Page 53 of Breaker

Zane rips his gaze away from my smirk, and steps back. I suck in air, not realizing his proximity, his slick eyes moving over my like invasive fingers, had me holding my breath. My nerves skitter along my spine as I watch him move to his ornate desk infront of the windows and pick up a large manilla envelope. He pulls out several sheets, skimming over them.

“It was taken out?” he asks, glancing up briefly to look at Rune. “It was part of the agreement.”

“Yes,” Rune says. “And as you can see everything is in order, but it may take a few weeks, maybe months for all I know before things are back to normal.”

Zane nods, glancing my way, then turns his attention to the papers in his hand. “Nothing to be concerned about? Everything’s clear?”

Rune gestures to the papers. “As you can see from the report, everything is fine.”

“Nothing that needs taking care of?” Zane asks, eyes landing on my belly for a heartbeat. “Or is it too soon to tell?”

“The test was negative,” Rune says and my stomach lurches.

“What test?” I ask, reaching for the papers in Zane’s greedy hands, turning over various reports in my mind, trying to figure out what sort of test they mean. My finger’s curl into the papers, glaring at him as I rip them from his grasp. It takes a second for the words to register, but when they do my gasp is audible.

“You gave him the results of my exam?” I nearly scream, marching toward Rune. Rage burns my cheeks, humiliation making my palms sweat. How dare he? He just continues to violate me, and I’m stupid enough to be surprised by it.

Behind Rune, standing by the door, Clyde shifts, clasping his hands behind his back, chin dropping to look at his feet. I pin my glare on him. How dare he have the nerve to look upset.

I turn back to Zane, shaking the papers in his face. “Was it you who requested the fucking exam? Needed to make sure your trophy isn’t tarnished?”

“You’re no trophy, and you’re already tarnished,” he says that slick classic Zane smile returning. Slightly smug and gleeful. “You’ve had enough dick in you that I’m surprised your tests came back clean.”

I step forward, shoving the papers in his face, but he smacks my hand away before I can smash them into his mouth.

This invasion feels so awful, my body flooding with shame, my gut churning with violence. I’m so sick of being violated. Used. Controlled. Humiliated for being female.

“Fuck you Zane,” I seethe, taking a step away to stop myself from slapping him.

“I plan on it,” he says, setting the papers down and leaning back on his desk, hands resting behind him on the edge. “But I want to make sure my wife’s fuckable.”

Wife. The word cuts me cleanly.

It’s one thing to think about why I’m here. It’s another to know it. Have them say it. Hear them discuss my body like my only value is between my legs.

The thought of Zane touching me makes me even sicker than Rune. I know where he’s been. I know so many vile things about him the thought of Zane coming near me, the thought that he evenwantsto fuck me, makes bile rise in my throat.

I swallow it and my anger down, balling my shaking hands into fists as I lock my eyes with his. “I’m surprised you want someone so young, Zane.”

His eyes freeze over, shoulders growing rigid. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

Ignoring him, I head for the door. “This meeting is over.”

Clyde comes alive, his body tense as he reaches for the door and opens it for me. He gestures for me to exit, casting a deadly glance Zane’s way as I stalk through.

The man’s been hot on my heels for days and I know why. I have a feeling Zane has suddenly become more of a threat than Rune.

***

Outside crickets chirp, and in the distance I hear the rev of an engine, making me glance up from my seat behind Rune’s desk. With my heart hammering I place my palms on the wood desk wait.

After this afternoon, I know I need to do everything in my power to stop from being handed over to Zane. So, I’m in Rune’s office waiting for him. The only reason I’m risking being alone with him at all is because Clyde’s in the house, and Rune wouldn’t dare touch me in any way out of fear Clyde could walk in.

I think.

I hope.

As annoying as it’s been having Clyde following me while I roamed from room to room, attempting to pout alone, I’m glad he’s here. I just hope he stays a while, or Rune lets me return to my condo soon. Clyde may be Rune’s closest and oldest friend, but I know he’ll get sick of him sleeping in the guest room any day now.

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