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His brows pinch together, confused by my answer.

“Interesting.”

He stands and removes the gag from my mouth.

“Why not?”

I swallow, my mouth is dry and rough. I don’t speak. I don’t know why I won’t run.Yes, you do.

Hethrows the tray across the room, sending the knives flying onto the ground. The sound is jarring as the metal clanks to the floor. My chin trembles. He cups my face in his hand, and he brings his face inches from mine.

“You’re mine, princess.”

“Tell me you’re mine.” His demands are dark and spoken in his low, raspy voice.

Tell him. He will let you go.

Pressure builds behind my eyes as I let the words slip shakily from my mouth.

“I-I’m… yours…”

He grins at me, as if he didn’t just dig a knife into my skin. He leans in and darts his tongue out, licking up my cheek, ridding it of my tears. Warmth travels down my spine and into my core. His touch shouldn’t feel so good. He’s cruel.He isn’t cruel. He wants you. All of you.

He grips my hair, tilting my head to the side, exposing the bare flesh on my neck. He licks his lips, and he bites down on the sensitive skin. A whimper escapes me as he claims me further.You love his touch. You need him. He makes you feel good.

He pulls his mouth from my neck, hovering above the assaulted area as he whispers, “Fucking perfect.”

His words of praise make me feel like I’m falling, falling for the man who made me bleed. He made me bleed for him.

He stands and walks behind me, slicing through the rope. It falls to the ground, and I go to stand, but my legs are sleepy from sitting for so long. My knees buckle, and I stumble into the wall in front of me. I turn around, resting my back against the wall.

Dante stands behind the chair, leaning his hands on the back of it, watching me closely. My nipples harden under his gaze. His stare is full of lust.

I move my arms up to cover my chest, and I wince when I graze the tenderflesh below. My skin is on fire.

“Go ahead, princess. Run.”

I move my legs, pins and needles shooting up them with each step. I can’t run fast right now, but I have no fucking choice.

I rush through the building, my pulse throbbing in my ears, as I make my way to the front door. I push through the door, noticing the security system must have been disabled.He won’t let you escape. He is going to catch you. Stop running.

I run out onto the gravel, pain erupting with each step, but I don’t slow down. I steal a glance over my shoulder. He’s not following me. He didn’t follow me. I run into the woods and keep running. I can’t go back.Yes, you can.

I run until my body can no longer take it. My lungs burn, and my legs ache.

I lean my back against a tree, and I slide down the tree. Trying to catch my breath. I cover my chest and rest my head on my knees. My thoughts overtake me once more.

You shouldn’t have liked the way he tortured you.

But you did.

You shouldn’t have gone to the club.

But you did.

You should have stabbed him.

But you didn’t.