Page 28

“A tequila sunrise,” I smile back, knowing I’ve drank too much this evening, but fuck it.

“Oooh, a girl who likes to party. I like it,” he winks at me while he orders our drinks.

“I’m Evelyn,” I introduce myself.

“Tristan Cross,” he says back, giving me his charming smile once more.

“What’s a girl like you out on a Thursday alone for?” He asks, raising a brow.

“Just trying to relax and have some fun, and yourself?” He hands me my drink, and I take a drink as he answers.

“I’m always up for a good time, and my friends are pretty convincing.” He gestures towards a booth filled with men and women on their laps. Some engaging in conversation while others are damn near having sex in the club.

“Do you want me to join you?” I say without thinking. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing anymore, but it seems to be the trend lately.

“I have a better idea,” he reaches out for my hand. My brain is sending up S.O.S signals left and right, but I choose to ignore them. I can make my own choices. Currently, I am choosing to follow this charming man and see where it leads.

I place my hand in his and smile, batting my long, dark lashes at him. He smiles as he guides me to the back entrance of the club. He holds open a door, and I step out into the chilly alleyway. I take a few steps and notice the drinks are hitting me harder than I thought.

I start stumbling, and my vision is doubled. I turn to face Tristan, and my heart races. I feel dizzy, and I am not sure if I’m about to throw up or pass out.

“Dante needs to be more careful about leaving his toy around.” He says with a chuckle.

Everything goes dark. I think I’m dead. I’m almost positive.

* * *

I feel cold. There is a chill in the air that I can only imagine is felt in a hospital where they do autopsies or something. It reeks of ammonia or pungent cleaner. I can’t tell.

I go to yell, but my mouth tastes like fabric. I’ve been gagged. Panic grips my chest as I begin to sob behind my gag. I blink my eyes rapidly to adjust to the bright fluorescent lights. It looks like I am in the basement of a hospital: white, sterile tile lines the room, floor to ceiling. Drains line the floors where they meet the walls, and a single drain is in the middle of the room I go to stand, but I can’t. My arms are shackled behind me, and my ankles are shackled to my hands. I’m hogtied around a poll attached to the wall, perched on my knees. I glance down, hoping I’m still dressed in the clothes I wore to the club.

Nope. I’ve been stripped down to nothing. I sit here naked, freezing, and afraid. I wish he had killed me. My mind flooded with regret. I should have listened to Astra and stayed away. I also shouldn’t have been so thirsty for revenge.

The door across from me opens slowly, and Tristan enters. He’s wearing black combat boots, black jeans, and no shirt. I regret thinking he was attractive. He watches my body tremble, sobbing uncontrollably. He walks closer.

I keep my head down, hoping he will leave me here to die.

He yanks my head up by my hair to look at him.

“Don’t worry, Evelyn, I haven’t touched you yet. It’s such a shame Dante felt the need to leave you unattended. You would have made such a pretty bride. He won’t want you after I’m done with you.” He flashes an evil smile my way.

My face is wet with tears and snot. I blink fresh tears.

“Maybe I will strap you down to my bed, and make you bleed all over my cock,” he smiles. I vomit behind the gag. His words are like arrows piercing through my skin.

“Or maybe I will fuck your mouth and that pretty little ass of yours,” he gives a stern expression, not phased by my tears.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure it’s quick. I won’t kill you, but he might… In Dante’s mind, if he can’t have you, then no one can.” He releases my hair from his grip and walks out the door.Dante isn’t coming. He doesn’t care about you.I rest my back against the cold wall and hope that someone saves me or kills me. I don’t care which at this point.

* * *

I wake up, starving and unsure of what time of day it is. I can only imagine it’s been thirteen days since Dante took advantage of me and told me his lies. I wonder how long a person can survive without water or food. The thought has never crossed my mind until now. I genuinely feel like I am going to rot here. Chained to a wall like a fucking whore. I cry behind my gag, trying to stop the fear that possesses me.

My wrists and ankles are sore, probably bleeding. My knees ache from being propped up for what I assume would be all night. I wouldn’t be surprised if my legs need to be amputated after this. Astra is probably looking for me. Dante could probably care less about finding me. I am ready to die.You’re already dead.

Iprop myself back against the wall and close my eyes. I try to take myself back to a simpler time. I start breathing deeply. In for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4.

My tears subside, and I drift back into darkness. Maybe I’ll never wake up.