Page 25 of Ashes

“I think it would be helpful if you were to aid me in this treatment plan I have in mind for Sirena.”

I sat forward. “What treatment plan?”

“Sometimes it takes fear to scare fear away. And since I know you had something to do with her disorders, I figured you’re the best one for the job. Of course, you could say no. I have it on good authority that Danny Linley also frightens her. I’m sure he’d agree to assist me if you’re unable to…especially if he’s offered certain…protections.” He raised his brows at me.

“Fuck Danny Linley,” I snarled, my body shaking with rage. “And fuck you for suggesting that piece of human garbage.”

Sully nodded and steepled his fingers as he surveyed me. “It’s you or Mr. Linley. I figure if we’re going to get to the root of her problems, you’re the first I should seek out. I’m sure Dante Church and his watchers wouldn’t want to be such willing participants to her treatment plan. But I know you’re a sick, twisted creature who mightenjoyhelping me. So it’s either you on your knees or it’s Linley. The choice is yours, but we’ll work those screams from her lungs until she’s the docile, sweet girl I know she can be. The kind of girl who obeys her. . . master. Don’t you want that master to be you?”

I rose to my feet, my body still trembling.

“Having a beautiful girl on her knees, obeying your every command. Isn’t that every twisted monster’s dream,Asylum? Her warm, willing mouth. Her sweet whimpers? Her acceptance thatyouare her master, and she bows to no one else?”

Kill him.

Kill him.

FEED HIM HIS OWN COCK.

Then the soft voice whispered to me.She could be ours again. Taught and trained to be obey. Desperate to be yours again. You could protect her from the monsters. If you say no, she’ll be in worse danger.

“But I am the danger,” I whispered so softly I knew Sully couldn’t hear my words. I’d break her again, this time to keep her alive…

Sometimes danger is what keeps the heart beating and the mind alert. We want her. . . here she is. Ours. Take. HER. Own. HER. CLAIM HER! FUCKING CLAIM HER!

She could be ours. Not theirs.

“Ours,” I whispered, a thrill running up my spine.

Forever.

“Promise?” I asked softly.

Sully cocked his head at me and raised a brow again.

Forever.

I breathed out.

I’d do it. I’d save her. I’d saveus.

And I’d punish any motherfucker who looked at her wrong. We’d own her. The thought of her on her knees for us. . .

Fuck.

“When do I start?”

Sully’s lips twisted up wickedly.

“How about now?”

CHURCH

Islammed back my shot of bourbon and wiped my mouth, my blond hair hanging forward and wet with sweat from working out in our gym. My body was drenched, and I grabbed a towel and ran it quickly over my bare torso in an effort to dry off.

My fucking nerves were shot. Sleeping escaped me. I could only lie in my bed and stare at the ceiling. And if I wasn’t doing that, I was in the forest, taking out my frustrations with my knife in the only way I knew how.

And specter. My fucking girl was bedridden and unresponsive.

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