Page 76 of Harmony

He scoffs. “That bitch? Of course I did. Don’t worry though. I knew she wasn’t the one. She was just a little fun.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You slept with her?”

He shrugs. “All part of the test. Will you take the drugs I offer you? Will you fuck a virtual stranger at a party? Will you play along? Let me tell you, she failed, but you passed with flying colors.”

“The second party, you followed me upstairs.”

He winks. “That was our little secret. One small blemish. I should have reported it, but I couldn’t help it. You had already passed my first test. After Shannon, father was a little trigger-happy. I was protecting you.”

“So he killed Shannon?”

A wicked laugh pulls from him. “Of course not. I did. It was easy enough once she snorted the fentanyl-laced cocaine. She was so out of it, but I couldn’t let her look like an overdose. We needed to send a message. So I slit her throat while she was cracked out.”

“Why me?” I whisper, wanting to keep him talking, but not sure what to ask.

“You’re a badass. The way you easily deflected attention off yourself. I watched you at every single party, even if you weren’t selling that night. I watched you brush guys off, using force when necessary. I needed a queen and you, my dear, are perfect.”

“What if I don’t want to be your queen?”

He shrugs. “You are so there’s no point in questioning it.”

The weight of the gun still in my hand calls to me. I pull it up to his chin, pressing it into him. His eyes gleam with excitement.

“Do it. I dare you. It turns me on.” He breathes, pressing closer to me, no concern for the gun in my hand.

“Move away from me, Jared. I will kill you.”

He laughs. “I don’t doubt it after your little show in there, but you’d never make it out alive. You wanna play with a loaded gun. I’m all for it. Fuck, we could even do some knife play. I’m into whatever you are, but let’s not get ourselves killed tonight.”

His hands start to rove over my body. I shiver in disgust as he grips my hips, pulling me closer.

I’m well and truly fucked. If I fire now, I would be killed within minutes. He was my only protection at this point.

“Please. Stop. Not here. Not now,” I plead with him.

I know what he wants. He’s been trying to get me to fuck him since the moment I met him. I’ve narrowly avoided it each time, but tonight my luck may run out. If he forces it, I have no choice. I would have to let him. I can’t fight him and live to see another day.

“Shh. It’s okay. I’ve been patient long enough. Don’t think I don’t know about what you’ve done with Nate. You forget. You’ve been my favorite pastime. The thrill of someone catching you turns you on. Come on. Open up for me.”

He slides his hands between my legs as I clamp them closed.

My body shakes as he peels my legs apart. Dropping my hand with the gun, I let my mind think of Nate.

I hope Nate’s okay. I hope he’s still alive. If I can survive this, maybe I can figure out a way to help him. Lord, please let him be okay. I need him to be okay.

Movement behind Jared has me coming back to the present situation. Jared continues to kiss my neck, one hand on my breast, while the other rubs against my jeans between my legs.

I stiffen as the shadow moves closer.

Noticing my change, Jared leans back.

“What’s wrong?”

I don’t get to answer him. His eyes widen as a wire wraps around his neck, digging into his flesh. I want to move. I should run. The man standing behind Jared is dressed in dark clothing, a mask hiding his face.

I can’t focus on him, though. No. All I can see is Jared. His eyes bulging as his hands try desperately to pull the wire away. Blood starts to pool from where the wire presses into his skin.

The man doesn’t let up. He only pulls harder. Even when Jared goes unconscious, the man continues to pull.

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