Page 89 of Resistant

It doesn’t seem to affect Knox and he hasn’t commented on my lack of engagement with him. My silence is preferable to him and for now, it makes my life a little easier to bear.

Knox snaps the paper open to another page and startles me from my thoughts. I jump in my chair, and he smiles over at me.

“Friday, we have a function to attend. I expect you to remain on your best behavior. Should you choose to act out, there will be many men available to assist me into forcing your submission.”

He’s quiet for a few moments, waiting to see if I have anything to say about this announcement.

I look at my knees and recall how roughly he treated me a few nights ago. He’s graduated from forcing me to my knees to tying me to furniture and whipping me before he fucks my mouth.

He’s not broken the skin when he beats me, but his reticence is temporary at best. After he fucked my mouth, he crooned to me as he held me in his bed, and I longed for sleep to help me escape his arms for a little while.

“I’ll have a styler come on Friday morning to help you choose a dress and get ready for the event. It’s important that you reflect the caliber of my status, it will be the first time the public will get a chance to find out who you are. I don’t need to explain the gravity of your situation and the consequences if you don’t act accordingly, do I Brynn?”

I shake my head at him, glancing at his face and seeing the steely anger reflected back at me.

“It’s too soon for this, you are not ready. But I don’t have a choice, so I’ll have to force you.”

I look back down at my knees and wait patiently for him to excuse me from the table. My lips wobble as I realize how far I have sunk, even in my own mind.

“You will be charming to everyone you meet. Your goal is to make everyone you meet feel comfortable around you. There will be many clamoring to meet you.”

“I understand, Mr. Swann.”

Knox gives me a rare smile, one full of approval and pride.

“Very nice Brynn. You are excused.”

I stand and softly make my way out of the room and hurry upstairs. I stare at the ceiling lying on my bed and my brain stumbles through the opportunities that may come my way attending the event.

Where it will be held, and how much freedom will I be given? I want desperately to turn on the phone I have hidden, but I know the danger associated with using it.

When Knox was out of town, I turned it on and within 30 seconds, Knox was calling me on my government phone. I still don’t know if that was a coincidence. But I haven’t dared to turn it on again.

It’s Thursday, the day before the party and I’m picking at my steak dinner. I’ve lost a lot of weight, and sometimes I notice Knox looking at me in concern, but my weight doesn’t bother him enough to force me to eat.

I discovered a gym in another wing of the house and spend lots of time there, eating only enough that I won’t pass out from dehydration or low blood sugar. My body is changing again, I’m gaining muscle I lost after The Before.

“I have to say Brynn, I’ve been pleased with you lately. I hesitate to reward you since you’ll get a large reward tomorrow, but I want you to know I’ve noticed your restraint.”

“Thank you, Mr. Swann.” I whisper.

He sets down his knife and stares at me over his plate. I meet his stare, refusing to back down. Mostly, I look away, but in this moment, I want him to know that I’m still here, unbroken.”

He smiles at me.

“I haven’t heard from Declan since he left, but I know he’s struck out on his own. We found the car abandoned about 24 hours from here and the tracking device was attached to a rusty old Toyota Camry.

We don’t know where he is, or if he’s reached your children. The phone I gave to him was smashed and left in the passenger seat. It’s been months since he left Brynn. He’s not coming back for you.”

I feel myself deflate under his stare.

“You should go to bed. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”

He looks down at his food and ignores me as I make my way to my room, doubt and fear swirling through my mind on a destructive tilt awhirl that won’t stop spinning.

I’m standing with a group of men, champagne in my hand and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. A tall reedy man with glasses falling down his nose and a shock of wayward curly hair is smiling down at me.

“Brynn, it’s so lovely to meet you. It’s refreshing that Knox has let you join us. I’m anxious to work with you in the lab and see what we can do about eliminating radiation sickness. So many people are still suffering.”

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