Page 108 of Resistant

Another song starts, and other couples join us on the dance floor. It’s soon crowded, and I feel a little relief from being the center of attention.

“Relax, Angel it’s all going to be fine. You are my good girl. I’ll treat you like my queen.”

I shiver and his expression becomes feral.

“Yes, I thought you might like that, Angel.”

My face falls when I see Declan approaching us on the dance floor.

“Mind if I cut in?”

“I don’t think so, Senator.”

“Isn’t this part of it, Senator Richards, sharing your new slave with all the other ranking men? The others have voted and declared me the winner of the spoils. You can’t refuse me and cause a scene.”

Knox steps away, rage crossing his features so quickly I almost miss it.

“I’ll be back to collect you soon Brynn.” He bows and takes his leave.

Declan apparently has no compunctions about who or whose I am, because he immediately pulls me in close to him, like a husband or a lover. I lean against him closing my eyes, positive this will be the last time I ever touch him.

I hear the non-Brynn screaming at me from somewhere far away in my mind, that I will pay, and I need to stop this right now. She tells me to go back to Knox, my true love. I breathe in his scent; my steps falter and his arms tighten around my back. He cradles me in his arms, I can hear his heart thundering under my head.

“Angel.” He whispers.

I stiffen and gag slightly and move to pull away. He grasps my hand tightly and pulls me back in. His lovely face is distorted in grief.

“No, Brynn, No.” His voice is deep, and a thrill runs through me.

“I’m not your Angel, not anymore.”

His jaw clenches and he recovers, swaying and pulling me back into the dance.

“I’ve come for you,” he murmurs.

“Tonight, you’ll go back to the hotel, and enter the connecting door in your room. I have everything under control, don’t be afraid, baby. I’ve got you.”

The non-Brynn in my head screeches at me again, and I find myself pulling away from Declan so our bodies don’t touch.

“No, Declan, he’ll kill me. He’ll kill my boys. I can’t let that happen.”

“Baby, he doesn’t have your boys. Please trust me. Let me get you out. After the contract is signed, and consummated, I won’t be able to take you. It’s now or never baby.”

My pulse hammers in my throat. I slide my hand over his neck to keep him close, one last time. Whatever happens, I won’t allow this moment to be ruined, I’ll get as much time with him as I can, even if I have to blister my feet in these shoes and stay on this dance floor. He squeezes me to him.

“Brynn, baby. Where’s my princess?”

“Dead.”

He winces.

“No, she’s there. I can still feel her. Relax, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“It’s too late for that, Declan.”

I stifle a sob and turn away, hiding my face.

The song changes to a faster tempo and he smiles.

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