Jess struggles harder. "No!" she shrieks. "I told you I don't want to stay here. This is kidnapping!"
Jen looks conflicted. A deep crease has formed between her eyes, and as much as she wants to help her friend, she knows what we all do. You can't force someone to heal.
"She's right. We can't keep her forever. Sooner or later we have to let her go, and when we do she's going to use again."
Lucien shrugs. "Probably. If this stupid bitch wants to snort drain cleaner once she's free we aren't going to be able to stop her. But, until my father is taken care of she's a threat. The chance of her selling all of us out for drugs is too high. I'm sure this is a much more acceptable way to keep her quiet."
"As opposed to what?" Shane asks, even though the look on his face says he already knows what option two is.
"I know my role in this group was the naive jokester, but you can't really be that clueless," Teddy says. "She either stays here, where we can try and convince her to sober the fuck up, or we kill her."
"No, I'm not participating in that," Shane argues. He looks at me apologetically. "I wouldn't do anything to put you at risk, Raven, but I can't condone killing anyone."
"Don't be stupid," Teddy scoffs before I can speak. "They told us what we were getting into, and we all agreed to help. We were warned, but apparently I was the only one who knew what the fuck we were getting into. This isn't just about Raven. If Jess runs her mouth they will kill all of us to get to her."
"He's right," Amber speaks for the first time all evening. "I agree we can't kill her, so she has to stay."
Shane paces, his hands fist in his hair, and he appears to be on the verge of ripping it out. "This is so fucked up."
"So, you're happier turning her loose so she can shove more shit up her nose and selling her body to get it?" Lucien taunts.
"Enough," Sin demands. "Yes, this is fucked up. This is our world though, and Ted's right, you agreed to climb down in it with us. I'll do whatever is necessary to protect Raven, and the rest of you. Jess stays where she is, or she disappears. But, make no mistake, if you let her leave, she'll die."
Shane stops moving and looks at Sin like he's really seeing him for the first time. "You'd just kill her?"
"I didn't say that. I wouldn't have to anyway. She's killing herself right in front of your eyes. You let her leave here, and she's going to OD."
"He's right. I don't know how long she's been using, but even if it's just been the last week she's messed up. There'll be no time for her to hit rock bottom and ask for help at the rate she's going," Jen says.
"I don't feel good," Jess warns right before she hurls all over herself.
"Hose her off. I've got to check in on Ford. He's been gone too long." Sin pulls out his phone and fires off a text.
Several minutes later, and there's still no answer. No one speaks to fill the silence. The only sounds are the dry heaving coming from Jess as her body begins to detox.
Sin grabs a gun from the desk in the office and shoves it in the back waistband of his jeans. "I'm going after him."
Almost as if he were summoned, Ford limps through the door. He shuts it and throws the locks, pulling a bar across the door for added security.
He turns around and my stomach sinks. He's got a black eye, a busted lip, and his knuckles are cut and bleeding. Smirking as much as possible with his injured mouth, he says, "You should see the other guys."
"Who jumped you?" Sin asks, but his eyes flicker to the door.
"There were people already at the apartment. I knew they were there looking for the three of you, because they came from the stairs, and your front door was kicked open," Ford explains.
"We need to go," Lucien demands.
Ford raises his hands. "This building isn't in my name. It's buried under dummy corporations because my father is a vindictive bastard who would fight over my inheritance if he knew it existed. I know I look like I went ten rounds with a heavyweight, but I was not followed."
Sin's eyes narrow in disbelief. "How would you know?"
"There were two men at the complex. Both were unconscious when I left. I punctured the tires of every car besides my own when I left. I feel a little bad about that, but I wasn't going to leave them to be stolen and follow after me."
"There could have been another team waiting and watching," Lucien supplies.
Ford nods. "I thought of that, so I drove around for a bit. Once I was sure no one was following me I doubled back and came here. There's a garage bay at the rear of the building I use to work on cars, so I made sure to pull my car in out of sight."
"How did they end up at the apartment so fast?" Shane asks.
"One of the people from the club probably recognized me and called the tip line," Lucien says.
Damien provided a hotline to help find his lost daughter. If that number goes to the actual police they were undoubtedly in his pocket.
"If they tracked everyone down, which they would if no one knew where I lived, then they probably realized Jess was missing. From there it would be easy to figure out where they might likely find her. Has she ever been here before?" he asks, flipping through something on his phone.
"No, why?" Ford asks.
Lucien turns his phone around and shows Jess's social media. It's filled with pictures of her friends, and some of the photos have the apartment building in the background.
"Well, it looks like we're staying here or going back to the cabin," Ford says.
Shane shrugs. "Jess has never been to the cabin, but it wouldn't be hard to track it down to us. It's still in my grandfather's name."
"There's a room next to the shooting range where we can lock her up. I'll have to make some changes to the knob so that she can't get out from the inside. Right now it's an unfinished bathroom, but it'll serve its purpose to detox Jess and keep her from leaving," Ford says. He goes into his office and comes back with a large toolbox.
"Everyone should get some rest. I'll take the first watch. Someone else can watch the other side of the building," Lucien orders, taking charge.
