Page 470 of Cheaters: A Dark Romance Anthology

The anger helps me forget that I’m on display for anyone in the room.

“Enjoying yourself, Reed?” The one who likes to smoke comes up behind him, startling him from his view. The warning in his voice is clear, and Reed snaps his eyes away from me, leaving me feeling cold.

“I think we need a reminder of what they’re here for, right?” Elias jokes. “Shall we see what this one's learnt?” He runs his hands to my shoulder and around my neck, tilting my head up towards him. His smile begs for pain and cruelty, but I fight him with my stare.

I sense rather than see other people joining us, and the anticipation of what’s to come hangs thick in the air.

“Careful,” the smoking one warns. “You know the rules.”

“Oh, lighten up. This one’s a handful. Besides, they’ve been instructed to behave. If they can’t take a few instructions, then they're of no value.” He lets go of my neck but pinches my nipple harshly, forcing me to cry out.

He smirks as he grabs a tumbler from the bar and takes it to one of the seats. He’s not told me to move, so I stay where I am, closer to the man with eyes I want to trust.

“Dance for me. Make me hard. Make me want to fuck you.” He spits the command at me and shoves himself down in the chair before undoing his belt and top button.

I glance around at the other men in the bar, hoping someone might step in, but nobody speaks. Elias snaps his fingers, and a girl from behind the bar appears to fill his glass.

“Now!” he shouts.

I jump and move a step towards him. It’s nothing more than what I did yesterday. I danced for him. Or rather, I danced to save Miri. And I can do it again.

My mind conjures an alternative reality where I’m not here, and I start to sway. My movements grow more confident. I end up throwing my anger and hatred into the mix as my arms slide over my thigh, up my stomach, across my breasts – all in front of him. I turn, bend, and copy the moves we were shown in training. With the thong, he’ll be able to see everything I know he wants to get his hands on.

It’s disgusting, but it’s only an act. The tremor of humiliation and fear hovers in the background of my mind, but I fight through it.

My gaze looks to the bar and to Reed. He’s as fixated on me as I hope Elias is, and there’s a pulse of energy as we lock eyes. For a moment, I drop my shield and try pleading with him for help, but it’s that moment when a hand as strong as steel wraps around my neck. I gasp as his other hand pushes my G-string to the side and he shoves his fingers up inside of me. He’s so rough that I catch my breath, unable to breathe.

My jaw clenches as his hand grows tighter around my neck.

Reed stands, slamming his drink down, and I watch, hoping he’ll stop this, but the other one shoves him back in his seat.

“Elias!” he commands. “Enough.”

“Nice and snug,” he whispers. “I’m going to enjoy shoving my cock into your sister.” He pulls his fingers out and pushes his dick against my backside, just to prove he’s up to the task.

With a laugh, he pushes me forward like a used toy, and I stumble, still gasping for breath. For a split second, I want to lash out, to attack him and scratch his eyes from his ugly face, but Reed moves from the bar towards me – coming to my aid, I hope.

“I’ll take her back downstairs,” he offers.

“No. I’ll do it.” The smoking man takes a long drag of his cigarette before grabbing my arm and threading it through his. His suit is sharp, and everything about him exudes power.

“You spoil all of my fun,” Elias calls to us, but I don’t look back.

I don’t look back.

Even if I want to see if Reed is still watching me.

Chapter Seven

JACKSON

Driving is always useful.

Clears my head, makes me think about nothing and no one.

I need that.

Looking behind me in the rear-view mirror, I take the turn to lead me back into London. I don’t know how long I’ve been driving for, and I don’t give a damn either. I just woke up this morning and chose driving rather than going in. It’s not like I’m necessary at my own club, anyway. It’s theirs until all this is done, and even then, when they’ve headed back to the States, I’ve got a feeling they’re going to think of it as their own going forward, too.

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