Page 21 of Vicious Intentions

Punishment. Given our brutal tastes in providing needed discipline to either a wayward candidate or the women who were required to surrender to us, I had a feeling we’d learn just how much of a fighter the lovely Sage could be. “Yes. I think that’s exactly what needs to happen. Find her, Hunter, and bring her to our playroom.”

Cain grinned. “And I thought you weren’t interested.”

“I’m interested. In fact, I honestly do believe keeping her in a collar and on a leash for the duration of her stay in City of Hope is required.”

“Cristiano, select a single implement for tonight. Choose wisely. The thought isn’t to terrify her just yet.” Cain narrowed his eyes, the sick bastard inside of him eager to provide more than a simple lesson.

“I have just the instrument in mind. Pain and pleasure it is.” I chuckled under my breath.

Hunter laughed. “Then so be it. I’ll return shortly. Then we can begin.”

CHAPTER 6

Sage

Oh my God. Everything I’d heard about the Damned was correct. They were absolute psychopaths who thought they could control everyone around them. I was shaking and wasn’t certain if it was from fear or anger. Why would Kelly’s parents want her to have anything to do with this insanity? Why would they dare push her into marrying one of the assholes?

I took several deep breaths, trying to collect my sanity.

Visions of Theo’s bloodied face remained in the forefront of my mind.

I’d watched as Cristiano had dragged the poor guy from the party room, shoving him into another. Then I’d followed, hiding in the shadows and listening from only a few feet away. No one had paid any attention to my departure, or so I’d hoped, although I could certainly sense there were eyes everywhere. Waiting. Watching.

I’d shifted into a darkened room as he’d stormed by, holding my breath for fear of being caught. Several rumbles of thunder had added to a heightened level of fear, but they’d been unable to mask the brutal thuds indicating the poor kid whisked from the ballroom was getting beaten. Who the hell did these assholes think they were?

Then I’d remained where I was, still trying to catch my breath and calm my nerves. The man who’d been used as a punching bag had limped from the other room, gasping for air. Another man appeared out of the shadows, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. What I’d overheard had horrified me.

“Don’t worry, Jonas. I’m leaving,” the poor guy had said as he’d continued gasping for breath. His lip had been split in two locations, and there was no doubt he’d have two black eyes in a few hours—let alone that his nose would need reconstructive surgery.

Jonas had chuckled, the sound sending an icy chill through my veins. “You fucked with the wrong people, Theodore. You’re lucky you’re still alive.”

“Fuck you, buddy. You can’t touch me, and everyone in this house knows it.”

“Don’t fool yourself. You knew the rules. You broke them. Kill without question. Follow orders. Don’t tell.”

Kill without question. I’d had imagined I’d heard the words. I’d been shocked I hadn’t screamed, merely shrinking further into the darkness of the room, praying to God another member of the Elite wouldn’t grab me in the process.

“I did what was asked of me.”

“You left a witness.”

My mind could barely process what I’d heard. A witness. What was the group really doing? Mafia. I’d been a fool to think the brutal life wouldn’t bleed into their activities. They were trained killers.

“You asshole. I wasn’t sent to kill his wife. That’s sick.”

I managed to dart a quick look into the hallway, almost losing my footing. Jonas had jerked his head up, issuing a primal growl as he glared toward the room I’d hidden inside of. The scar on the side of his face had been almost as terrifying as the moment.

“No. Witnesses.” Jonas had snapped. “Go before I kill you myself.”

As they both passed, Theodore had slapped his hand on the wall, leaving a bloody handprint. It was obvious he’d done so on purpose. I was sick to my stomach. How could this be allowed to happen? How could Kelly be a part of this charade? There was no way my best friend could know what was happening. None.

Still shaking after another two or three minutes had passed, I’d finally eased from my hiding place. I’d decided at that moment that I would force Kelly to leave even if I had to drag her out of the building. I thought about telling my father or going to the authorities, but what good would it do? While I’d purposely tried to ignore the gossip mill threading through the campus, it was obvious that the Elite owned more than just the people working for and around the campus. They owned a good portion of Lexington, Kentucky as well, including the police.

Now taking quick steps and constantly glancing over my shoulder, I returned to the main room, realizing several new people had arrived. As I milled through the crowd, the feeling of being watched continued. Even the girls were scrutinizing me, their hate-filled gazes a clear indication I was an outsider.

In fact, I had a feeling I was the only person invited to the party that wasn’t a member of their private group. My journal continued to plague my mind. I had no desire to become a member, and I planned on convincing Kelly she’d be a fool to accept what her parents believed was good for her. I ignored the harsh glares, thankful that Cristiano hadn’t returned to the room. However, suddenly I had the creepy-crawlies, my skin tingling. While everyone was dancing and drinking, there didn’t seem to be a student in the room who wasn’t watching my every action.

I jumped from the sound of thunder, my yelp attracting even more attention.

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