Page 28 of Cruel Possession

I dig my nails beneath the edge, pulling at it as hard as I can. I already took out the bolts that were holding it in place, but it’s still wedged between two pieces of wood.

“Come on,” I mutter, pulling harder only to smash my elbow off the floor.

I bite down on my lip, tears stinging my eyes.

This never would’ve happened if I hadn’t let Aiden in. If I hadn’t trusted him to get me off without killing me. This is my own fault, and I know that the boss isn’t going to come for me.

Which means that this is a test for him. A chance to show him that I still have what it takes to run the family.

After taking another deep breath, I reach up again and tug harder, wiggling the piece side to side until I finally get it free. It’s only six inches long at most, but it should be enough.

There are a couple more cuts added to the healing ones on my palms, but I barely notice them. All it takes is wiping the blood on the underside of the mattress to hide the injuries.

I scoot out from beneath the frame, climbing back onto the bed. Lounging, I look up at the ceiling and count the little drips in the paint once again. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve studied them.

The piece of metal is cool in my hand. I keep it closed up, making sure that when Aiden walks into the room next, he’s not going to see that I have anything.

I don’t have to wait long. I knew that he would show up eventually.

Who wouldn’t after seeing their captive under the bed for what felt like it was probably close to an hour?

Aiden leaves the door open behind him. He’s gotten too complacent. He probably thinks that he has the upper hand after that stunt he pulled the other day. The one I walked him straight into, the one I know he has to have been thinking about since it happened.

He played straight into my hand that day. And I’m sure that he’s going to play into it again.

At the end of the day, men are simple creatures. They’re always going to think with their dicks first, and it works even better if they think you’re helpless. It makes them pliable, it pulls out an innate weakness in them.

It makes them exploitable.

Aiden says nothing, standing there and staring at me.

A slight heat flares through my body.

There’s no denying that the man is attractive, even when he’s holding me as his prisoner.

What I still don’t get is why he had to do that farce of a wedding. What does he get from me being his wife?

Doesn’t matter. I’ll divorce him the second I’m out of here.

Right now, I just need him to come a little closer.

As I prop up on my forearms, I keep my hands flat on the bed, hiding the metal from sight still. “Can I help you?”

“Why were you under the bed?” He glances around the room like he’s looking for something that might be out of place.

“Watching me on your cameras?” I smile, tilting my head to the side just a little as I look at him. “Were you hoping to see something specific or were you just being a pervert?”

His nostrils flare slightly, his hands clenching a little tighter. “Don’t fuck with me, Zoe. I’m not in the mood today. Your sister has been nothing but a pain in my ass.”

The corner of my mouth twitches. “Is she? I had no idea she could be like that. Tell me, how long ago did she find out I was here? Is she trying to come see me? I bet she is, and I’m willing to bet it’s eating you alive.” I narrow my eyes at him. “You want her unwavering loyalty, and you’re never going to get it.”

“And you thinkyouhave it?”

I get up and clasp my hands behind my back, the piece of metal digging into my palm as I pace back and forth. “No. I know that I’m never going to be the one she’s loyal to. I know she’ll stick by Royce no matter what. But he’s loyal to her like that too. He didn’t have to trick her into saying I do.”

He scoffs. “Neither did I. But it was fun watching you squirm, thinking you were married to me.”

My heart stops in my chest. “What?”