Page 80 of Sweet, Sweet Jewel: A Sweet Treats Novel

She spun on her heels, her mind flooded with only one thought: run. But Kross caught up to her easily. He slapped an arm around her torso and violently dragged her back to his chest.

She flapped against him, the wind knocked out of her.

No. She couldn’t go through this again. Couldn’t live another moment at Kross’s mercy.

Her legs bucked and flailed. Her arms thrust against his chest. She was a wild animal with no coordination or strength, hopelessly engaging a predator that had seen and conquered far more skilled than her.

Something slapped against her mouth and nose.

She tasted an acidic flavor as her tongue darted out in a violent cry.

The world turned hazy. Her body went slowly limp. Her senses heightened. She could hear every roll of tires from the traffic in the far distance. Could feel the hit of Kross’s breath on her ear like tiny hammers. His fingers curling into her T-shirt. The scratchy prickle of his beard against her sensitive neck.

Someone save me.

Finn’s face came to mind, but she rejected it just as everything went black.

* * *

“I don’t want to see him again, Snake,” Jewel glared at Kross’s right-hand man. “Not after the last time.” Her eyes slid over the gifts Snake had brought, stopping on the expensive dresses before she rejected them with a flick of her wrists. “Go away.”

“He won’t take no for an answer.”

“Tell him if he touches me again, I’ll kill him and then I’ll kill myself.”

Kross’s guard laughed. “You don’t like to watch?”

She blinked at him. Kross’s people usually didn’t speak to her, much less admit that they knew what he was up to.

“You’re his favorite. He will do anything you say.”

Jewel stiffened, recalling the way Kross had pushed her on the bed and forced himself on her a few weeks ago. She’d been so grateful when he didn’t call again, but now he was trying to make things right?

No. She was done.

“Favorite, my backside. Kross only cares about himself. Now take everything back before you get robbed out here.” She started to close the door.

He shoved his hand into the gap without blinking. “I was told if you didn’t come willingly, to bring you by force.”

* * *

She cracked her eyes open.

Blinked once. Twice.

The haze cleared itself, but the darkness lingered like a stain on a piece of paper. She sat up slowly, feeling woozy and disoriented. Little by little, the shadows shifted so she could notice slight outlines in the grey.

Where was she?

Forcing herself to stand, Jewel ignored the waves of nausea that washed her gut and stumbled forward. She held her hands out in front of her, reaching for a door or exit and moving carefully.

The scent of wet earth filled the air.

It must have rained recently.

She slid a hand over her mouth, marveling at her intense thirst. Water. She needed something to drink.

Escape first. Worry about water later.

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