Page 112 of Ghost

The things I know they’ve done to women send every nerve in my body on high alert.

Looking up at Grimm, I try to wrap my mind around the monster he’s become. I always knew his father’s blood ran through his veins, but I hoped he’d never actually become him. He looked out for his brother once. He looked out forme.

How did that become so twisted?

Grimm guides me into a quieter room, where the music is muffled so it doesn’t numb my ears. A man is sitting on a couch with topless women flanking his sides as Grimm pushes me to stand in the center.

“Prez.” Grimm nods at Titan, who hasn’t taken his eyes off me since I walked in.

Titan’s dark hair is buzzed to his scalp. He has tattoos covering his arms and neck, with the Iron Sinners symbol on the center of his throat. I’ve never met him in person, but I’ve seen pictures. And now I know they do nothing to capture the unfiltered evil that bleeds out of him.

“You’re prettier in person,” Titan says, smirking at me. “But I’d prefer you blonde, so we’re going to have to wash that shit out of your hair.”

I roll my shoulders back, not liking that it even matters to Titan. Grimm made it sound like I was being brought here for him, but Titan insinuates something different.

“You’ve caused me and my men all sorts of trouble.” Titan looks up at me from where he’s sitting, narrowing his eyes. “I expect you to make up for that.”

“She will.” Grimm grabs my arm tightly. “Won’t you, baby doll?”

I grit my teeth, not answering.

Nothing I say will do me any good right now. If I’m not careful, my tongue will just get me into more trouble.

“A quiet little mouse.” Titan sneers. “I’m going to have fun making you scream.”

Grimm chuckles, showing no sympathy for the situation he’s put me in. If anything, Titan’s threat has excitement flashing in his eyes. I suppose that’s what it takes to be one of them.

Heartless.

Soulless.

Disgusting.

The girls sitting at Titan’s sides tuck against him. Their eyes are hazy as their eyelashes flutter. Whatever drugsthey’re on must be intense because they don’t seem fully aware of what’s going on around them.

“What do you want me to do with her, Prez?” Grimm tugs my arm, and it knocks me off balance.

My ankle twists again, and I wince in pain. The reaction has Titan’s eyes gleaming.

“Put her in my room,” he says to Grimm. “You know the rules. You can have her once I’m done breaking her in.”

Grimm nods, dragging me behind him as I try to resist. But with my hurt ankle and bound wrists, I have no leverage.

Titan’s words play in a loop as Grimm tugs me through the party. Everyone is wasted and high. I can barely breathe through the cigarette smoke.

Grimm pulls me around a corner and down a long hall. We pass a door, and I hear a girl screaming, but from the pitch, I get the feeling it’s not out of pleasure. She screams again, and my blood chills.

“Please don’t do this.” I try to resist as Grimm tugs me along.

Grimm chuckles, stopping at a door at the end of the hall. “Don’t pretend you don’t want this, baby doll. You were their slut for a year. Now you get to be ours.”

“That’s not what it was.” I stumble as Grimm pushes me into the room.

With my hands bound behind my back, I can’t catch myself, and I fall face-first onto the bed.

“Not yet.” Grimm grabs me by the hair, pulling me up, and tears sting my eyes. “Titan will want you over here first.”

Grimm pulls me by the hair. I wince when my weight lands on my ankle as I stumble to follow him. I must have rolled it, and his rough handling of me isn’t helping.

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