Page 114 of Coercion

“What are we going to do with her?” He asks, sighing.

She shrugs almost nonchalantly. “It doesn’t matter. The deal is sorted. Once Civello and Morelli are taken care of, she canargue all she wants. I’m sure her new husband will have ways to bring her in line.”

“New husband?” I gasp. What the fuck does that mean?

My mother nods. “You think I didn’t have this all planned, baby? You think I would leave you in the disgusting arms of Preston Civello forever?”

“He’s not disgusting.” I snarl back.

“He mutilated your body.” Jett growls. “He tortured you and yet you still defend him?”

“At least he realised his mistake, at least he apologised.” I state. “You both left me to die.”

My mother turns her back, hissing. “I’m not going over this again. You’re like a broken record.”

“Are we done?” Jett says to the doctor.

I don’t know what he slapped over my skin but every cut, every wound is burning worse than ever.

“I need to bandage her back up.” He says.

Jett grunts, hauling me back up and baring my breasts to the entire room. “I’ll hold. You wrap.” He says, like any of this is okay.

I shut my eyes letting them do it, self-preservation taking over my pride but let’s face it, it’s better I’m wrapped up and covered than exposed in front of all these arseholes.

Only, when they’ve finished, Jett produces a load of rope. “You hold her down.” He says to the doctor.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

He glances at me, then wrenches my arm up against the headboard. “You need to stop moving, Ruby. This ensures you do that.”

“You’re tying me to the bed?” I snarl.

“It’s for the best.” My mother says.

The doctor nods. “Give it some time, let your body heal.”

I jerk and the doctor leans all his weight onto me. “Don’t hurt yourself.”

“Fuck you.” I spit.

“Ruby.” My mother says. “Stop being so ungrateful.”

Ungrateful? Is she mad? I let out a shudder deciding a different tactic.

“What if I need to pee?” I say. “What about food?”

“We’ll take care of you, baby.” My mother cups my cheek. “We’ll untie you when you need the bathroom and we’ll handfeed you ourselves.”

“I’m not an invalid.” I growl.

“No.” She smiles. “You’re my daughter, and now I have you back I’m going to make up for all those years I couldn’t look after you.”

“Nothing will make up for what you did.” I cry as Jett finishes with my hands and starts tying my feet so I’m spread eagled on my front across the mattress.

“There.” He says proudly and all three of them stand back looking down at me, smiling.

They are mad.

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