Page 22 of Fearless

But I’ve had too much to drink. And he’s good looking. Instead of telling him I want to go back inside, I keep laughing at his stupid jokes. A car pulls up in the street outside and honks. Alex turns to wave at them, but it’s dark-haired Cillian that looks back.You’re coming home with me in my car. Say it, Meisie.

“Did you get in the car?”

Yeah, I got in the fucking car. Why wouldn’t I? He’s handsome as hell, and I came here to find someone to bang.

“Where does Alex take you?”

To his apartment, I think. I dunno. It’s all getting jumbled now.

“Are you drunk?” Tap-tap go Patricia’s nails on the iPad.

No, it’s the joint. He offered. I accepted. But I don’t feel high. I feel...not right. Did he spike it?

“Where are you now, Meisie?”

I don’t know. It’s dark. Crowded. Untidy. I keep bumping into things. I think someone’s kissing me. Why won’t they turn on the light? It’s so dark in here. So much stuff lying all over the fucking floor.

“Turn on the light, Meisie.”

It’s red. Everything’s red.

“Is Alex’s apartment red, Meisie? Where are you?”

I’m in the dungeon.

He won’t let me go.

His hands are all over me.

I thought I wanted this, but I’ve changed my mind. I don’t know where I am. I’m scared. Why won’t he let me go? I’m yelling at him, yelling at him to let me go.

“What does he do when you ask him to let you go?”

I…I walk into something, I think.

“What did you walk into?”

I don’t know. It’s too dark. I can’t see. No, wait. Hehitme. Oh, fuck, he just hit me!

I can’t get up. I have to, but I can’t get up.

“Meisie, stop screaming.” But that’s not my shrink’s voice. It’s a man’s voice. Deep, rough, commanding.

Cillian.

He’s holding me down on the bed. No, not holding me down. Thick leather straps are holding me down. He’s tied me to the bed in the red room I just woke up in.

A scream rips out of my throat. “No!”

He grits his teeth, both hands pressing down on my belly to keep me on the bed as I start writhing and twisting against the straps.

“Please, Alex, please. Let me go. I want to leave. Alex, please!”

“Who the fuck is Alex?” Cillian barks out. “Can you even hear me? Meisie, I’m not Alex!”

“Stop. Stop! STOP!”

I open my mouth for another scream, and Cillian shoves a handful of sheet inside. I’m so shocked, my body goes limp as I gape up at him around the linen.

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