Page 53 of Pretty Lies (Watch Me Burn #1)

“I lied and told him that you’re my boyfriend today in hopes of him freaking out and sending me packing.

I’m sorry I used your name and crew like that, but I had to make him stop.

I swear I got more desperate when I realized who he was.

As predicted, he freaked out and left the room.

Then Caden showed up and beat the living shit out of him. ”

“You didn’t know who he was?” Skeeter asked, sounding confused before glancing down at Caden. “You got him good?”

“He’s choking on blood,” he replied, earning a nod of respect from Skeeter.

“Good.”

“He had her in a box with her lower body sticking out and her legs restrained apart. You know those gloryhole things on porn? It was like that. He had her wrists tied to it too so she couldn’t move,” Caden mumbled, Skeeter’s body vibrating with rage as he looked at me.

“Did he say anything to you?”

“He didn’t speak until today when he was finished,” I whispered. “I’ve been in the box since he took me.”

“I’m going to kill him, Holloway. Your dad’s a dead man. Get in my way, and I’ll fucking kill you too.”

Caden snorted, his eyes not straying from me in the slightest.

“You can have whatever’s left of him. He’s no fucking father of mine.”

“Shouldn’t we take her to the hospital?” Tyler asked uneasily from across the room, reminding me that the others were here, but I shook my head in panic.

That couldn’t happen. Cops would get involved, and I wasn’t okay with that.

“No! I don’t want anything on record or?—”

“I’ve got you, baby girl. I can get my guy to come here, if you want? He’s not exactly a professional doctor, but he patches us all up when needed and has some medical training. He’d know if you need further medical attention.”

I was too exhausted to go anywhere, so I nodded, letting him place me back on Caden’s lap while he went and made the call, fighting tears as I met Jensen’s gaze again.

Too many emotions swirled around inside me, and for a moment, I just wanted to go back to one of those days where me and Jensen just hung out and joked around.

I missed the feeling of belonging that they’d given me, even if it had been a lie.

Hot tears pooled at the memories, and I reached both arms out to him like a child. I needed him to tell me it would be okay. Then maybe I’d start believing it.

Relief washed through me as he moved onto the couch beside Caden and let me crawl into his lap, his arms wrapping around me tightly but not tight enough to hurt me as I buried my face in his neck and clung to him.

We didn’t speak, he just held me as we waited for Skeeter’s doctor to arrive, then he placed me safely between himself and Caden when Skeeter led the man in.

The guy frowned as he glanced at me but spoke to Skeeter. “I’m unsure what damage I’m meant to be looking at, Skeet.”

Skeeter scowled. “All of her. Head to toe. She was held captive and assaulted.”

“Yeah, alright, man. Chill,” he replied, his eyes softening on me. I hated being so weak and helpless.

I’d fought too hard to claw my way out last time, so there was no way in hell that I was going to allow Tristan to destroy me completely.

I’d never give him that.

“Hey, sweetheart. I’m Otto. I know you won’t want to, but I need you to part your legs for me.”

I hadn’t thought that through.

My body stiffened even though I knew I needed to show him, but Jensen kissed my shoulder to show he was there for support.

“It’s okay, babe. Do you want everyone to leave, or?—”

“Why? Everyone except the doctor’s basically seen my fucking pussy before,” I snapped, but he ignored my tone. Everyone could see that I was shitting my fucking pants.

“We’ll just step into the other room,” Lukas murmured, nudging Tyler to encourage him to leave. He didn’t want to, but he must have decided it was better for me if he did.

Jensen’s voice was gentle as he spoke, calming me the slightest amount.

“Alright. Give me and Caden your hands.” I hesitated before placing my shaking hands in theirs, and Jensen gave me a small smile. “I’m going to hold your leg to the side, okay? Nice and slow.”

His other hand went to my knee and gently moved it from the other, my eyes clamping shut as tears threatened to spill.

The familiar feeling of Caden’s hand rested on my other leg, which somehow calmed me a little bit more.

Otto was gentle and patient with me, giving me small breaks when I became close to a complete breakdown, and once he was done checking me for internal tearing, he asked me to remove Caden’s hoodie so he could inspect the rest of me.

I carefully pulled it over my head and held it against my chest as I leaned forward so he could check my back, arms, and neck.

He gave Skeeter a satisfied nod when he was finished, turning to give me privacy as I put my arms through the hoodie again and pulled it back over my head to cover myself.

“Most damage appears to be emotional. It doesn’t seem like he was rough with the assaults, so despite being tender, there’s no tearing that I could tell.

The burn on her thigh needs to be cleaned to stop infection, and I’d advise she gets tested for pregnancy and STDs just to be safe since he didn’t use protection.

Maybe stop cutting her up too, if the healed cuts on her shoulder were you.

You’re scarring her body,” he scolded, but Skeeter smirked.

“I like my girls damaged. Thanks for coming around, I’ll get Slash to pay you later.”

He nodded, saying goodbye to us before leaving, and Skeeter instantly turned to Caden with a stern expression.

“I’ve got some shit to deal with. If anything happens to her, I’ll fucking kill you.”

I jolted up from my spot on the couch with wide eyes, panic in my voice at the thought of him going anywhere.

“You’re leaving? You can’t fucking leave!” I was being whiney and pathetic, but I was entitled to it.

“Babe, I’ve got to deal with this amongst my guys,” he replied with a sigh, but I could tell he wasn’t being impatient with me, he’d just known my reaction was going to happen and didn’t want me fighting him.

I shook my head, my voice breaking as I kept begging him. I didn’t give a shit how stupid I looked.

“You can’t leave me with them, Skeet. Fuck no.”

“Of course I can.”

“But—”

He gave me a small smile, unfamiliar kindness in his eyes as he stroked my cheek affectionately.

“They aren’t playing games, baby girl. I’d kill them if they even thought about it, but they love you. I promise you’re safe. I’ll check in with you later.”

He dropped a kiss on my head before walking out, already on the phone to round up his crew.

I just wished he’d taken me with him.