Page 57 of Bound by Love
Brie sighed in contentment remembering those days and finally drifted back to sleep again beside Sir.
“Where are you going?”
Brie pretended not to hear Darius as she picked up her pace, her fear making it hard for her to breathe. She’d hoped after the needle incident he would leave her alone, but the tone in his voice let her know that it had only made things worse.
Head down, keep walking, she told herself.
She heard his shoes on the gravel as he ran up behind her. Brie had learned in the past not to run from Darius. It only made things worse for her when she did. Fighting that natural instinct, she continued to walk, knowing he was catching up.
Brie was surprised he did not have his usual entourage with him. Was it possible they had abandoned him after they were sent to the principal’s office a few days ago?
She desperately hoped so. Maybe she could take him on in a one-on-one fight.
Brie cried out when he grabbed her by the shoulder, spinning her around to face him. “I asked you a question, girl.”
She slowly dragged her gaze up to look him in the eyes, taking note of the position of his crotch. She planned to kick hard and run fast, but she knew she only had one chance, and she would pay dearly if she missed.
Darius grabbed her chin and forced her to look up at him. “Well…?” His eyes held a dangerous look, one she hadn’t seen before, and her stomach twisted in fear.
His smile was cruel, his white teeth gleaming against the darkness of his skin. Brie suddenly realized that his entourage had actually been a blessing for her. Even though they held her down, at least they were witnesses. Without an audience acting as a deterrent, who knew what he was capable of?
Brie glanced around, realizing they were alone here. Anything could happen here…
Darius grabbed her wrist and twisted it, forcing her to her knees.
“No…” she cried out piteously.
He frowned. “No?” Twisting a little harder, he made her cry out again. It was obvious he was enjoying his power over her, so she clamped her mouth shut, not wanting to give it to him.
Glancing around desperately, Brie prayed for rescue.
Darius’s eyes became dark with rage. “You snitch. You got me in trouble with my old man.”
He twisted her arm again, bringing tears to her eyes, but she remained silent.
“And Ihatemy old man,” he growled, spitting in her face.
Brie looked down at the ground, wiping her face with her free hand.
Without warning, he slammed his fist into her chest, causing her to fall violently onto her back.
Her chest exploded in pain and she gasped, struggling to catch her breath. He straddled her, holding her wrists down.
“You know the only thing that got me through the beating?”
Brie stared at him, saying nothing.
His smile spread as his eyes flashed with dangerous excitement. “I imagined how I would make you pay.”
Brie felt a cold chill, wondering what terrible thing he had in mind as punishment.
He released one of her wrists and wrapped his hand around her throat, squeezing slowly. Brie struggled under him, the blood pounding in her head as her body fought for oxygen.
He let go and laughed when she coughed, desperately gasping for air.
Before she could regain her breath, he wrapped his hand around her neck again, choking her harder. Her eyes grew wide and she saw flashes of light in her peripheral vision. Her body instinctually thrashed, trying to break his hold.
Darius released her before the darkness closed in.
