Page 73 of Unbreakable

Once my bladder is completely empty I stand, pulling up my pants along with my panties and turn to the sink to wash my hands. I allow my eyes to skim over what’s within my reach I could possibly use to make my escape when I feel a lurking presence behind me.

“I wouldn’t think about it, especially if you prefer your current method of breathing. Now if you want a machine doing it for you like your mother, I’d be glad to oblige you.” I can feel the glee in voice as he speaks, he’s got to be fucking psychotic.

Knowing I need to make an escape, I fist my hand and swing aiming directly for his head, but he catches my fist in a powerful grip mid swing, taking the butt of his gun and hitting me upside the face with so much force I fall to the ground in agonizing pain.

He drags me from the room with my fist still gripped in his hand, the friction of the carpet against my bare skin causing a burning sensation. Not wanting to cry in front of them, giving him the pleasure of pain, I bite down on the inside of my jaw and fight back the pain.

“Fucking behave or next time you can piss and shit all over yourself for all I care.” He drags me up to my feet, I’m still disoriented from the hit so I don't even try and fight back. Before I know it, I’m back in the restraints and he’s across the room slamming the door behind him on the way out.

My head is pounding and the room is spinning, I close my eyes trying to find some relief, but there’s none. Taking a deep breath, I pray for darkness to take me.

I’m woken in shock from ice cold water hitting my face, I try to sit up but I’m jerked back to the bed by the restraints.

“There she is, you’re sleeping a lot today. Look at that, already acting out and now your face is marred with a bruise on our special night of announcing our engagement. I’ve talked to Malcolm about that, he knew he wasn’t supposed to leave any visible marks if you got out of line, but he’s more like me than Maxwell. I’m going to let you out of the restraints and you’re to dress in one of your more elegant dresses and do something with your face to cover it.” he tells me as he places the bucket on the ground then moves closer to me, sitting down on the edge of the bed, and reaching his hand out to smooth the wet hair out of my face.

“Remember, I expect complete obedience tonight, a smile on that beautiful face, and for you to appear to be absolutely in love with me. I’ll handle the conversation and when you’re asked a question you answer, and don't be clever or creative with your answers. Disobey in any way and your mother pays the price. Oh and she isn’t the only one who can, I take it you cared about your old roommate at that college you went to, or the owner of that bar, States. No one is out of my reach and accidents happen every day.” He releases me from the restraints just before he stands and leaves the room, Miranda scurrying in as he does and that’s when I see what causes my heart to break, she has two fucking black eyes.

I jump up and run across the room towards her, gathering her in my arms as I profess how sorry I am to her. She pushes me away, shaking her head at me.

“No ma’am, I’m only here to help you get ready, please just let me do that.” she says in a timid voice, and I can hear the tremble in it, she’s afraid and now I am too.

I back away, releasing her from my hold, as I run my hands down the front of my shirt, trying to smooth it out. “Yes, you’re right. I’ll go and take a shower, if you could pick out a dress for me to wear please.” I tell her as I rush to the bathroom, tears already starting to slide down my face.

I can do this. I can do this. I have to think about everyone else and not me. I am no one right now.

I repeat this over and over in my head, hoping to hell that it sinks in and makes this easier.

An hour later I’m dressed and seated on the edge of the bed waiting.

The click of the lock alerts me someone is coming in before the knob begins to turn and the doors open, my captor enters dressed in a black tuxedo.

“You look beautiful and you covered your mishap so well. Shall we head downstairs and join our guests? I hope I don’t have to remind you of the rules again.”

“No, you made yourself perfectly clear.” I weave my arm through his and follow him out of the room, and down the hallway to the stairs. I take a deep gulp of air and paint the fakest smile on my face as we descend the stairs.

I can hear the laughter and chatter of voices before even seeing anyone. The one that causes the most shock is my father, who is seated in his favorite chair with a smile on his face as he talks to a young buxom brunette.

Alexander leads me around the room, introducing me to people, many I don’t know, his grip on my arm tightening anytime he feels I’m about to get out of line, reminding me who’s in control.

He leans down to whisper in my ear, “Behave, don’t make me repeat myself.”

I feel my skin crawl at his breath skimming across my skin. The dominance he’s forcing on me is nothing like Draco and Bash. Alexander fills me with fear and disgust with his dominance, where Bash and Draco excite me, making me crave it, beg for it. All I want to do now is run.

“Ladies, gentlemen. Thank you so much for joining us tonight as we celebrate the engagement of Alexander and my beautiful daughter Arianna, who plan to seal their nuptials on her birthday. If her mother could be here today, she would be gushing in tears at the union between the two of them, she always thought they would make a perfect fit.” my father says with a smile on his face as his eyes are planted on the brunette's chest and I want to vomit.

“Shall we adjourn to the dining room for dinner everyone?” he announces, placing his hand on the small of the brunette’s back leading her towards the dining room.

Alexander tightens his hand on my arm leading me along behind them. I can do this, I just need to make it through the night, then I can find a solution. There’s no way I can live through this and the answer is underneath my fingertips.

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