Page 78 of Ensnared

Myeyes shoot back toDomas his expression darkens.HereleasesLuckyand steps toward me, his face set in narrow-eyed disbelief.Dangerousintent lines his muscles.

“Youwent into my room.”Step.“Withoutpermission.”Step.“Rifledthrough my closet.”Step.“Andstolefrom me?”

Panic.PANIC.Damnit, why can’tImove?I’mfrozen still; someone’s dipped me in ice.

“I—Itwas a bet.Ihad to.Ilost, andIhadto do a dare, andIdidn’t have a choice, andI—”

Dom’sbrows lower.Itisn’t a pleasant expression. “Interestingthat you’re more afraid ofLucky.”Step.“Thanme.”

He’sclose now, andI’mquivering.Forthe first time in years,Istart praying under my breath.Mylegs need to start working.Yesterday.

God, he’s huge.Washe always this big?

Domtenses, andIsee the moment he decides to pounce.

Luckymust too, because he yells, “Run,Eden!”

Domlunges and—finally—startled into movement,Itwist away with a shriek.AsItry to flee, though,Islam intoBeau’schest.Withblatant enjoyment, he grasps my upper arms, andIgive him a terrified, wide-eyed look.

Whendid he move?Howdid he get behind me?

“It’llgo easier if you submit to your punishment, darlin’,” he murmurs, his high school–sweetheart face filled with predatory delight.

Isqueak in fear and, beforeIcan think the stupid, stupid idea through,IkickBeauhard in the shin.Uttershock crosses his features, and his grip loosens.

Beforehe can recover,Ispin out of his arms just asDompushes forward to grab me.Domstumbles intoBeau, who reaches out to steady him.

Idon’t waste any more time, already darting out of the glass doors and across the front lawn toLucky’swild cries of, “Runlike the wind, babe!”

Idare a look over my shoulder asIbolt outside.Domhas pushed offBeauand is moving quickly toward the glass doors after me.Ican’t help but shriek again and glance back asIscatter.

Lucky,I’mgoing tomurderyou for this!Iswear inwardly as his bright, elfin laughter follows me from the building.

Ican hearDom’sfootsteps too close behind me asIscram.Mypulse thunders in my veins.Thedoor toJaykob’sworkshop is open, andIadjust my course.

“Stop,Eden!”Domgrowls.

No, no, no.NowayamIstopping.Submitto punishment, my ass!

Iput in an extra burst of speed and fly toward the building, taking full advantage of my slight lead.Iround the door at speed, the momentum sending me crashing against a bench just inside.

Standingby a half-dismantled washing machine,Jaykoblooks up, startled.Greasesmears his white tank and the left side of his face, but he runs a bemused look overmydisheveled appearance.

Thenerve.

HearingDom’sfootsteps,Isqueak again and run right forJayk, his muscles and tattoos and irritated scowl seeming a beacon of safety.

“Whatthe fuck—”

Iduck around him and bury myself in his back.

“Luckymade me do something,”Iexplain calmly.Orthat’s whatImeant to do.Inreality, my voice sounds high and breathless as a rubber duck being strangled by a four-year-old. “Please, please, please just help me andI’lldo anything you want.”

Jaykobtenses for a moment, then snorts asDomstalks into his workshop.Iclutch at the back of his shirt like it’s a lifeline, suddenly unsure whyIthoughtJaykob, of all people, would be willing to save me.Hehasn’t spoken to me since our night together.Though, sinceDomwent after him yesterday, maybe he’ll be more inclined to take my side.

Oh, goodLordin heaven,I’man idiot.Abazooka?Howstupid couldIbe?

“Handher over,Jayk,”Domgrits out.

---