Page 35 of Don't Say A Word

Marcel freezes, eyes wild with bloodlust. He takes a step back from the girl, running his hands through his hair as though soothing his rage. His breaths are heavy and pained. Star pulls herself off the ground and resumes her position, kneeling beside me.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper.

She doesn’t acknowledge me. She keeps her eyes trained on the ground, one eye so swollen it’s almost fully closed. Blood drips from her nose and stains her teeth.

Because of me.

No.

Because of them.

She holds her body so still, I wonder if she feels the pain at all.

“Crawl.”

I drop to my knees, hair falling around my face and start to crawl.

“What do you say?” His voice has lost its rage.

“It’s my pleasure to obey your command.” I struggle but I make it sound believable, well, believable enough. I crawl in a circuit around the room, just like Star did, and come to a stop at his feet.

I am broken.

I am ashamed.

“Look at me.” The command is almost a whisper.

I lift my eyes, ignoring the tears that are freely rolling down my cheeks, dreading the next words, begging him not to say them.

“Open your knees.”

A sob escapes. I hesitate, looking over to Star. But she still has her eyes trained on the ground. I wonder if she’s spotted the red stone.

Marcel lifts his hand and I slide my knees open, sinking closer to the ground, sinking further into despair.

And then I wait for those next words.

But they never come.

Instead, Ryker turns, nodding to Marcel. “You may leave.” He jerks his head toward Star. “Take her with you.”

Marcel lifts his chin at Star, indicating she should stand, and then walks over, looming above me, his dark hair falling into his eyes. He hovers like that for a while and I meet his gaze, hoping every ounce of loathing is clear in my expression.

Then he spits.

It hits my face, most of it landing on my lips and I instantly gag, spitting onto the ground, wiping my face clear. Marcel’s hand raises, but Ryker stops it mid-air.

“Touch her and fucking die.”

Those malice-filled eyes glare at me, scalding my skin as they dance over every inch. He feigns coming toward me again, jerking his head as though he’s about to spit, but I don’t flinch. As long as Ryker’s here, I’m safe from this depraved man.

Star is not.

There is no fear as she follows Marcel. She does not turn to look at me as he clips a collar around her neck. Her body jerks forward as he tugs on the lead. And then she is gone.

I cannot stop the trembling as I kneel at Ryker’s feet. My teeth hurt from being clenched together. The nails of my fingers are digging so hard into my palms, I’m sure they have drawn blood.

My captor squats, balancing on his heels, elbows resting on his knees. He tilts my chin and I allow him, lifting my eyes to meet his.

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