Page 98 of Depraved
“I’m glad.” I nod. “I’ll never have to mourn. So I guess, thanks for that.”
His mouth opens to say something fucked up but shuts immediately as he holds his smoke in between his teeth and scrambles from the booth to stand.
He looks downright afraid. I glance around to see similar expressions, and I know my ride’s here. Pushing from the booth, I stand and turn around to see two men in dark suits standing at the door.
Without speaking, I start toward the men, and my father calls from behind, “Don’t forget what I said, Sarah.” I give him the middle finger as I walk straight out the opened door, letting it close behind me. My eyes squint, trying to adjust to the dimming light of the late afternoon because I was in complete darkness.
A car door opens, and one of the men behind me grunts, “In.” I climb in, immediately relieved that I’m alone. No Declan in sight.
The suits climb in on either side of me as the driver gets in and starts the car. My body is squished, even in the back of the SUV, because I’m being swallowed up by the two gargantuan men.
The tires kick up rocks as the car peels out of the parking lot, darting into traffic quickly and causing me to ram into the suit next to me.
“Jesus. Is that necessary…are you trying to kill us?” I shoot out, gripping the seat between my legs to right myself.
A strong hand connects with my mouth as my head shoots backward, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth. My hands shoot to my face to where the pain stabs at me.
“Keep your mouth shut, bitch.”
Tears spring to my eyes as my mouth throbs. I wipe my hand over my lip, seeing crimson on my fingertips. I should keep my mouth shut. I should listen. I should.
“Is your boss going to like it when you bring him damaged goods?” I challenge.
Suit number one grabs my hair, pulling my head back with such ferocity I’m sure he’s pulled the strands out of my scalp. Suit number two comes close to my face, his eyes filled with his enjoyment as a pained whimper catches in my mouth.
“Your husband told us we could have as much fun as we wanted with you…but today’s your lucky day because dirty, filthy whores aren’t our type. Maybe after he cleans you up, we can show you what we specialize in?”
A sharp hit to my stomach forces a scream from my mouth as I’m released to double over in pain. I stay like that, bent over myself and quiet, hugging my legs, wishing that I’d fall asleep, wake up, and realize this was all just a nightmare.
The bolt on the door sounds as the locks are removed from the outside. I scramble to my feet off the old, pissed-on mattress that’s in the room. Pulling my zip up around my body tighter, I cross my arms, preparing for who’s coming in.
Declan walks through the door, smiling like the arrogant prick he is.
“You’ve looked better,” he greets, leaning his head in, sniffing, and recoiling as if I’m disgusting. “I’m surprised to see you here. I trust you’re comfortable.”
“Sure, as much as anyone can be when they’re beaten and thrown in a fucking dungeon.”
He rolls his eyes. “That’s a bit dramatic—there’s a mattress. And from what I heard, you’re to blame for the beating you got. Seems your smart mouth keeps getting you in trouble.”
The look in his eyes makes me nervous. He isn’t leveling me with anger—it’s excitement. Declan wants to hurt me, and he’s waiting for me to give him a reason.
“You’re right. Let’s start again. I’m here, cooperating, and ready to behave,” I lie.
Declan is a dead man walking, and I’m just playing him at his own game.
He walks toward me, pushing a hand into his pants pocket. “Mmmm. I don’t know. You’re a sneaky one. You managed to evade your father for eight years, but he catches you now? Where’d he grab you at?”
“A bar. The exchange was made there. You should be celebrating. You’ve won. They discarded me, treated me like a piece of trash. You were right. They are the monsters.” I keep my eyes on his, saying each word with more conviction than the next.
It’s the best con job I’ve ever pulled, but Declan tilts his head, his lips pulling up in the corners. He’s trying to seem friendly, but the disbelief in his eyes remains.
“You could prove it to me. Show me how committed you are to being here,” he offers.
The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, fear creeping over me.
“By?” I swallow nervously.
“Drop to your knees and crawl to me.” He grins as he squats down and claps his hands as if he’s calling a dog.
