Page 58 of Beautiful Beasts

What they don’t get is that I would do the same for them; that is why I have done what I have done. I am trying to protect them as much as they are attempting to protect me.

I wish things were different. I wish it didn’t have to come down to them finding out the way that they will, but I can’t fucking bring myself to look them in the eyes and tell them what Gus has done. Maybe them watching it for themselves is better for everyone. At least I won’t have to see the pain radiating off of them.

At least for a short time, I can look at these roses and still wish I could live up to what they deserve.

What they have always deserved.

A hand goes over my mouth, and another hand grabs me by the throat and pulls me back against a hard chest.

Lips are now planted against my ear, making my stomach twist. I should have known, and maybe I did. Perhaps I knew if I came out here, he would find me, and this would finally be the end of this game I never wanted to play. If he is going to kill me, use me, or rape me, at least my men won’t see it.

They will put me in the ground and mourn my life, but eventually, they will be able to move on. At least they will still be alive, allowing them to fucking move on.

“I have been waiting for you, Bella; it is time,” he whispers into my ear, pulling me away from the rose bushes and leading me to the cellar door that leads to the basement.

I can see he has already broken the lock. I look at the corner of the house and see the camera. I know they will come for me. I just don’t know if it will be in time to stop whatever Gus has planned.

My stomach twists as Gus forces me down the steps. He releases my throat and slams the cellar door shut. The staircase is dark, leading into a dark room where the only light is from the few windows at the ground level outside.

Gus wraps his hand around my stomach as he forces me into the open floor plan of the basement; it smells like fear and blood.

I hear someone clear their throat and come out from the shadows, walking into the little bit of light that is coming into the room. My heart stops as I stare at the man standing in front of me. Bruce. It is fucking Bruce.

Gus removes his hand from my mouth.

“There are fucking two of you,” I snap. This makes no fucking sense. What the flying fuck?

“Surprise, Bella, meet my twin brother,” Gus whispers behind me.

Twins? They are fraternal twins. What the fuck is happening? Why the fuck didn’t I notice Bruce wasn’t Gus in the shower? Why the fuck couldn’t I see what I see now?

“How?” I ask the question, but honestly, I am scared of the fucking answer.

I watch Bruce step closer, causing me to step back into Gus. He tightens his grip on me. No. Fuck no.

“It was easy slipping something into your drink, Bella. You didn’t even fucking notice,” Bruce confesses.

Bruce smiles as he looks me over, making my skin crawl like he has so many times before.

“So which one of you-” I stop and take a deep breath.

“Fucked you?” Gus finishes my sentence.

I nod, not being able to speak.

“That was me, Bella,” Gus confirms.

“The shower?” I whisper.

“What about the shower?” Gus asks from behind me. I can feel his heart racing against my back.

I don’t respond as I look at the twin standing in front of me. The smile on his face widens. “That, whore, was me,” Bruce confesses.

“What about the shower, Bella?” Gus snaps.

“He forced me to my knees,” I whisper in a shaky voice.

“What is she talking about, Bruce?” Gus asks in an enraged voice.

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