Page 46 of Swallow Your Fear
We headed toward the top of the stairs, and as we did, McKenna called out, “Grace!”
All our heads swiveled to the right, landing on McKenna’s cousin. Grace was wearing a revealing Playboy bunny costume, a pair of ears and a tiny ball of fluff above her ass completing the look.
Her face lit up when she saw us, one of the few flickering candle lights casting dancing shadows over the man she had on her arm.
“McKenna!” Grace shrieked, tugging the tall blonde our way.
“How are things?” McKenna asked, a huge grin pulling at her mouth.
I glanced between the two of them, then sent an apologetic half-smile to Booker as McKenna and Grace began babbling about work and who the tall drink of water was on Grace’s arm. The man didn’t look too happy to be here, but I guessed that was normal considering the three guys with us most likely had similar expressions hidden behind their masks.
“Oh my gosh, you guys go on without me,” McKenna said, turning her attention back to me for a split second with a wave of her hand.
“Are you sure? We can wait.” I didn’t feel the most comfortable leaving her.
McKenna nodded, her high-pony bobbing. “Yes, I’m sure! I’ll find you guys down there.”
I hated going on without her, but I also knew the guys didn’t want to be here long, and being as McKenna and I had already been through this place dozens of times, I figured we could make quick work of exploring the basement, then head back up to find her still here talking.
“Okay. Call me if you can’t find us,” I said.
She nodded, then went back to chatting with Grace.
I tested each step with the toe of my cowgirl boot before continuing down the stairs with the guys in tow. The staircase was narrow, allowing only single formation on the way down. The air grew colder and almost denser as moisture coated the space. All the while my body shivered, myhand stayed warm where it was gripped in Booker’s behind me.
We reached the bottom, only having the option to go one way or the other as we faced a cinder block wall. A candle was lit, held by a gothic black sconce, providing our only source of light as I steered us down the right hall.
We approached a corner, and right when I went to round it, a man jumped out wearing a red steampunk mask with little spikes darting out of it. I jumped back, straight into Booker’s chest, where he grabbed hold of my upper arms. The guy stuck his tongue out as he growled, then ran past us, out of sight. My heart thumped in my chest as I caught my breath.
“Scared, Darlin’?” Booker murmured in my ear.
“Yes.” There was no lying. Every year, the same adrenaline of walking around this place in the dark coursed through me, and every year, I was scared when things jumped out at us—as if I wasn’t already expecting it.
“Good.”
Then my hat was being shucked off, and a bag was thrown over my head. My scream was muffled in the scratchy fabric as I was lifted off the ground. His strong grip kept my arms to my sides as he carried me somewhere, but I didn’t struggle.
Instead, my skin hummed in anticipation.
My arms were tied above my head with the bag still blocking my view from what was going on around me. All I could hear were footsteps and their deep breathing asthey strung me up. It’d been minutes since we were in the hall, and the only indication that we were now in a room was a door closing behind us before one of them bound me.
The bag was removed, but little light penetrated my eyes in the dark room. A single candle flickered in the space, faintly illuminating the three men in front of me. Their masks covered their faces, but familiarity coursed over me, giving me slight comfort. I was safe, and yet, the thrill of what was to come wracked my body.
“I think it’s time Henley had his fun, don’t you?” Booker asked, turning his head to Austin. The three of them all wore black cowboy hats, looking nearly identical under the disguises.
Austin kept his gaze locked on me, and behind the mask, I saw his eyes heat. “I think so.”
Booker approached me, stopping directly in front of me where I stood in the center of the room. My arms were pulled taught, my body on display, save for the little bit of clothing I wore. He grabbed my chin, searching my face. “Are you going to be a good little slut for my friend, Darlin’?”
I nodded.
His fingers gripped my chin harder. “Use your words like a good girl, and maybe I won’t punish you for keeping that mouth shut.”
I rolled my lips together, debating if I should obey. I’d listened to everything he demanded of me thus far, and tonight, I wanted to see what happened if I didn’t. I shook my head.
Booker’s eyes were twin flames of charcoalas he moved his hand from my chin to my neck in a flash, squeezing my windpipe shut.
I had no time to inhale before he cut my breathing off, and my lips parted as I tried to suck in air. His other hand pulled my tiny crop-top down past one of my breasts, exposing the flesh. He brought his hand back, slapping my breast. The sting flowed through me, along with the burn of my lungs.
