Page 72 of Paper Doll

“Live with us, serve us, and we’ll make sure you’re protected,” Wes provides, the casual cruelty in his tone sending a chill racing down my spine.

My eyes bounce between the Kings, brain struggling to process this bizarre ‘offer’ they’re making. They don’t move or speak, just watch me silently, like they’re waiting to see if I’ll break down and lose it.

I refuse to let them see me break.

Sitting up a little straighter, I square my shoulders, trying my best to push back my rising fear. “Protection isn’t a free pass to be used like some piece of property,” I mutter.

Raf’s jaw tightens, his dark-eyed gaze searing into my damn soul.

“Well, nothing comes for free,” Ford remarks, the mocking edge to his tone twisting the knife.

The room suddenly feels colder. I pull the sleeves of Raf’s hoodie down over my hands, the thick black fabric swallowing up my slender frame.

“And what if I say no?” I rasp, lifting my chin and trying to sound a whole lot braver than I feel right now.

Wes regards me with a mixture of amusement and something darker. “After what happened today, do you really wanna take that chance? All you have to do is say yes, and you’ll become campus royalty, no one can touch you again.”

Well damn, when he puts it like that…

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t mildly intrigued by this turn of events. I’ve been forced to comply with the Kings’ demands thus far, and I haven’t been given anything to show for it except their brand on my ass. They’ve made me feel powerless, but here they are, offering me some modicum of power back. Would I be a fool not to jump at the chance?

I turn to find Raf watching me with a hint of hesitation in his stance, but it’s gone as soon as I notice it. “It’s a simple decision, Ava,” he snaps impatiently.

A decision I’m not ready to make.I clench my fists, eyes darting between the guys. They’re so sure of themselves, soconfident that they’ve backed me into a corner and I have no way out. There has to be a catch to this whole thing. When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is– and I’m sick and tired of their mind games.

“Protection comes at a price,” Wes sighs, stabbing his fingers through his hair. “It’s up to you if you’re willing to pay.”

My anger flares, heat rising in my cheeks. “You want me to be your prisoner.”

Wes shrugs. “Some girls would kill for the chance.”

“But you don’t really need to worry about that,” Ford adds, winking. “It’s an exclusive offer, only for you, Ava baby.”

I swallow thickly, my throat burning with the acidic taste of bile. I suddenly realize I’m trembling, hating myself for letting them see it, fighting the urge to push up from the bed and run. “So I have to give up everything I am, just to be safe,” I grit out.

“Now you’re catching on,” Ford drawls, grinning like a cat.

My head spins. They seem to have this all figured out, and I’m just another piece in their game that I never signed up to play.

Maybe it’s not too late to move my pieces on the board, though. If becoming their Doll gives me some modicum of power on this campus, then perhaps I can use it to my advantage; take down their whole twisted regime from the inside.

They may have started this game, but that doesn’t mean I can’t win.

A newfound confidence surges through me and I sit up a little straighter, staring them down. “If I do this, then I want to discuss terms, first,” I say firmly.

Wes barks a sharp laugh. “Not as shy as you seem, huh?”

Raf steps closer, anger practically radiating off him. “This isn’t a negotiation, slut,” he snarls. “If you’re our Doll, you’re expected to do what we want, when we want it. You’ll be ours. Completely.”

I feel my resolve cracking, but I manage to hold onto my false bravado. “So you want to use me?” I scoff, the horror of that reality slowly sinking in. “And I’ll have to pretend I’m okay with it?”

Ford tilts his head, a smirk playing on his lips. “You won’t have to pretend, Ava. You’ll love it.”

I shake my head adamantly. “I won’t.”

I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince, them or myself.

Raf watches me carefully, his eyes darker than ever. He makes me more anxious than the other two combined with the way he always seems to be able to read me.