Page 2 of Claimed By the Villain
I plant both feet against the bars to use as leverage and yank the chain with everything I’ve got, choking him.
In our plan, he’d pass out quickly. But in real life, it takes at least two minutes for his face to start turning gray.
My arms are numb from the effort, and just when I think we’re not going to make it, that he’ll break free, I feel his body go limp—his arms drop to his sides.
Just like we agreed, Sean slips his hand through his own bars and grabs the key.
He doesn’t take long to unlock all three of us.
“Go,” I tell him.
“What are you gonna do?”
“Nothing. Just making sure he doesn’t come after us,” I lie.
He looks at me, uncertain, but then he and the other boy start up the stairs.
I scan the room, looking for a knife. I don’t find one—but I do spot a baseball bat propped against the wall.
I smile as I walk over to pick it up.
I’ve always liked playing ball. Too bad I don’t have one here.
His head will have to do.
Chapter 1
Thirteen years later
“Lucifer, don’t go,” I beg, running after him all the way to the gate.
I didn’t sleep. I spent the whole night listening for any sound at the door, ever since I heard him tell Martin, my brother, that he was leaving today.
Leavingagain.
He never stays for long, but this time… something in my heart tells me it’ll be a while before he comes back.
There was a time when we were five. A happy family.
Well, not a real family, since Lucifer isn’t related to us by blood—but he’sours.
He’smine.
And now, he’s going to leave me.
I’ve gotten used to his coming and going, but for the past two years, it feels like each time he leaves, it takes him longer and longer to return.
And it’s not just that.
His silence bothers me.
He’s never been very talkative, but now, I think Lucifer’s built a whole world inside his head.
I know that when he travels, he works in the samebusinessas my brother.
I know what they do.
What Dad used to do when he was alive.
