Page 17 of Darkness Falls

She digs in her bag for a few minutes before grabbing something out, opening it, and rubbing it onto my tender skin. I feel a slight burn and jump forward to a seated position, making her stumble backward.

"If you move around while I do this, it could make the scarring worse," she warns, prompting me to lie back down to let her finish doing her job.

She cleans it and rubs some kind of cream over the area that instantly cools it before taping a bandage over my wound and taking a step back. I sit up, wince at the pain, and stare at her for a moment before she speaks.

"Take these antibiotics for the next few days. Keep the area clean, and be sure to change the bandage frequently." She places a stack of bandages on the bed next to me. "This cream will help. If you see any sign of infection, have someone call for me. I’m not allowed to give you a full bottle of painkillers, so I will stop by whenever you are ready for your next dose." With that, she turns and leaves.

I sigh and walk into the adjoining bathroom to take one good look at myself before pulling the cut shirt over my head and tossing it into the corner of the room. My eyes land on my face in the mirror, and I pause for a moment. I look tired. There are dark circles under my eyes, and my hair lacks its usual shine. Being here in this place is going to ruin me one way or another.

Chapter 8

Callie

Ihave less than a month until I'm supposed to marry Damien. I thought I'd find a way out of this mess, but both my father and Damien seem to be one step ahead of me no matter what I try.

It’s been a few days since the burn, and I've been trying to manage it the best I can. It's started to heal but still hurts like a bitch. The pain meds the nurse is giving me definitely helps. I'll never understand how my father is able to be so cruel to me. Does he not have even one ounce of love inside him? How can he be so callous towards his own flesh and blood?

Now that I know the truth about Rogue and what my father involves himself in, my father 'gave me the privilege' of sitting in on one of his council meetings that is just wrapping up. I don’t want to be here, and I can’t find it in me to even focus on any of what they’re saying. Instead I’m just floating through all the thoughts in my head.

It came as a surprise to find out the entirety of the council knows about what my father and Damien are up to. Every single one of the men on this compound are just as ruthless as its precious leader and second-in-command.

Secrets and blackmail, for what? Power? Control? Influence? I thought Rogue was corrupt, sure, but I never imagined it was this bad. My father is always up to something and as much as I hate to admit it, it all makes sense now. I need to get my hands on that notebook and find a way to get the hell out of here.

"We have one more item to discuss." My father states and gestures over to Damien pulling me from my thoughts.

Damien stands and looks over to give me a sadistic smile before addressing the room. "As you are aware, our wedding is approaching. Guests will start pouring in and it is your duty to house some of them. Most will bring their campers to park in the field but there are a few who will require housing. Gabriel's house will be off limits as we want to ensure Callie's safety."

I glance around seeing all heads nodding in agreement.

"What about Elizabeth and Martin Stone's old house? Can we have guests stay there? I know we've kept it empty since they died in the fire to honor the memory of their founding line, but it could come in handy." One of the council members says.

"That will not be an option," my father interrupts. "The Stone residence is empty for a reason and while it is a bit of a waste of space, we must honor them by continuing to keep it vacant. Callie will be moving in with Damien after their nuptials as well, so his house will also be unavailable. As Damien said most of the community will have campers. This is for a select few.”

Nobody fights him on this, they all just accept it, like perfect robots. They think I'm going to actually move in with Damien andlive with him like husband and wife. I'll bring a knife to my throat before I ever let that happen.

Mumbles fill the room for a few minutes, allowing me time to retreat into my thoughts. I need to find a way to get out of here. There is no way I’m moving into that house with Damien and absolutely no way I’m marrying him.

"Callie!" My father yells.

"Sorry, father. I was lost in thought." I say to try and placate him. Fuck, here we go.

"You see, gentlemen. This is a prime example of why it is imperative to have Damien aid her once she becomes the leader. Women get caught in their own thoughts way too often."

The men in the room all laugh and it takes everything in me to not react. I ball my fists, digging my fingernails into the palms of my hands.

Damien walks over and reaches his hand out in front of me. "Let's go." He grits, confusing me. When I don't react, he leans in and grabs my hand to pull me up. "Your father excused you while you were off in la la land."

My eyes land on my father and I take in the scowl on his face. I embarrassed him and he will find a way to make me pay for it. Another lesson will likely be in my immediate future. Damien pulls me out of the room before dragging me across the compound from the main building in the center toward my father's house.

I try to pull my hand out of his but again, his fingers dig in. "I can fucking walk, Damien."

He stops and shoves me against a nearby tree, knocking the wind out of me. There are people around, so he leans in to whisper in my ear, trying to make it seem like we were being intimate to the wandering eye.

"The first thing I’ll be correcting once we’re married is your smart-ass mouth. Every time you speak out of turn, I'll shove my cock so far down your throat you can't breathe. It's the only real use for a mouth like yours anyway." His nose runs along the length of my neck, and it turns my stomach.

"Get off of me." I huff in disgust.

“Breaking you is going to be so much fun.” He sneers.

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