"I'll do it," Shane volunteers. "I'm going to finish putting in the alarm system I'm nearly done with. It'll help us know if someone tries to break in."
"A simple alarm system won't be good enough," Lucien warns.
Shane casts him a glare that says, I'm not an idiot. "This building is meant to hide battered women from their abusers. A simple alarm was never in the plan."
Fear has taken root, and I can't seem to shake it. The only thought in my head is, they found me. My body is exhausted, but my brain is running at warp speed. I know if I'm caught my fate will be worse than death. Sin said I'd pray for it if I fell into the hands of the man my father expects me to marry, and I don't doubt it for a second.
Somehow I always knew my father had a plan for me. I never believed my nannies when they told me he sent me to boarding school to protect me. On some level I knew that my being sent to exclusively all girls' schools was to preserve my value to him. And the only thing he seemed to think was worth something was my virginity.
I did a good job playing the naive little girl, and it worked to disarm many of the people put in charge to look after me. Being locked away for safekeeping didn’t mean I was kept safe. I learned quickly to look out for myself, because I didn’t have anyone else. Over the years I heard bits and pieces about who my father was, and speculation on what they thought he'd do with me when I graduated.
I bided my time, trained with any instructor willing to teach me self-defense. Even still, I was over my head. I'd like to say I had a plan the night I heard I was to be married to a stranger, but without Sin and Lucien I doubt I would have survived.
In that regard, I can understand Sin's need for control. Having never had it myself, I desperately craved it. Choosing to submit to him may seem like an odd way to exercise power over my own life, but the fact it was my choice gave me strength.
I know I can stop anything from happening between us. If I say no, he will
honor my word. Our arrangement is nothing like the control my father wants to exercise. My opinion and wishes won't matter. I'm a tool to him and nothing more. Sin looks at me like I'm everything, and that alone makes me feel powerful.
Moving to the stairs, I can feel Sin before I hear his steps. He moves quietly, and my body shudders in anticipation. His hand grips the back of my neck, and I can feel the heat from his body as he presses close to me.
"Your mind is racing princess," he whispers, his hot breath flicking against the side of my neck.
"Shut it off for me," I beg.
"Don't worry, you don't need to think about anything for the rest of the night, except for doing as you're told."
A shiver courses down my spine. He told me this is what he needs, and I believe him. The tension radiating off of him needs an outlet, but I didn't tell him how much I need his strength.
Even when he's rough, which I imagine he will be, I feel safe. The thoughts plaguing my mind shut off under his touch, and I feel more alive than I've ever felt before.
I take a second when we make it upstairs to regard the progress they made earlier in the day. Where it was open and barely framed the first time I saw it, there's now a wall of doors leading to small dorm style rooms. The bathroom has privacy. It still needs to be painted, and there's a considerable amount of drywall dust to be cleaned up, but it's the privacy I crave.
He leads me to a room near the back wall and opens the door. Inside there's a full sized bed, a small dresser, and a mirror that is conveniently located near the bed. Our bags are on the floor near the dresser, but they're still packed.
The bare cement floor has been covered with a plush area rug. It's as homey as possible considering it was nothing but posts and blank space only this morning.
"I'm on the edge, princess, so if you have changed your mind, better tell me now."
"What will happen if I have?" I haven't, but I want to hear what he's willing to do.
"I'll leave you alone."
"If we do this, will you stay?" This is what I'm really worried about. When he said he needs control I’m not afraid he'll be rough, I hope he will be, but I don't want to be treated like a toy. If he leaves afterwards to maintain emotional distance, I won't be able to be with him.
His expression broadcasts his confusion. "Why would I leave?"
"I–I really don't understand what the difference is between this new arrangement between us, and what we were doing yesterday. When you say, you need control, I've been thinking, I'm okay with it, except–"
"Talk to me." His hand cradles the side of my face.
"What if I'm not good at it? I can handle handing over most of the decisions to you when it comes to safety, and even... My face burns with embarrassment. I'm sure my cheeks are bright red.
"Even?"
I look down at my shoes. Yep, my shoes are super interesting. "You know," I whisper.
He chuckles. "Fucking?"
"God. Yes, okay!"
With his index finger he tips my chin up until I'm staring into his night dark eyes. "Then what's the problem?"
"I still want to be me. I want to decide who I become. I still want to train. I'm not helpless, and I want to be useful."
"Is that all that's bothering you?"
I find I'm shaking my head before I even give much thought to the question. "I'm afraid you need this to keep me at arms length. That we'll do this and I'll continue to fall, and you'll feel nothing."
"I feel everything," he swears. His voice drops and it's like a rough whisper, scratching over my nerves making my soul sing. "I don't want to stop it. I need to know you'll be safe to give in to it."
Smiling wide, I whisper, "I'm yours."
Suddenly, he stands taller, more demanding. My body tingles in anticipation. "Prove it."
"Tell me how."
"Get on your knees."
My heart thumps hard in my chest. When I agreed to submit to him, I did it to keep him. What I didn't anticipate is how thrilling it would be to put myself in his hands.
Sinking to my knees, I wait for further direction.
