Page 137 of Illicit Heir

"I said to strip. Don't make me say it another time," he warns.

I don't know what else to do. I slowly remove my clothes until I'm in my bra and underwear.

"All of it," he demands, scowling at my belly.

My hands shake so hard I can barely unclasp my bra.

He points to the floor. "Pick up your clothes."

I do as instructed, feeling vulnerable and wishing I could crawl into a hole.

He grabs them from me. "You'll get fresh clothes when you've earned them."

Fresh panic fills me. "What are ya talking about?"

He glances over my body, lingering for too long on my belly, and then locks his eyes with mine. Disgust fills his face. "Like I said, when ya earn clothes, ya can wear them. Till then, ya can be the filthy whore that ya are, and whores don't deserve anything." He leaves the room, taking my clothes with him.

I turn and stare at the bed. It's just a mattress. There are no pillows or blankets. It's the only thing in the room.

I completely break down, sitting on the mattress and sobbing. I don't know how long it lasts, and I try to sleep, but I can't.

When the sun barely peeks over the horizon, I realize no blinds or drapes exist. I go to the window, look down, then step back. Caleb's men stare up at me, and I realize how exposed I am.

I go to the other side of the bed and sit on the floor, not wanting to be anywhere someone might be able to see me. I'm unsure how long I'm in there before the door opens and one of his maids walks in with a tray.

I pull my knees to my chest tighter, trying to cover myself.

She looks at me with disgust. "Caleb says you're a traitor. Why would ya do that? Tommy was your uncle."

"Shut your fucking mouth and mind your own business," I seethe.

She gives me a haughty look. "Don't worry. I serviced him last night for ya."

Does she think I'm going to be jealous? She can service him all she wants. I just glare at her and shake my head. "Ya disgust me."

She scoffs. "No, Lauren. I'd give ya respect and call ya an Ahern, but you're no longer worthy of being Tommy's niece. Here's your food. Caleb said to make sure ya eat it." She leaves it and walks out of the room.

I don't move for a while, then I hear Caleb's voice seemingly come from nowhere. "You've been ordered to eat. I suggest that ya do. And every last bite."

I look around the room and then glance up. In the corner, there's a small speaker and camera. I swallow hard, lift the tray, and gape at the tiny wiener-shaped pieces of meat. The small card states, Squirrel Dick.

I squeeze my eyes shut in disgust. I try to swallow the bile down but can't. I run to the en suite bathroom and throw up in the toilet.

I stay in the bathroom a long time until Caleb's voice orders, "I said to eat it. If ya don't eat it in the next ten minutes, I'm cutting the baby out of ya."

I force myself to get off the cold tile. I go back into the room and stare at the overcooked organ.

There's no way I can eat it.

I have to.

No, I can't.

Caleb's voice booms, "It goes down ya, or I'm cutting the baby out. Last warning. Take your pick, whore."

There's no choice. Caleb doesn't make threats he doesn't follow through on.

Somehow, I force myself to eat the food, swallowing down the bile every time it tries to come back up, until everything is eaten.

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