Page 71 of Merciless

“That’s what you do, isn’t it, Pet? You know you’re beautiful, that your body is sinful, and you use it against every man you meet. Flash them your smile, or a look at that pretty gem in your cunt and they drop to their knees and give you whatever you want.

“Is that why Victor is so enthralled with you?”

The mention of his father touching me makes my body tremble violently.

“What are you trying to get out of him, Pet?”

I shake my head harder.

“It’s something. He might be powerful, wealthy, and have control of this entire town, but something tells me that you’re prowling around him for something other than to be his next wife.

“And then there’s me. You put yourself here.

“Was Daddy not putting out? Although I must be honest, I find that hard to believe. Pretty sure there isn’t a cunt in this town he hasn’t fucked.”

“No. No,” I try to scream, but it comes out muffled and indecipherable.

I whimper when his hand reaches out and wraps around my throat, squeezing just enough to reduce my air.

My eyes burn, the tears coming faster as he looms over me and stares right into my eyes, as if he’ll find all the answers written inside them.

“You want power, Pet? Money? Status?” I shake my head violently as his grip on my throat tightens.

He leans closer, his scent filling my nose.

“I hate to break it to you, Pet. But you’re not going to get any of them.”

I whimper, my traitorous body sagging when he moves closer and licks up my cheek, collecting my salty tears and stealing them for himself.

“So pretty when you cry. But I bet you’ve heard that a time or two before, huh?”

With our eyes locked, he releases my throat and takes a step back.

His gaze is predatory yet full of hunger.

He might taunt me with being a whore and making men bend to my will, but he’s not immune. Either that or beating that guy half to death got him hard.

“Oh, Pet.” He chuckles. “Look at you staring at my dick like it’s your next meal. You think this is for you?” he asks, grabbing his junk. “Silly, silly little Alana.”

He moves, walking behind me, making every single one of my senses come to life.

My skin tingles and my blood heats as I wait for him to do something.

I don’t care what it is. Something. Anything.

Make it hurt. Make me scream. Just… don’t make me wait.

I crane my neck, desperate to see what he’s doing behind me, but he’s out of sight.

Keeping my eyes on the wall ahead, I suck in deep calming breaths in an attempt to slow my racing heart. I refuse to look at the other man to see if he’s still alive or not.

I put him out of my mind as I focus on myself.

Reid’s not going to beat me. Hell, he might not even hurt me. He just wants to torment me.

And he’s stumbled across the perfect way to do it.

Digging up the most painful parts of my existence and rubbing them in my face.

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