Page 62 of Jig's Last Dance

“Please,” I sob, flapping my hand around.

Shawn’s eyes darken, and she cocks her head to the side before popping me in the mouth.

“Ow,” I mutter, stepping back. “A little warning would have been nice.”

She shrugs. “It’s better when you’re not anticipating it.”

Staring at her wide-eyed, I finally turn away. “I don’t want to know.”

Ignoring her smirk, I lean into the mirror and analyze my puffy mouth with a grim smile. Is it enough? Who the fuck knows?

“What’s going on, Ali?” Shawn asks.

“Bad shit,” I say, meeting her concerned gaze in the mirror.

“Ben?”

I shake my head and lower my gaze. “He won’t talk to me.”

“Dick.”

“Yeah. I’ve gotta go.”

Reaching for the door, I pause when she grabs my shoulder. “Ali? I . . . can I help?”

Sagging, I close my eyes and smile. “I don’t know.”

“Okay,” she exhales. “Call me.”

Nodding, I exit and speed walk to the entrance. Marco is waiting for me with a frown, but I ignore him as I slide inside. He’s quiet, thank fuck, and I head straight for my room when I get home.

Once inside, I close the door behind me and sag against the wood. What now?

“I’m disappointed.”

Whipping my head up, I stiffen and clench my hands. Why is Sal in here?

His steady gaze makes me squirm, and I bite my lip before wincing because I forgot about the pop to my mouth.

Hissing out a breath, I say as calmly as possible, “I don’t understand.”

He cocks his head to the side, and I cringe against the door. He’s looking at me with eyes so cold, I shudder, and every thought I had about him before this becomes nothing but a child’s fantasy. This is the real deal, and I’m fucked.

Stepping around the bed, he approaches me, and I freeze when he wraps his hand around my neck, caressing his thumb down the tender skin. My eyes are wide as I flinch and suck in a breath.

“You chose to enter my world. Now you’re mine. You do as I say. Now, do you understand?”

“Yes,” I whisper, swallowing.

Increasing the pressure, he smiles, and a chill races across my skin. “Then please explain where you went today.”

“I—”

Pressing on my neck, he cuts me off to say, “And no lies, hm?”

My pulse is fluttering wildly, and I maintain eye contact even though I want to look away so badly that my toe is tapping the floor.

“I found a picture,” I say in a rush.

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