Page 42 of Taking

She seemed relaxed, same as before she’d fallen asleep, like she felt fucking safe or some shit.

How was that possible? The fuck…

Lloyd lied.

Jaw clenching, I considered the thought, my disgust over my father growing with every second. He’d wanted her—I didn’t fucking doubt that truth. Those old, supposedly covered records of mine mysteriously showing up in the prosecutor’s hands suggested he had needed me gone. For good. Where I couldn’t fuck with whatever plans he had for his stepdaughter.

If what I speculated was truth, had Lloyd gotten his hands on her? I considered how she’d done a one-eighty from the vibrant wildcat in high school and the depression and lack of…life she’d exhibited while I’d stalked her the previous couple of weeks.

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I whispered a few more curses, my goddamn brain fucked the hell up as pieces of the puzzle in my mind tried to click together.

I hated her.

I wanted to hurt her in every way imaginable.

I lusted for her body and the energy between us that always made me so goddamn hard as a teen that I’d jacked off countless times a day.

Calculating and observant were two traits I’d always prided myself in…how the fuck had I missed the truth? Was it the truth? Or was there another puzzle piece I hadn’t yet been aware of?

Torn and unsure—fucking hating not being in control—I banked the fire and curled up on the uncomfortable couch.

Maybe the morning would bring some clarity before my goddamn restraint snapped.

* * *

I woke hard as a fucking rock. Lust simmering in my balls.

The camera showed she sat all prim and proper on the edge of the bed. Hands lightly clasped on her lap. Facing the door in the dark.

Waiting for me.

Cool and composed when all I fucking wanted was for her to lose her shit and become less than.

I tossed the camera aside and stood in front of her door, hands fisted. Balls throbbing and my head a fucking mess.

I’d dreamed of the night she’d sucked me down like a goddamn queen. Peered up at me with those eyes…innocent and full of need I swore to fucking God I hadn’t imagined.

But I’d seen fear that night too.

I hadn’t been able to break her by keeping her in the darkness, even though the nightlight beside her bed back home had suggested she hated it. Hadn’t brought on tears by forcing the princess to piss in a bowl. Couldn’t even rouse shame to redden her face when standing in front of her while she’d used the toilet and showered.

Breathing deep, I closed my eyes, allowing the thoughts of exactly how I could knock Addilyn Reed down a few pegs.

Take her like the instincts in me demanded. Like my dick ached for.

Regardless of what truth led us to where we both waited for the clash between us, I would have what I’d been dreaming about for over five years.

Couldn’t move forward without it.

No fucking mask stretched over my head—because what would be the point? I would show her the man I was deep inside, the one without restraint, the sick fuck who dreamed of laying waste to her body, her mind.

I would have what I lusted for without asking for it.

Make her cry.

Break the princess I had wanted since the day I first laid eyes on her.

Pushing against my humanity, the part of me that always roused my protective nature toward her, I shoved into her door, my rage and need ruling.

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