Page 29 of Untamed

I hesitate. I know I should stop. Block him. Shut this down. But instead, I press deeper, unable to resist the pull.

I can’t help it. I click his last message.

Bratvabloodline

Do you really want to find out how wrong you are?

Maybe I do.

The pause stretches long enough to make my chest tighten, anticipation building like a live wire. Then his response lands, lethal and dripping with dominance.

Bratvabloodline

Good. Because when I’m done with you, you won’t remember what it felt like to ever be in control.

My heart thunders in my chest. I know I’m walking a dangerous line, but the way his words sink into me makes me crave what’s on the other side.

No.I’m going to find out this is all fake, he’ll reveal his endgame, and I’ll feel all dejected and bereft.

Whatever. I am so over posers who think they can flirt with a needy woman online and stroke their own ego. He’s probably banging one off in his mother’s basement while he?—

In our message line, another post pops up, directly embedded in our conversation.

I stare, my eyes narrowing. It’s… I know this place. Cold washes over me as I recognize a shadowy corner of my latest shoot and the caption beneath it. He hasn’t posted it though… this is only for my eyes.

Caught the little photographer queen dreaming of her own anti-hero.

I recognize myself immediately, camera in hand, pointed at fading poinsettias outside a local cathedral after they discarded them at the end of the Christmas season.

He’s… this is… that’sme.

I should block him.

I should call the cops and report stalking like a reasonable,rationalperson… like I should have long ago when my stepbrother hurt me. I know what happens when you ignore your instincts.

But I don’t trust cops. I don’t trustmen.

I’m suddenly filled with a blinding rage. My fingers shake on the screen.

Who the fuck are you and what are you doing?

Bratvabloodline

I’m calling your bluff, little queen. And I already told you who I am.

My bluff? Dude you’ve got one thick head if you think for one minute that I’m actually entertaining any of this. It’s for show. In real life, you can fuck off

Bratvabloodline

Is that so? After everything, you’re upset now? I told you what my life is, and you kept playing your little games. What did you think this was?

What I think is that you are out of your goddamn mind

Bratvabloodline

Maybe. But I think you’ll love your little present, little queen

My jaw drops. He didnot.

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