Page 493 of Filthy Elites

My stomach lets out a loud growl and all of the guys chuckle.

“We worked up an appetite,” Sebastian says loud enough that I feel my cheeks heat and I want to melt into the floor where I don’t have to see my stepbrother and his friends snickering and smirking.

“And now suddenly I’m not hungry anymore,” I hiss, standing from Sebastian’s lap, only to be dragged back down, his arm suddenly an iron bar keeping me in place.

“Sit. Eat,” he orders.

His anger reignites the fear and anguish I’d managed to push to the back of my mind and I just want to curl into a ball and cry again. My emotions are all over the place. One minute I’m desolate, the next rebellious, the next horny, but this is what he’s always done to me. He overwhelms me until I can’t even trust my own instincts.

“Beer, water, soda, juice?” Evan asks, dragging my attention from my internal freak-out.

“Water’s fine, thanks.”

Getting up from the table, he crosses to the huge built-in drinks cooler and takes out four beers and a bottle of water, then hands them out, giving me mine first. His eyes seem to be raking over me, his brows furrowed lightly.

“Are you okay?” he asks cautiously.

“Well, I’m a prisoner, the guy I moved halfway across the country to get away from apparently wants to lock me in a cage and I just let him take my virginity because he worked me up so hard I forgot that I hate him,” I word vomit, laughing hysterically.

Evan’s eyes widen and he looks from me to Sebastian behind me.

“You’re not a prisoner,” Sebastian says quietly.

“Aren’t I? Can I get up and leave, pack my stuff and go home?”

“No.”

“Then let’s call a spade a spade. I’m a prisoner.”

The guys all stare at me, like they have no idea what to say, like me calling them on their bullshit is completely unexpected.

“Little bird,” Sebastian growls in warning.

“There’s no point sugarcoating it, is there? You wanted me here, so here I am. None of this was my choice and you know it’s not what I want. But like you’ve already told me, what I want isn’t important, this is all about you, because I had the audacity to not fall in for your plans for me when I was sixteen.”

“Starling.” His voice is icy, but really, what else can he do to me now that he hasn’t already?

“What do you want from me, huh? I’m not going to pretend that I’m happy about this situation just to make you feel better about it. The four of you are holding me captive; I’m a prisoner and this is my cage,” I say, throwing my arms in the air and scoffing.

Hunter, Evan and Clay all shuffle uncomfortably in their seats and I can’t help the smirk that spreads across my lips. “What’s up, boys? Not enjoying your role as jailer as much as you thought you would. At least Sebastian gets to fuck me. I’ll still hate him for it, but he’s getting his dick wet. What are you three getting? I don’t hate you quite as much as I despise him, but make no mistake, I hate you all too.”

“We” Clay starts.

“You what?” I interrupt him. “You what?”

“We don’t want you to hate us,” Hunter says quietly, his intense eyes boring into me.

“Awww, well that sucks for you then doesn’t it,” I say sardonically, ignoring the plate of food in front of me and reaching over to grab a roll from the bowl in the center of the table. Sebastian’s hold on me loosens marginally, so I take the opportunity to stand up. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my prisoner’s ration of bread and water back upstairs to my cell.” Turning to Sebastian, I smile widely. “Now am I in solitary confinement in my own bed, or am I being shackled to yours?”

“We’ll be sleeping in our bed,” he says tersely.

“Yes, warden, sir,” I say, offering him a mock salute before turning and marching to the door, pausing and spinning around to face the guys. “All prisoners get exercise time in the yard, I run at five a.m. and as I’m not allowed out without one of my guards, I’ll let you decide which one of you gets to accompany me.”

My Bravado lasts until my fingers wrap around the door handle for my door and it doesn’t open. As much as I can throw sass at the guys and pretend like I’m just full of anger when I’m around them, as soon as I’m alone, the sadness and fear take over. Stumbling into Sebastian’s room, I rush into the bathroom and turn on all the faucets, letting the sound of running water cover the sound of me breaking down. Reality hits me like a wrecking ball and my legs collapse beneath me as I sink to the floor and sob into my hands for the life I should have had and the reality I’m being forced to live.

I’m not sure how long I cry for, long enough for the water to heat and for the room to fill with steam. Pushing the plug into place I let the tub fill with water and then climb into it fully clothed, ignoring the burning sensation as the water scalds my skin. When the stinging fades, my body goes numb and I lean my head back into the water and close my eyes, steadying my breathing as I listen to the sound of the water moving around me.

I feel it the moment he opens the door and steps into the bathroom, but I don’t open my eyes, or make any attempt to speak to him. After a moment, he leaves again and I exhale a breath I hadn’t known I was holding. When the water goes cold, I get out, shrugging his sopping-wet shirt and my panties to the floor before wrapping myself in a fluffy towel.

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