Page 17 of Marek

“Then you don’t know the kind of people those women are. I’m giving them a far better life than the one they had, and they’re getting drugs for free. If you asked half of them, they wouldn’t want to leave even if they were given the chance.”

“Then why keep them in cages? Can’t you at least offer them a decent living space?”

He studies me. “I suppose I could.”

Well, that has to be the first time he has actually agreed with me.

“Then maybe you should.”

He doesn’t answer that, instead, he gives me another drink and pours one for himself, also. The wine is already going to my head, and I know I need to slow down or nothing will happen tonight except me passing out.

“I’m going to sleep right here,” I say, patting the sofa.

“Have it your way,” he murmurs, his eyes roaming my face in a way that makes me nervous.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

Alcohol makes me bold.

“Because you’re spectacular.”

His words shock me and I jerk back, quite surprised at his honesty. I knew, of course, that he finds me attractive. He has told me as much. But the way he’s saying it now, feels slightly different. Pushing to my feet, unable to form words, I go to the kitchenette and pour myself a glass of water. What I’m really doing is taking note of the knives. If I know where they are, then I won’t make any noise.

Turning back towards him, I nod at the mostly empty bottle of wine. “Is there any more of that?”

We’re not quite done yet.

He needs to be a little drunker before I’m through with him.

MY PLAN, SO FAR, HASworked.

We drank more, and when his eyes grew glassy and everything about him seemed to soften a little, I knew that he was drunk. So, I made myself a bed on the sofa and laid down, feigning sleep, which was incredibly difficult considering I truly wanted to just fall into nothingness. He took his time, showering and getting into bed. The smell of his clean, warm skin as he moved around the RV was enough to make everything inside me clench. I dared a peek and saw his lean, muscled body as he got around with no shirt. I couldn’t help but take in the perfect way each muscle flowed onto the next, or the way his skin is so perfectly marked with ink.

He's fucking delicious.

And I’m drunk.

Finally, he’s asleep.

I wait even longer, before pushing quietly to my feet and staring over at the bed. He’s laying on his back, his eyes closed, one arm tucked up behind his head. His bicep bulges and his smooth skin is so creamy and perfect against his dark hair. Biting my lip, hating that I’m about to do this, I turn and tiptoe to the kitchen. I reach the knife block and pull out the biggest one I can find, then I pause.

Do I have it in me to actually plunge this into him?

The very thought makes me sick, and my stomach twists with repulsion.

I don’t want to hurt him, even though I know it’s what I have to do to escape. I ask myself, is my freedom worth his life? Or am I willing to stay here forever, being his slave? I know I want to go home, but at the same time, something in me hesitates. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t like how it makes me feel. Like an uncaged, feral animal. There is a wildness inside me that is begging to be released.

Marek brings it out, and I don’t know why.

Moving closer to the bed, I glance down at him as I carefully kneel on the soft mattress. He doesn’t move as the bed dips slightly, and I hold my breath, gripping the knife in both hands when I’m above him, praying I’m strong enough to do this. I close my eyes, and vomit rises in my throat.Come on, Ellie, it’s now or never.With trembling hands, I count down from three.

As I bring the knife down towards his chest, his hand shoots up and curls around the blade, fingers gripping the sharp knife, causing blood to immediately coat the steel. Screaming, I let the knife go, and he releases it as it falls to the bed beside us. His eyes, wild with rage, lock on mine and I know I’ve fucked up.

“Did you think I am so stupid that I would actually sleep?” he grinds out, not releasing my wrist.

I should have known he would never just let me sleep, unchained, where I could get away or worse, try to kill him. I’m such an idiot, thinking I could outsmart him. Panting, I stare down at him, my mind spinning with emotions I can’t get control of.

“You want to kill me, Ellie Mae? Think you’ve got it in you?”

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