Page 64 of Cruel God

“Stop!” My scream filled the night sky. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Hope,” Colton started. “What are you saying? This man—”

“—saved me.” I breathed out. “This man saved me.”

“What?” His eyes narrowed. “He didn’t fucking save you. They kidnapped you—him and his fucking satanic father.”

I closed my eyes and shook my head lightly. “It’s not that simple.”

“Jesus Christ. Of course, it’s that simple.”

“I was kidnapped, yes. I was hurt, yes. I endured the kind of horror most people couldn’t even imagine. But not by him. Not by his hand.”

“Jesus,” he snapped. “Can you not see how these fucking people brainwashed you?” He pressed his finger hard against his skull. “They fucked up your mind, Hope. This man, this sick fucker gave you a false sense of security.” Colton looked at Rex. “You don’t deserve to fucking breathe.”

“Your insults are futile, Mr. Riggs.”

“Fuck you!”

“Colton, stop,” I pressed, and moved closer. “Please stop this. I know this doesn’t make sense to you, but it’s not as black and white as you’re making it out to be. And no matter how hard I try to explain it to you, you will never be able to understand. I love him, Colton. I love him with all my heart.”

“You’re right,” he snarled, tightening his hold on the gun. “I won’t understand because it’s fucked up, and you need to see a doctor. I know people who can help you, Hope. But you have to trust me. You have to believe me when I say that whatever you’re feeling for this man isn’t real.”

“How would you know?” I leaned my head to the side, taking another step closer. “How would you know what I’m feeling?”

“Butterfly, stop. Don’t go any closer. At my side, now.”

There was no hesitation as I obeyed him, walking back and slipping in next to him, taking my place at his side. It felt right. It was how it was supposed to be.

“You call that love? He demands, and you obey? That’s not fucking love, Hope. They call it Stockholm Syndrome. Do you have any idea what this man has done? Do you know what this evil fucker is capable of?”

I inched closer to Rex, slipping my hand in his. “I do. I know what he’s capable of. But it doesn’t change what I feel for him.”

“Do you know what he did to Lily? Or rather, what he made her do?”

Rex snorted. “Sure, let’s tell her what I made Lily do right after we tell her what you did to her. How you fucked her, leaving lashes, bruises, and welts all over her body night after night. You think you’re better than me, Riggs? You’re not. We’re all fucking animals. We all have a dark side. But unlike you, I choose not to hide who I am. I fucking embrace it.”

“Do not fucking pretend like you know me. Hope,” Colton turned his attention to me, “let me get you and Lily out of here.”

“No.” I shook my head. “No. I choose him, Colton. You hear me? I choose him, and I won’t go.”

My brother straightened, his expression hard and that of pure resolve, aiming his gun at Rex. “You leave me no choice, Hope. I’ll kill him right here, right now.”

“Not if I pull the trigger first,” Rex said, straightening his aim.

“Stop this, please!” Tears started to stream down my face. “Colton, if you kill Rex, you might as well kill me, too. I won’t be able to survive without him.”

It was true. All I knew was him. I survived because of him. What would I do in the outside world without him? I didn’t know how to survive on my own. How to be anything other than a submissive and a pet. I feared the outside world more than I’d ever fear him.

“That’s bullshit!” Colton shouted just as lightning cracked through the sky, followed by the loud rumble of thunder. It was war in the heavens, just as there was a war raging between Rex and Colton.

I knew Rex wouldn’t let Colton take me. He’d kill Colton before he’d even get the chance. And judging by the sheer hatred etched on Colton’s face, he wasn’t going to let me stay. He’d rather kill Rex than leave here without me.

It was a stalemate. No one could make a move without sacrificing themselves.

“Hope,” Lily’s voice slipped through my thoughts. “Colton is right.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What?”

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