Page 19 of Boyfriend From Hell

I was beyond drained, both mentally and physically. The air around me grew heavier as I was unceremoniously dragged out of the room—my struggles proving to be as effective as a feeble mosquito against iron. I gave up after the first thirty feet down this seemingly never-ending hall.

Wherever they were taking me, it felt like it was taking forever to get there.

I stole a glance at my wardens, the dim lighting of the hallway made them appear as nothing more than shadowy figures—though, it also carved sexy shadows along their jaws.

I rolled my eyes and tried to catch a glimpse of something, anything, that could give me a clue as to where I might be or where I was being taken.

The hallway was empty and cold—nothing but dust covered lanterns and cobwebs lined its stone walls.

The longer we walked, the colder the air seemed to grow, the temperature dropping with each step. My teeth had begun to chatter uncontrollably and I could see my breath in front of me—puffs of white hung in front of my eyes, clouding my vision.

We turned a corner and came to a stop in front of a large, ornately carved wooden door, finally. Oh, thank God!

My armpits were beyond sore from their hold on me. I hoped this meant they’d, at the very least, release their grip on my underarms.

Cam knocked a few times; the raps were a specific beat, almost like Morse code.

After a moment, the door groaned open and a rush of warm light spilled into the hallway as a blast of heat hit me.

The sudden change in temperature burned my skin and sent a current of tingles throughout my body.

I squinted against the hot air as the door continued to open, revealing a grand room filled with ornate furniture and rich tapestries—worlds better than the one I had been in.

This room had nap written all over it–if it weren’t for the circumstances, of course.

A hearty fireplace, encased in black marble, commanded the back wall—and what I would give to curl up in front of it on the lush fur rug spread out at its base. “Thirty minutes and twelve seconds,” the twins stated.

My head dropped back as I prepared to groan, but as I did, they released their hold on me. My head snapped back and my eyes flicked between them, as my legs urged me to turn and run.

“This way please,” Cam spoke softly and brushed a hand along my arm, coaxing me to follow them further into the room.

I took a tentative step forward—the heat was seductive...it was a lot warmer in there.

“I wouldn’t advise you to go back into the hallway alone,” Mal said from somewhere, seeming to have disappeared within the room.

“And, why’s that?” I asked, half curious and half not giving a shit. I glanced over my shoulder towards the dismal, dark, frigid hall.

“Try it,” Cam said dryly.

He looked at me with an expression so blank it had apprehension swarming in the pit of my stomach and I froze at the offer.

There was a pause between us—me, unsure of what to do, and him…

well, I figured his patience was starting to wear thin.

“Twenty—” Mal called as Cam gracefully lunged toward me.

His palm connected with my shoulder as he shoved me backward and before I could yelp, my feet tripped over one another.

My back fell through where the door should have been.

A delayed scream burst from me as I flung my arms behind me to catch my fall, only to find that I continued to fall.

There was a brief rush of frigid air over my skin, my vision tunneled and warped, everything elongated as the motion continued.

Then—just as suddenly as it began—it stopped.

I was in front of Cam on my hands and knees, panting.

“—minutes and sixteen seconds,” Mal finished.

“What was–” My head spun, and I gagged, dizzy. “That?”

Cam’s hands found my armpits again, and hauled me to my feet, bringing us nearly chest to chest. I breathed heavily through my nose, my stomach churning like it was caught in a violent spin cycle. Always with the damned armpits.

Mal appeared before us. “We won’t have enough time.”

He now wore a crimson crushed velvet suit—which would look hideous on most men, but somehow on him it was captivating. Noticing my stare, the corner of his mouth twitched up and I quickly averted my eyes and made a feeble attempt to wiggle away from Cam.

“Give her to me, I’ll start.” Mal reached a hand towards me, his palm open and oddly inviting. “Ready yourself, Cam.”

Mal’s hand flexed toward me, eagerly awaiting mine.

Half begrudgingly, half nauseated, a small part of me wondered how his hand would feel around mine.

So, I slid my hand into his as Cam walked away from us.

His skin was warm and soft, not quite as warm as Raios’ but warmer than usual.

There was something oddly calming about the way he absentmindedly ran his thumb over the top of my hand.

It melted away the nauseated feeling that had taken place within me.

My heart fluttered at the way he gently held my hand in his––the reaction my body had to his touch felt so out of left field.

I let him lead me toward a lavish canopy bed adorned with rich fabrics and intricate carvings.

“Sit,” he commanded. “Please.”

He let go of my hand and I sat at the edge of the bed—not exactly liking where this could be going. Sure, he’s hot. Strange, for sure. But, hot. Something about Mal was intoxicating and calming.

I kept my eyes on the floor as he stood before me, crossing his arms and letting out a sigh.

“We have fifteen minutes, zero seconds,” he whispered under his breath.

“Okay, seriously. What's with the creepy countdown?” I could feel his eyes on me as he stepped toward me in silence. I instinctively pulled away.

From the corner of my eye, I watched his hand rise to my face, a finger hooking gently under my chin to tilt it upward. I averted his amber gaze, staring instead at the fireplace across the room. His other hand came up, fingers brushing softly through my hair.

I braced myself for the sharp snap of knots being forced apart, but instead, I was pleasantly surprised by the sensation. This was all so confusing. My mind was a hornet’s nest of contradicting feelings and thoughts.

“Hmm,” he hummed.

From my periphery, I watched as he lifted his thumb to his lips for a breath before bringing it to my face. My eyes snapped to his, brows pulling together and widening as he brushed his thumb over my lips, something warm coating them.

“What was tha—” I began against the brush of his finger.

“This is going to have to do,” Mal said softly and sighed, releasing my chin just as Cam appeared behind him in a matching suit.

I ran the tip of my tongue along my bottom lip; sweet iron coated my taste buds. Instantly my stomach clenched.

“Did you… is that your blood on my lips?” I yelped, reaching up to wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.

“He’s going to be annoyed,” Cam sighed, regarding me.

“Very,” Mal said, his voice low and serious. The twins’ hands gripped my shoulders firmly. “Best of luck,” they intoned in perfect unison. Then, without warning, the world around me plunged into darkness.