Page 149 of Brainwashed

My head tips back as I give him my throat and he takes the bait, running his mouth over my Adam’s apple while it bobs. “I’m sure I could remedy that…”

“Sounds fun.” I feel a ghost of a grin on my shivering flesh. “But we should get inside. I can’t have anyone finding us out here.”

I whine, and he hums, pulling himself off of me reluctantly. But this time, he takes my hand.

He tugs me along, out of the greenhouse and onto a stone patio with a grill, some canopy furniture and twinkly lights strung up overhead.

I can’t even help how I’m just gaping around myself in awe. “This isbeautiful. I can’t believe something so gorgeous exists on this island…”

“Mm…” Dr. Love’s voice rumbles and he peeks at me for a moment.

But he says nothing else, just keeps dragging me along until we reach a backdoor of the mansion.I kind of want to see this place from the front, but even from back here, it’s massive. All white marble, an elaborate castle nestled in the middle of a forbidden forest.Such an incredible place…

And I’m even more stunned when we walk inside.

The interior is dimly lit and ominous, yet magnificently designed. And it gives new meaning to the wordhuge. The ceilings are so high, I feel like an ant. Everything is spotlessly clean, cold and decorated like we’re in Transylvania.

My head is bobbing back and forth in amazement while Dr. Love keeps pulling me swiftly, through the downstairs. Once we reach what looks like the main foyer, I see two distinct staircases. Long ones that wind up like we’re in some kind of museum.He brings me to one side and we walk up the stairs, quickly and quietly. He’s basically running with me in tow, and I assume it’s because if anyone were to see us, he’d be in big trouble. Though at this point, it seems like he just does whatever he wants.

I mean, if he didn’t get in trouble for giving me the keys, then what difference does it make if he sneaks me out of the prison and into the Warden’s home?

I swallow hard. I really can’t believe this is happening right now.

I’m sure The Ivory will find out about this. He has eyes everywhere; always watching. There’s no way this little experiment will go unnoticed. But I guess it’s just a matter of how long we can get away with it until he reacts.

Either way, I don’t care. I’m stuck in that prison for the rest of my life, regardless.Might as well make the best of it by fucking up as much shit before they eventually kill me.

We stop ascending the stairs at the second level, and Dr. Love brings me up a dark corridor to a closed door. He opens it, then motions for me to enter first. Stepping inside, I’m immediately spinning in circles again. It’s a massive bedroom, and I meanenormous. Probably the size of my entire apartment back in Brooklyn. There’s a window which overlooks the ocean, drawn black curtains and lamps illuminating a soft glow. A large bed in the center of the room with some of the fanciest bedding I’ve ever seen. All the furniture looks to be made from rich mahogany and oak. It’s all obviously super expensive.

Dr. Love locks the door while I wander around, poking at things. There are paintings on the wall that catch my attention. All black and blood red to match the vibe. A fireplace. An attached en suite bathroom. Scampering over to it, I peek inside. It’s also giant, with a huge shower enclosure and separate clawfoot tub.

When I twirl back around, I find Dr. Love staring at me.

“This place is insane,” I whisper. “This is your room?” He nods slowly.“And you wanted to bring me here… as an experiment?” I ask, leaning against the wooden doorframe. He nods again. “You want to see what the monster does when he’s set free from his cage and plopped into a luxurious setting…”

“Not necessarily.” He finally speaks, standing only a few feet from me, his presence overpowering the room.

“Then what?” My head cocks.

He takes a step closer. “Something has been happening between us, Felix.” His tone is vastly mischievous. My flesh sheets with chills. “I’ve tried to ignore it… stuff it away, force it down. Focus on my job. But youaremy job. And I think…” He trails off for a moment before continuing. “I rather enjoy focusing on you.” He steps even closer, until I can feel his voice when he speaks. “I want to see how this feels… when you’re not a prisoner.”

My entire body is trembling. His words have burrowed their way into my skin, through the muscle and tissue, and carved out a spot in my chest. Right next to my heart.

He wants to see how it feels… To be with me.

“I’m still a monster,” I whisper. “That doesn’t change with the location.”

He nods once more. “I know.”

My lashes flutter. “You like it… don’t you?”

His jaw tenses, as if he’s attempting to fight it. But he can’t. Because we both know it’s the truth.

“And you like that I’m not afraid of you,” he rumbles, placing his hands on my chest, running them up my neck.

This time I nod. “I love how you look at me. How you watch me.” My voice is breathy with need.

His thumbs graze my jaw, large hands holding me in place while his mouth lowers over mine. “You’re such a fascinating specimen, Felix Darcey. A lifetime of learning from you would barely scratch the surface.”