Page 161 of Kissing the Villain

I had no fucking clue.

“You brought me here,” I muttered. “What do you want? What is this place?”

No one spoke.

Was this all a dream?

Wake up, Alex.

I dug my fingernails into my forearm, clawing at my skin to help me wake up.

This had to be a dream.

A new version of hell.

I raked my fingernails up and down my vein, trying to free myself from this prison. When my nails proved unsuccessful, I flattened my palm on the floor, feeling in front of me. I found a small stone and pinched it between my fingers, scraping my sensitive skin with the sharpest point.

“Wake up, wake up,” I whispered, repeating the same motion.

Why wasn’t it working?

Not real.

Not real.

Wake up, dammit.

Black wingtips stopped in front of me. A man reached down and grabbed my wrist, his fingers digging into my flesh with force. I slapped his hand, and he released me, stepping back.

I shot up from the ground, my blood pumping so fast my head spun, the room whipping around me. I lost my footing and fell sideways, cursing at these assholes. Someone grabbed me from behind to steady me. I glanced at the five hooded men. There was a gold shield with two knights’ helmets on each side and two swords beneath the shield over the left breast.

That’s when it hit me. I was with The Devil’s Knights. This was their Billionaire Bat Cave.

But why would they bring me here?

I shoved my palms into Luca’s chest, and he stood there, allowing me to pound my fists. But not for long. He wrapped his long fingers around my wrists and squeezed.

“What do you want from me?”

The room was so quiet I could hear myself breathing.

“Why am I here?” I said with venom in my tone.

No answer.

He turned on his heels, and the men parted for him. Luca sat on his throne, the hood still in place. I moved toward the dais. The Knights moved forward as if they were going to stop me. But when Luca waved his hand, they let me approach.

“What the fuck is your deal?” I yelled at Luca.

More silence.

Fueled by my rage, I shouted, “Explain to me why you brought me here in the middle of the night.” I smacked his chest. “Say something, you sick motherfucker. Do you want to play games? Bring it, bitch. Because I’m so fucking ready to play.”

Luca leaned forward, his elbows resting on his thighs, the hood still covering his face. “You know why you’re here.”

“No, I don’t.”

I scanned the room, wondering what they did with the altar. These sick assholes probably performed satanic rituals and made offerings to their gilded gods. Luca glared at me, studying me with curiosity. He should have been more concerned that I would claw his eyeballs out with my fingers and feed them to him. I was sick of him and his stupid mindfuckery.

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