Page 84 of Quinlan

“You won’t have contact with the outside world,” Rome deadpans. His expression is serious. His tone is flat. “Unless it’s your clients, parents or anyone else we approve of. No new clients, by the way. That’s off the table. Your old phone? It’s no longer yours. You’ll have a new one with our numbers. A laptop with encrypted emails. That’s all you’ll have.”

“You hired me to be a web designer.” I flatten my hands on the table. I’m aware I have to tamp down the rage. Find a middle ground so I won’t get thrown out of here. So I lower my voice. “My body isn’t for you to use.”

After what I let them do to me—after how I enjoyed it—my refusal sounds pathetic.

That’s what I am. Pathetic.

A burning sensation starts at the base of my throat and spreads up, up, up. My cheeks light aflame.

I need them to touch me. I need them to go to hell.

“Yes, it is.” Rome cracks his neck.

“You don’t get to decide on that.” One hand rises, and I slam it on the table, much like Rex had on a number of tantrums. “I do.”

“We’re way past that, darling.” Damien doesn’t flinch. In fact, my tantrum only fuels him. I’m entertaining the bastard. “We were past that the second you agreed to take this job.”

“Before that,” Liam says in a low voice, his expression unreadable.

“Before that?” My throat tightens. My mouth goes dry. Ohno. I was right. Three men. Three hot, cruel, and awful men have been stalking me. For how long? Doesn’t matter. Shouldn’t matter. Just like I shouldn’t be turned-on. Except it does matter. Except I am turned on. Fuck. “Since when?”

I rub at my forehead, pissed at myself. This isn’t what I really want to ask, though, is it?

What I have to know is why.

Why have they been stalking me? Seducing me? Why am I here?

The questions remain firmly lodged in my throat. I know why.

I’m scared. There’s no doubt in my mind that the answers would destroy me. And I need my shit together to survive this.

“Quinlan, you have it all fucking wrong if you think we owe you anything. Answers included.” Rome rolls his shoulders. Draws them forward as he leans on his forearms, obviously enjoying my fear. My anger. “But I’ll indulge you this once. We own you. No, we didn’t have that clause in your contract. Yes, you still very much belong to us. The compensation we offer you should make up for your…inconvenience. It’s more than enough to pay for your parents’ medical bills. And isn’t that why you’re here?”

Hearing how much they’ve actually learned about me is suffocating. It’s a hand on my mouth, a force silencing my moans. A palm turning my ass red and sore. Teeth clamping on my inner thigh.

These three men have always shown me their true colors. In the street. In the bathroom. Here, in their pristine conference room.

But unlike them, I never had the full picture. I couldn’t connect the dots.

Now, when it’s too late, I can. Now it hurts.

Now they have me with my back against the wall.

Shut up, I mouth. I can’t yell it. Can’t scream it.

Wish I could. Can’t.

“Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.”

“That’s where most of your income goes to.” Damien finishes Rome’s threat. “Providing for your parents. But it’s not enough. You need us. You’ll do as we say.”

My nails dig into the inside of my palms. My pepper spray is in my bag. Rex made me carry it with me everywhere. And I don’t have it on me. Tatum does.

Not like it matters. Not like I would use it on these men.

This is the job I’ve been waiting for.

My parents. It’s my fault they are the way they are. I did this. I’m in charge of fixing it. Even Rex said so one time, when he was drunk.

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