell of whiskey wafting into my face even from the short distance between us.

My body shakes, but not from the cold. I wrap my arms tighter around myself, trying to hide the evidence the cold has on my body, no doubt it would only make matters worse. I try to sidestep him, but he once again moves in my way.

Snapping his hand out, his large fingers circle my bicep, gripping so tightly I cry out from the sharp pain. “It’s not polite to ignore someone.” He tightens his hold, my arm throbbing in response to the lack of blood flow. “Think it’s time to teach you a lesson.” He slurs, barring his teeth at me in a wolf-like grin.

I try to pull my arm free, snapping, “Let me go.” But it only serves to further anger him.

“What are you doing, Bruce?” A voice sounds behind me and I send up a silent thank you that I’ve been saved from whatever this man had planned.

Bruce looks over my shoulder, his grin growing. My heart sinks at the sight. “Hey, Park. Just teaching this sweet young thing some manners.” I shudder, trying again to pull my arm free. “She’s a bit squirrelly though, wanna help?”

My stomach drops, there’s no way I can escape two men. My mind flashes back to the dark room, to Daniel forcing himself on me. The memory of Logan doing the same pushes its way forward as it often does, only this time both memories are a warning, a reminder of what the depravity of man can and does look like.

I cry out, tugging harder against him.

I can’t go through this again. I can’t.

“Let mego!” I scream, clawing at his arm with my free hand.

“Careful, darlin’.” The other man warns, gripping my wrist and tearing it away from his friend’s arm. “Don’t want to make this worse for ya, now do you?”

I shiver against the cold, the thin fabric little protection against the elements or the men currently leering at my breasts through the tank top. “Just-just let me go, please.” I beg, shrinking away from their gazes.

Bruce barks a laugh, growing more bold with his companion now here. “Not a chance, sweetheart.” Before I can react, he reaches his hand up and grips the neck of my top, ripping it down to free my breasts. “Goddamnthose are some perfect tits.” He groans, palming one of them aggressively in his large palm.

I whimper, trying to get away, but there’s nowhere I can go, not with my arms trapped in their hold.

“You think the carpet matches the drapes?” Park hums, gripping the hem of my sweats.

---