Page 52 of Crave

I looked for the doorway, desperate to run, but they blocked my way.

“I think that’s enough.” Gabe said slowly.

“No,” Silas rose to his full height, looking down at me. “She’s not leaving until she tells us the truth about what happened.”

Tears slid down my cheeks as I stared up at him. It didn’t matter what I said to him, the truth, a lie. He’d believe what he wanted to believe. I saw that now as I stared into the empty depths of his stare, and he stared into mine.

“I have no memory.” I whispered, trying one last time to get him to understand. “Don’t you get that.”

“Maybe…she’s telling the truth?” Jude glanced at Silas.

But our brother wasn’t interested in the truth, was he?

No.

He wasn’t interested in that at all.

He wanted to hurt me. I could see that now. He wanted me exactly where I was, on the ground at his feet. I don’t remember what I ever did to make Silas hate me the way he did. But I don’t think that mattered one little bit.

Because he was made for hate. I lowered my gaze from his eyes to the heavy tattoos around his neck, to the ones peeking out from under the sleeves of his shirt that ran all the way down to his hands.

He was hatred coiled up in the body of a man…and now I saw him for what he was.

I lifted my gaze once more.

“Believe me or not. I don’t care anymore.”

“Were you drugged?” His voice was husky.

That’s the way, on your knees and open your mouth. That voice echoed back as perfectly clear. I shook my head.

He leaned down again. “Then how can you not remember?”

Mine.

Owned.

DAUGHTER.

“Maybe she’s telling the truth?” Jude said louder, inching closer to stand in front of Silas.

“This is bullshit.” Theo barked, pushing Jude out of the way.

He came for me faster than I could move, lunging to grab my arms and lift me.

“No! Let me go!” I screamed, thrashing and fighting, until he drove me backwards and against the wall.

“You need to tell us the truth.” He bellowed.“DO YOU HEAR ME? TELL US THE GODDAMN TRUTH!”

I tried to fight him but Theo was cruel, wrenching me forward until I slammed into him. The strap on my nightdress slipped falling down my shoulder. He was like a shark scenting blood in the water, narrowing in on the movement and yanking me forward.

Cool night air caressed the tops of my breast. The white lace one he liked me to wear.

OWNED.

OWNED.

OWNED.