Page 126 of Heartless Legacy

I’m being hunted and I don’t know by who. It could be anyone. The party’s full of people I don’t trust. Why did I think it would be a good idea to come out to a maze alone in the dark, while drinking champagne? I’ll tell you why, because I didn’t actually think anyone else would risk getting their fancy suits and shiny ass shoes dirty.

My time in that place has rewired my fight-or-flight response, so instead of standing my ground to fight, like my mind is telling me to do, I run. Adrenaline spurs me on, flooding my system with panic. I’m not making smart choices. I’ve hit four dead ends and have to retrace my steps; each time bringing me closer to whoever is in the maze with me.

“Run little girl, run.” The voice calls from somewhere on the right. There’s at least one wall of hedges separating us, but I don’t know if the path I’m on will lead me to him or farther away. Again, I don’t think of a route. I just run.

My heart pounds in my chest, my breath comes out in gasps and my dress clings to me from the sweat on my skin. I pause, hand against the maze wall, trying to catch my breath. I ditched my shoes so I could run faster, but the pea gravel under my feet isn’t the most comfortable feeling.

I’m pulled through the shrubbery wall. A gloved hand wrapped around my mouth smothers my yelp.

“Caught you.”

My feet kick up gravel as they flail around, trying to break his hold. My wild hits and struggles don’t faze him. He maintains his tight hold on me, dragging me deeper into the maze.

When I’m thrown onto the ground, I scramble on my hands and knees, trying to get away. My captor grabs my ankle, turning me over, and quickly binds my hands with a tie before shoving a handkerchief into my mouth.

“I know I saw her. Where did she go?” Someone asks from the other side of the greenery.

The guy clamps a hand over my mouth. With the other, he holds a finger to his lips. Shaking his head, he warns me not to scream. “They aren’t your friends.” He whispers. “They don’t want to help you.”

Says the guy wearing a mask and holding me down. He must read the thought in my eyes. “Yes, I am here to help you. I’ll always help you.” He pushes his mask up, revealing storm grey eyes.

I gasp around his hand for air. I can’t seem to get enough of it in through my nose. Holden’s taking this chase thing too damn seriously. I’m running for my life out here, and now that I know it’s him, my mind and body are conflicted about how they feel about it. On one hand, I’m relieved it’s him, on the other I’m scared shitless.

The other voices drift off, but instead of moving away, Holden shoves my dress up and rips my panties, his hand muffing my screams. I’d rather take my chance with whoever else is out there. I tremble, shaking my head, silently begging him not to do this. He pulls off one glove, shoving his finger inside me.

“Dry as a desert.” He tsks. “Your body is tense. Do I disgust you?”

I nod. He does. Everything about this disgusts me. I try blinking back the tears in my eyes. I feel the loss and hopelessness of it. I’m never gonna enjoy this kind of sex again.

He shakes his head. “No, I don’t think it’s disgust, Thea. You’re mad, and fighting it, but I’m gonna make you remember just how good being hunted and used by me can feel.”

There’s no way for him to do that.

“I can see you doubt me. It’s okay.” He spits on his fingers before shoving them back inside me. “I’m gonna have so much fun proving it to you.” He looks down at his hand. “You’re not gonna enjoy this tonight. But I will.” I can’t move. He’s too close. His weight too heavy on me. He leans closer, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. My eyes widen when he says, “I’m gonna put you to sleep now. When you wake up, you’ll be covered in my cum.”

I scream.Don’t.Against his hand. Fighting and trying to get away. Not this. Not like this. The pinch of the needle burns as he injects something into my neck. I feel my limbs loosen. My eyes grow heavy as he pushes my hair off my face.

I try to make my mouth work, hear my words slur, “Wh-why?”

Chapter 74

Holden

Istand, scooping Thea up into my arms. She asked me why I feel the need to use her. She’s on the verge of passing out now, but that doesn’t stop me from answering. “You need to be in control, but you like the wildness. The freeing feeling of being out of control. You like being used and defiled. I like being the one doing those things to you. There’s nothing wrong with that, Thea. It’s only wrong when you don’t get to choose it.”

I kiss her cheek. “You chose me already. You just need to be reminded why.”

“Bro-ken. Broke. Me.” She slurs. “Sc-scared.” A tear leaks out of her eye.

“I know, Rey. I’m gonna help you.”

I walk her out of the maze and around the house, bypassing the party. I’m done with the mandatory fun. I showed my face and escorted the daughter they forced on me. I’d still be in there suffering if I hadn’t seen Thea entering the flower garden. My nosy little trouble maker couldn’t help but walk into the dark maze alone. I knew she was looking for a distraction from the party.

Plenty of people have gone into the maze tonight, without incident, but some stupid fuckers saw it as an opportunity to goafter her. They were hunting her, just like I was, but were stupid enough not to wear a mask. Now, Finn and I will hunt them.

I tuck Thea into the passenger seat of my car. Her wrists are still bound. She’s out cold. I don’t need the bindings, but I leave them in place, because I love the way they look. I drive to my parent’s place, because it’s closer than going back to campus. Now that I finally have her, I can’t wait. I’m not worried about my parents or Hayden seeing me. I simply slip my jacket over Thea’s wrists and carry her upstairs to my room.

I strip her, letting my fingers linger as each stretch of skin comes into view. They stall on the scars on her chest. I plan to find out where they’re from. I finish undressing her and remove my clothes before climbing onto the bed with her. She looks so beautiful, stretched out on the black silk sheets. I breathe out a happy sigh as I press my lips to hers. It doesn’t matter that she can’t kiss me back. Just feeling her mouth against mine is one of the best feelings in the world. Gripping her chin, I pry her mouth open, slipping my tongue inside, darting it in and out, before sucking on hers. She tastes like the champagne from the party.

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