Page 146 of Deceit

“Can I wear shoes?” I ask.

He looks at me consideringly before nodding.

“You’ll have to take them off once we are inside but for now, yes.”

My nose wrinkles. “Do you guys get to wear shoes?”

“Yes.”

“Then why can’t I?” I ask, defiance rippling through me.

Ronan instantly senses it and his fingers stall on the buttons, holding my shoulders tightly.

“Look at me.”

I do as he says, to find a serious expression on his face.

“I could not be more serious when I say this, Skyla. Do not talk back. Do not ask questions. Do. Not. Speak. The entire time we are there.”

Slowly, I nod. It’s not a hard concept. My father has always emphasized the importance of women being seen and not heard. An ideal that Aunt Steph undermined every chance she could. When we weren’t in my father’s presence, of course.

I slip on a pair of flats as the clock strikes eleven twenty and Ronan opens the door. I leave my key and phone here, since he said they wouldn’t be allowed wherever we are going anyways. As soon as we step outside the building, Ronan stops me in my tracks, tying a blindfold on my face.

“Seriously?” I ask.

“Sorry, baby. Rules.”

I scoff but let him tie the white satin material around my eyes as he begins guiding me. When we get to his car, he opens the door, helping me in before we begin driving. We drive for probably five minutes before we park, though I swear we just drove in a bunch of circles.

My flats thunk against the hard pavement before it soon changes to something different. My steps are more echoed, and a chill erupts over my spine as we carefully go down a set of stairs.

“Almost there,” Ronan says.

A musty smell fills my nose, and I do my best to breathe through my mouth as we walk. After a little ways, Ronan stops me, pulling my shoes off before setting them to the side.

“We have to go in here first. Keep your blindfold on,” he whispers, as he takes me into a room where a chilling voice greets us.

“Ah, welcome, Miss Parris,” a man says from my left.

I don’t say anything, giving a polite smile and a nod. Ronan lifts me up and onto a table before pushing me to lay down. I do as he guides, while I prepare for the examination.

Thankfully, Ronan gave me a heads up.

“Feet together and let your legs fall open please.”

My stomach rolling at the request, I do as he says, an appreciative guffaw falling from his lips that makes me sick.

“Mr. Putnam is a very lucky man. You’re so beautiful.”

“Is she a virgin or not?” Ronan grits through clenched teeth.

I can practically hear him working his jaw over and over again, so he doesn’t break this guy’s.

“It certainly appears so. Allow me to confirm,” he says before he slips a finger inside me, feeling around and pressing on me in a way that’s painful before I whimper.

“Most definitely. A prize indeed,” the doctor says, his smile audible in his tone. Ronan’s rough hands pull down my dress, helping me sit up before sliding off the bed.

“Thanks, Doc,” Ronan says briskly, as he begins walking us out.

---