Page 145 of Dancing with the Devil

“No—don’t leave me,” I shook my head, digging my nails into his arm.

“Nirah, you’re shaking. I have to see who’s downstairs,” he said, and I wrapped my arms around his waist.

“Please,” I choked out. “Don’tgo. Don’t leave me,” I pleaded in fear, burying my face in his chest.

“Hey, you’re going to be fine,” he assured me. “I’ll be right back.” He took my face in his hands and kissed me. He left the room, and without thinking, I ran out, following him downstairs. We reached to the kitchen, and he put his arm out, pushing me behind his back.

Hewas sitting behind the kitchen island now. He lifted his head, eating a sandwich. “Jesus Christ,” Antonio sighed, dropping his gun. “At this fucking hour?” he snapped and the man grinned.

“Since when has it been wrong for me to visit my little brother at inconvenient times?” he chuckled and my heart nearly stopped as panic lodged in my throat.Little brother? No. He can’t be… He just can’t.

But that explains it. The reason why some of the things Antonio said, the certain looks in his eyes and the way he changed his tone made me shudder. It reminded me of his brother.Alexander.Oh my God.And their father’s voice last night…

It was as though the wind had been knocked out of my lungs as my body stilled.

“You couldn’t come sooner?” Antonio asked and Alexander got up. He casually dropped his plate and half of a sandwich into the sink.

“I tried,” he simply shrugged his shoulders and my legs buckled at the sound of his voice. “And who do we have here?” he flatly asked, stretching his neck to see me behind Antonio.

Antonio looked back at me, slipping his hand to my lower back.I can’t tell Antonio. I can’t do this to him.

Alexander looked exactly the same as he did years ago. “Alexander,” he smirked, extending his hand out to me.He doesn’t remember me?

“Nirah,” I tried steadying my voice with a smile. I shook his hand and goosebumps trailed up the nape of my neck. Mischief loomed in his eyes and I pulled away, subtly gripping the material of Antonio’s pants as I stepped back.

Their mother entered the kitchen, glowing with joy at Alexander. “You’re here,” she beamed, taking his face in her hands. She pressed two kisses to each of his cheeks and disgust wrapped around every part of me.

“I’m going to—I have to get to bed,” I rushed through my words.

I got to my bedroom and quickly closed the door, locking it. I ran over to my bed, sitting up against the headboard. I brought my legs up to my chest, hugging them.

He’s here. And he’s Antonio’s brother. I can’t expose him. No one would believe me. He’s a powerful man and I… No no no no—

I bit quivering bottom lip as tears rushed down my face. Flashbacks rushed into my mind and I felt my lungs burn in my chest. I pulled my t-shirt from my neck, unable to breathe. A pitgrew in my stomach and my skin crawled. I wanted to climb out of my skin, feeling sick to my stomach.

The memories, the awful nightmares, it all came flooding back. I pressed both my palms to my ears, hearing my screams echo into the night. I could hear them grunting, groaning and degrading me. I couldfeelthem between my legs. I could feelhim.

My doorknob rattled and my head snapped up. I heard the constant struggling before footsteps retreated. My chest fell, and relief washed over me. Moments later, a key slipped into the door and my stomach dropped as I heard a click.No.

Alexander strode in and closed the door behind himself. “Nirah Joy,” he slyly said and I jumped up, shaking my head.

“Get out,” I bitterly said, but he continued walking towards me.

“What areyoudoing withmylittle brother?” he mused and my body tensed. “I don’t see you in years, and then you show up at my brother’s house? What are you guys, fuck buddies?” he grinned and I walked backward until my back hit the wall.

“You don’t know?” I murmured with tears swelling in my eyes and he slightly tilted his head to the side.

His eyes sent a shiver down my spine. “Know what? That you’re a slut who sleeps her way to the top?” he taunted, stopping in front of me.

I tried to push him back but he grabbed my wrists, pinning them to the wall beside my head. “Silly, little, Nirah Joy. Did you already forget that you can’t hurt me?” he smirked, leaning closer. “I’m stronger than you,” he whispered.

I tried to move but my body simply went numb. It always did under his touch. No matter how much strength I had… it always disappeared when he held me down. Even now. I felt paralyzed.Weak.

He pressed his lips to mine and I groaned in disgust, biting his lip. He huffed, pulling back.

“You’re making me angry,” he growled, pressing his torso against mine to hold me still and I shuddered in disgust. “Do you remember what happens when I’m angry or should I remind you?” he questioned, kissing my neck and I tried to wiggle myself out of his grip.

“Stop,” I pleaded and he pressed the bulge in his pants between my thighs. “No,” I tried to lift my legs. His awful cologne drifted into my nose, nauseating me.No, please.