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Sighing, I sit up, take the water from Colt, and sip. “What exactly did I say?” I question, hoping I didn’t make a complete fool of myself. I’ve done some pretty reckless things when I’ve blacked out in the past. The memory of the orgy I woke up in comes to mind, and I’m sure my cheeks must be red.

Cooper smiles, pretty much confirming that I made a complete and utter ass out of myself. “Do you want to watch?” he asks.

Watch?There’s footage of my train wreck behavior? “You didn’t?” I groan, knowing they did.

“There are cameras at the front door and basically every room in this house,” Cooper states, walking to stand by me. He bends over and whispers, “So, arashati al-mudammira, do you want to watch yourself?”

Cooper’s breath kisses the shell of my ear, making me shiver. He chuckles at my reaction before he trails a finger down my spine. “You wanted to play so badly. You should see how bad you’ve been before you pay the price,” Cooper teases. Then, he nips the hollow of my neck. Time stops, and I forget to breathe. “You want us to do so many bad things to you, Evie. And you want to because you think you’ve been a bad girl.”

I try to push my brain to unlock whatever I did, but I’m coming up with nothing. Of all the people this happened with, the Jacobi twins were never on my list. My face heats, embarrassed by the unknown. I know curiosity kills that cat, but I’m willing to die for this.

Gulping, I mumble, “Yes.”

Cooper’s hands slide through my curls. My lips part to moan when my head is yanked back. “Do you think you deserve to know?” he hisses, freezing my groan in my throat.

“Y-y-yes,” I choke out.

My head is forced to swivel until my gaze lands on Colter. “Do you think she deserves to see the wanton slut she was when she first arrived, Colt?”

“Only if she begs,” Colter retorts—a Cheshire-Cat-sized grin dons his face. His icy-blue orbs glint, and for a moment, I think I see loathing in his gaze, but it’s gone before I blink.

Was he… do they?

I begin to question if this is the right decision when strong hands wrap around my exposed throat. “You want to beg for us, don’t you, Evie Rose?” Colter murmurs in my ear. “You want us to make you see stars—disappearing to a place your worries will never find you.”

Memories of our last encounter flood my vision, catapulting me into the serene calm I felt when I gave them control.

I need that—I need to let go.

“P-p-please,” I whisper.

“What was that? I couldn’t quite hear you,” Cooper states. “Could you hear her, Colt?”

They’re baiting me, and it’s catnip to my irrational soul. I desperately want to play, but can I trust them?Should I take the bait? That’s probably the best question.

Slanting his head, Colter simply replies, “Nope.” Then, he strides across the room, stopping only once he’s standing directly in front of me. “What was that, zzina l-m??????”

Colter and Cooper emanate power. Their joint presence is intoxicating, and I long to be drunk.

My resolve sets in, and I ignore every glaring red flag.Fuck being safe. Red means go, motherfucker.

Straightening my spine, I shout, “Please. Is that good enough to show me the fucking video,” with a confidence I don’t remember possessing.

“There she is, peeking her head out from the corner you buried her in,” Colter taunts as he leans over until his nose touches mine. “There’s the brat we want to play with.” He stands, moving to his left, and a TV screen lowers from the ceiling.

Cooper’s grip tightens, reminding me that I’m under their control. “Now, let’s see how bad your punishment will be. You already have at least five priors you’ll need to account for before you leave this house tonight.”

As soon as he’s done speaking, the image of me standing at the front door in my Groveton green volleyball uniform appears. I’m pacing back and forth, mumbling incoherently. Nothing coming out of my mouth makes any sense until it does.

“Need…Want… Safe.”Then, I stop and look up as if I know where the camera is.“Let me in. I’ll sign the contract. I need to sign the contract. Please… please… please. I’m going to?—”

I don’t finish my sentence. I just begin pacing again. However, this time, I can hear what I said.

“They’ll make the hurt go away. They’ll make the hurt go away. They’ll make the hurt go away.”I keep rambling the same thing like a skipping CD.

Tears pool in my eyes. I’m so embarrassed. How could I allow myself to become this erratic?

I try to swallow, but Cooper’s hold leaves a ball stuck in my throat. Stars begin to dance in my periphery, and I welcome the escape, but before the bliss hits, he loosens his grip.