Page 62 of Dirty Behavior

There was no satisfaction in taking a man out when he wasn't looking. The number of times Remo forced me to look into his eyes while he delved out my punishments. . . I wanted to return the favor.

And maybe my sick inner self wanted to see the look on his face when I did it. I wanted him to see it was me, I wanted him to know that after everything he had done, he still wasn't going to have me.

But I didn't move, my feet stayed planted to the floor. I didn't trust him. Why would I?

Snapping his head over his shoulder, he nodded for me to follow, spinning his hand in the air. “Let's go. You want to see him, so I'm agreeing to take you.” Remo's feet started to move again as he said, “Don't say I never gave you anything.”

Swallowing hard, I glanced around the open and empty space. Del had disappeared into the building, his chair by the door now empty.

The freedom of having an exit close by slowly faded away as we pushed further down the dim hall. The lights glowed so faintly, barely bright enough to cast shadows on the walls. I'd have to keep track of where we went, which way and how far. I didn't want to get lost in here, especially if I had to make a run for it.

The tap of his feet pounded against my skull, each one more intense than the last. I kept counting the doors we passed and how many steps I took. I felt grateful for having spent so many hours of my lifetime counting.

Numbers stamped my brain and I could see them just as clear as any memory. My panic attacks actually gave me a tool to use. I never thought I'd thank my body's reaction to lose control.

But it had paid off in the end.

Was it fate?

Had every lost breath, every painful pinch and gasp for air led me to this moment? Could it be possible that all the small things I'd been through and suffered through had actually been preparing me for right then?

Maybe life does have a path we can't control.

Maybe all of this was meant to be.

“You know, Ivy, once this is all said and done, you're still mine. And I hope you realize that after all this shit, the whole waiting to take your virginity, well, that part's null and void. I don't care anymore, I'm not waiting.”

“You're a little late, Remo.” I couldn't stop myself from saying it. The words just spewed out like an overflowing faucet.

Shit.

Remo stopped short, his head frozen on the ground, back twitching as his hands floated motionless in the air. “What did you just say?”

Damn my big mouth!

I wanted to wait till I knew where Dante was. I wasn't going to say anything until I knew for sure. There was still this digging itch to let him know that I wasn't the white rabbit he chased anymore.

I had forbidden him to have what he ultimately paid for, my virginity. And I couldn't stop the small light from flickering deep inside my brain that he would lose interest in the chase if he knew.

Or he would kill me? One click of the trigger, and I'd be gone.

His head ticked up, turning with short snaps to look at me. “Did you really just say what I think you said?”

Quickly, I yanked the knife out from behind my back, holding it out with two hands. “Take me to him! Now!” The knife vibrated, bouncing quickly in the air as my arms shook. I wanted to just jump forward, cut him, slice him. . . But I needed Dante.

Smirking, Remo held his hands up. “Of course, don't do anything stupid, he's this way.” His voice scared me. It was thick and dark, layered in destruction. “Right in here.”

There was a door to our right, bolted and locked from the outside. The knife felt like it weighed a ton in my hands. My lungs strained to take in the musty oxygen that floated between us, trembling, my heart thudded in my ears.

“Open it,” I demanded, pointing the knife up at his face.

“As you wish.”

This doesn't feel right.

None of this feels right.

Remo's mood was too calm, it was too even and flat. I didn't like it. He wasn't a man to trust, and this, this wasn't the time for me to start.

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