The sound of his zipper slices through the silence. Reaching behind his head he pulls off his shirt. His shoes are already off, and he stands before me in soft, worn denim. The image strikes me as deeply erotic, and I'm vibrating with the urge to touch him.
"Take me out." His demand is rough, and I sense he's working hard to control himself. I wonder if my submission will unleash him.
Squeezing my thighs together to ease the building ache, I push his pants down. As they descend, my hands brush the firm globes of his ass before I free him. Taking his erection in my hands, I stroke him. I know where this is heading, but he still hasn't given the command.
The words never come. He fists his hands in my hair and pulls me forward. Pressing the head of his cock against my lips, I instinctively flick my tongue against it.
I've never experienced this before, and I'm worried I won't be good at it. Jutting his hips forward, he sinks into my mouth, and we both moan. Guiding my head, he sets a rhythm I begin to follow. It's slow at first, then harder and rougher. Soon, all thoughts of technique and performance vanish from my thoughts as my only desire is to watch him come undone.
There's no warning when he comes, other than a primal roar. His movements slow, and I work him through the last shudders of his release. Sin's still semi hard when his cock pops out of my mouth. I smirk and wipe off the corner of my lips.
"Proud of yourself, aren't you?" he teases.
I nod. "I've never done that before."
His expression darkens. In addition to being controlling, apparently he's possessive as well. "I'm going to find a lot of things you've never done before and fuck the memory of teacher boy out of you."
"Mmm," I hum. "I think I'm going to like that."
Sin kicks his jeans away completely and pulls me to my feet by my elbows. "Your turn. Strip, and do it slow."
The nerves return. I love to dance, but I've never tried to be enticing before. Still, I find I want to rebel as much as I can get away with in the confines of our agreement.
Raising my t-shirt I halt midway, my hips start to sway, and he grabs my hip, stopping me. "Careful, princess. I'm still hungry for you. You took the edge off, but I still want to possess you."
"You already do. I want all of you, even what you're trying to hold back."
Sin's breathing turns ragged. "You don't know what you're asking for."
"Then show me," I say and pull my shirt off. The lace of my bra does little to hide how my nipples have tightened to painful peaks.
He sets me back on my feet. "Okay. Continue."
Confidence I didn't know I had wells up inside of me. Grabbing his phone I click on his internet radio app. Music floods the small space.
My body twists and turns to the beat. Slowly I pop the button of my jeans, slide the zipper down, and rock my hips as I lower them inch by inch. Turning my back to him I continue to sway, my hair brushes against the waist of my panties.
Reaching behind me, I unclasp my bra and let it fall to the floor. I drape my hair on either side of my shoulders, letting it cover my breasts, before I turn around.
Sin's hands are fisted in the blanket as he forces himself to remain seated. "Enough," he growls and moves toward me. Each step he takes is agonizingly slow, but the room is small and he reaches me in the span of a heartbeat.
"I think you like driving me crazy."
I fight a smile. "Maybe."
"My turn." His fingers dig into my hips, and he spins me around.
"Lean forward and keep your hands on the bed," he demands.
I obey him instantly, not because of our arrangement, but because I find there's nothing I want more than to please him.
"Hmm, so you can do as you're told," he murmurs.
"You told me to strip, and I did," I sass him. Granted, I knew I was pushing him, but seeing how much he wanted me was thrilling.
"I suppose, but it seems
you're defiant even when you follow directions. What am I going to do about that?"
"What do you want to do?"
His hand trails leisurely up my spine. Despite his words, his touch is reverential. "I think you should know what it feels like to be teased."
Sin's fingers hook the sides of my underwear and he draws them down my legs inch by torturous inch. When they reach the ground he taps my feet for me to step out of them.
He takes a couple steps back, and I instantly feel the loss of the heat from his body.
"Lean down to your elbows, and spread your legs."
My legs shake as I comply. I'm open in a way I've never been before. I know he can see my arousal and the flush creeping over my entire body. The throbbing between my legs intensifies, and he's barely touched me.
"Please," I beg.
"You don't like being kept waiting?" he taunts.
"No," I whisper.
When he steps close to me again, I nearly sigh in relief, but still, he doesn't touch me. The anticipation ties me in knots. With a featherlight touch, he strokes my mound. Trembling, I bite my lip to keep myself from begging him again. It's clear, the more I protest, the longer he will torture me.
His touch continues to be nothing more than a whisper. Enough to remind me he's there, but not enough to soothe the ache.
Finally, he strokes my clit, soft at first, then faster and harder. I'm panting, so close to my orgasm, but before I can break apart, he stops.
He resumes touching me lightly, never where I need him to stroke. The process repeats over and over until I'm wound up and on the verge of tears. Never once does he lose control.
"Do you like it slow and gentle, princess?"
"No." I'm ashamed when my voice wavers and he can tell I'm frustrated.
My shaking is making it hard to continue standing, even bent over the bed. His large hands grab my hips to steady me and hold me still.
"Have you had enough?"
I look over my shoulder and see him struggling to hold back. "Only if that's what you want."
"I'll never have enough of you." He slams into me with a single thrust. "There will never be enough time with you, to talk, to sleep, or to fuck."
Pretty Monsters Page 20