Page 21 of Bells

“And you don’t feel an ounce of remorse,” Seth whispered, kneeling beside me. “Which makes it easier for me.” He reached out and fisted my hair and brought my head off the ground. His eyes darted to my lips for all of a moment before he crushed his mouth to mine and kissed me deeply. His tongue rolled against my tongue before he bit me, drawing blood.

I tasted insanity in that moment. A true fucking nightmare.

He pulled away, stealing my breath, his lips lingering against the blood on my mouth.

“Open,” he whispered against my lips.

I parted my lips for him, letting the madness drive me.

He spit into my mouth.

“Nowfucking swallow.”

I shook as he tightened his fingers in my hair, but I swallowed.

He smirked down at me. “You’re a terrible fucking human.”

My chest heaved as I stared up at him. “So are you.”

He let out a soft chuckle. “I am. Now, it’s time for the fun part. I hope you pray, Isabella.”

“God left me a long time ago,” I said thickly.

He released my hair and gave me a sinister smile. “I didn’t say anything about God, silly girl.”

And with that, he got to his feet and walked away before he disappeared into the darkness, leaving me with my panties around my ankles, a bleeding lip, and my pussy bruised.

But I was satisfied.

And that was all that fucking mattered.

SIN

“You’re giving her flowers?” Ashes looked from the flowers in my hand to my face, wincing.

“Yeah. I fucked up,” I muttered. “It’s my apology.”

He sighed and shook his head. I’d told him about what had happened with Bells. Out of all my friends, Ashes was the one to go to when we needed a shoulder to cry on. Just as fucked up as we were, he still managed to keep his shit together. I hoped the day never came when he lost it. I was sure all his repressed rage at life would set the world on fire and render it to a kingdom of ash.

“Sin, you do understand you didn’t do anything wrong, right? Isabella is. . .”

“She’s what?” I demanded as we stood on the patio of our house overlooking the lake. “What is she, Ashes? Because as far as I’m concerned, she’s what I deserve—”

“You deserve to be mentally and emotionally abused?” He frowned. “No, Sin. You don’t. You don’t see what she’s doing to you. This relationship is toxic and abusive. You’re not this guy—”

“This guy has never felt the way I feel right now. I-I love her,” I finished softly. “That’s all I know.”

Ashes winced. “It’s not the love you deserve. It’s the love you’re punishing yourself with.”

I backed away from him with the flowers in my hand. “So be it.”

I left him there, feeling sick to my stomach. Bells wasn’t returning my texts. She wouldn’t answer my calls or her door. She avoided me and was even missing therapy and classes. That wouldn’t sit well once word got back to Sully. He was a prick and always looking for an excuse to punish students.

I walked to her dorm and pounded on the door.

Over and over.

“Bells. Come on,” I called out. “Please.”

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