Page 22 of Vicious Intentions

Rain was pouring down outside, bolts of lightning flashing through the massive floor to ceiling windows. Still no sign of Kelly.

“Where are you?” I asked under my breath, noticing Jonas from the corner of my eye. My skin crawled again, unable to lose the feeling that he’d somehow known I was hiding. Oh, God. This was so bad. He wore a smile that could only be described as manic, the look in his eyes crazed. I gave him a once over on purpose, controlling my breathing.

The crowd was suddenly suffocating. I wasn’t used to them. Most of my classes were small in comparison to others, the majority of students studying business and marketing. My heart drifted into my throat, a light fog forming around my eyes. I needed air but refused to leave without her. Damn it. I’d only been gone for two minutes.

After searching the entire ballroom, I thought I noticed her bright blonde hair from a distance, although I couldn’t confirm given the distance. Relief flooded me, and I quickly followed. She was heading through another doorway, glancing over her shoulder at least once. Was there fear in her eyes? And who was the man leading her? I pushed my way through the guests, wrapping my fingers around the lever just before the door closed. Without thinking, I ventured into the hallway.

When the door shut, I heard a soft click and realized the area was private, no one getting in without a code. What was she doing here? Was this where all the incidents of debauchery took place or where they killed their victims?

My thoughts drifted to what she’d told me earlier—that the members of the Elite were sadists. Was she being punished for the fact that I’d mouthed off to one of the Elite? I knew enough about the practice of BDSM to understand that even though it was supposed to be consensual, there were those who enjoyed inflicting pain for the art of doing so.

There were a few people up ahead of me, all moving toward something. I could feel it. I tried not to call attention to myself, hanging back as I trailed behind them. The design of the hallway reminded me of catacombs leading into a cave, and I could swear we were going underground given the slight slope of the floor. If I was correct, that meant there was likely no other way out than the one I’d entered.

I was fooling myself by continuing to say I could handle the situation. Terror ripped through me, but I refused to allow anything to happen to Kelly. She’d do the same for me.

Strange murmurs from a distance kept my attention rapt, although those walking ahead of me remained quiet. I could swear there was reverence as well as purpose in their steps. I hung back as one by one they began to disappear through an oversized doorway. What little light illuminated the corridor was limited, almost as if the room was glowing. The closer I came, the more I realized the lights were flickering. Candles.

I darted my head into the doorway, realizing I was correct, although the candles were flameless instead of being real. That didn’t change the fact the glow only made whatever was going on seem erotic in nature. While I could barely understand what I was seeing, I was certain Kelly was being led up to the stage.

No. No! This was crazy.

Only after rising onto my tiptoes did I realize the girl I’d followed wasn’t Kelly after all. Before I had a chance to venture any further inside, I felt a savage pull and was jerked back into the hallway.

Thick fingers wrapped around my throat, and I was pushed against the wall. I immediately slammed my fists against a hard body, fighting with everything I had. “Get off me.”

“I heard you were a little fighter.” The stranger tightened his hold, his fingers digging into my skin.

I wanted to respond, but my heart was in my throat. He had a vengeful look on his face, his strong jaw clenched tightly. I involuntarily dragged my tongue across my dry lips, and he snickered.

“You’re in a restricted area, little pet.”

Little pet.

I was thrown by the use of the two words, and my body’s immediate reaction, my nipples taut.

While I didn’t recognize the man’s deep voice, the husky tone was unsettling. The dim lighting made his features appear ominous. The stranger was very tall, at least six foot five, dwarfing me easily. He was broad shouldered with huge arms, the muscles bulging against his suit jacket. His scent reminded me of a forest just after a rainstorm, fresh and inviting. Yet I sensed danger infused with his use of power.

I continued to fight him even as it felt as if the breath was being sucked from my body.

Nothing could hide his gorgeous, carved physique. His jaw was chiseled, his lips meant for kissing. I blinked several times, fighting the ridiculous urge to see what his mouth tasted like.

“And you’re a very bad girl.”

His seductive tone was tainted with a hint of implied danger. It was also a clear indication Jonas had seen me.

“Don’t touch me.”

He laughed. “I take what I want. That’s a privilege afforded to members of the house.”

His lips were dangerously close to mine, his heated breath cascading across my face.

“Let. Me. Go.” My voice was raspy, my throat closing.

“Mmm… Is that what you really want, Sage?”

Oh, God. He knew my name.

“No,” I squeaked.

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