Page 97 of The Devil's Deal

I’ll basically make any excuse to be with him right now. This is starting to feel like more than just sex. There’s something there. Something beginning to sprout from the ashes.

But even if we could have something more, does he want that? Can I accept him as he is? Whoever he is?

There are too many things unknown for me to make such a decision. For now, I’ll enjoy the time we have. The rest will come into focus when I have more answers.

The music is only a soft whisper now as I land in the dark hallway upstairs, my heels clacking against the wood floors. I’m only a few steps away from Brian’s door when I almost trip, but strong hands catch me.

“How did you get here before me?” I ask Brian with a small, nervous laugh.

Someone snickers and a chill skitters from my face down to my legs when I realize that the man in the shadows isn’t Brian at all.

I try to run, but it’s too late. A hand twists my hair, yanking me backwards, pulling me as I stumble onto the floor, my heel caught in the hem of my dress.

“Help!” I scream with all my might until a fist lands across my jaw, silencing me.

My head whips back roughly, and flickering dots of light flash before my eyes. I taste the copper in my mouth and I hear my whimpers lodged in my ears.

“Shut your mouth, you whore, or I’ll slice your throat.”

I grumble from the pain, shivering from the harsh words.

I know that voice, I realize.

It belongs to the man from the party, the one who touched me after I rejected his advances.

“He seemed so possessive over you.” The man’s voice cuts into my chest. “Must be something special about that cunt for him to care whether I play with it or not. I’m going to find out what makes you so important.”

No.

No, no, no. I can’t let this happen.

Oh, God, what do I do? How do I get the hell out of here?

I swallow against the thick wave of nausea swirling up my throat.

My heart is racing, my pulse beating loudly in my ears.

I won’t let him touch me. I’ll go down fighting until the very end.

He drags me further down the hall, then swings to the right.

My knees hit the corner of a wall.

I yelp from the sharp pain, but he doesn’t care. He just chuckles at my suffering.

We stop, and I hear a door open, then another.

I lose count as to how many he opens before we stop. He drags me inside a room and flips on a light.

My eyes sting as they adjust to the brightness, and I find myself inside a bathroom I’ve never been in. The click of the lock sends an ice-cold shudder down my body, submerging me in dread.

“Brian,” I call with a voice so small I don’t recognize it, knowing he can’t hear me at all.

* * *

DOMINIC

I’ve shaken enough hands and smiled in enough pictures to be done with this party. I let Miles know I’ll be heading upstairs now. I have more important things to do.

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