Page 2 of Prove Me Wrong (The Sunburnt Hearts #5)

MIA

THREE YEARS LATER

“ S top!” I grit out, trying to claw my way out of his grip. Nails digging into his flesh, Ryan’s hands hold me down like iron clamps, willing me to stay still beneath him.

Pulse drumming wildly in my throat, I fight to free myself from his grip, but it’s useless. His naked body weighs me down, feeling heavy against my leaner muscles that are alive with fiery adrenaline.

“Shut it, Mia,” Ryan seethes, mouth snarling. Deep chocolate eyes glare into mine, vivid with hatred and lust that it almost makes me vomit. I tremble beneath him like a branch caught in a thunderstorm.

Hand rising, my eyes clamp shut quickly when the sound echoes through the room a beat later, pain flaring across my cheekbone. Tears slip down my face, body vibrating, as his hands press into me.

“Stop being a brat! Stop fighting me,” Ryan grunts out, pinning me down once more. I thrash against the bed, trying anything to get him off me.

Swallowing loudly, I gasp as his hand reaches between my legs, shoving my underwear aside.

Out of instinct, I clamp my thighs together, muscles pulsing.

“Ryan, stop!” My words come out as more of a plea than a threat.

Hot tears sting in my eyes, tumbling down my cheeks as his other hand wraps tightly around my neck and squeezes.

Choking and clawing at his arm, menacing deep irises glare down like I'm prey. “I told you to shut up. I won’t tell you again, Mia. Listen to me or I’ll beat you unconscious and then ruin you into pieces like you deserve.

” His tone is so low and murderous that I fear I might die right here, beneath him, with his hand touching me in places I don’t want to be touched.

“You’re too broken now, anyway. No one else will want you when I'm finished with you.”

Hand slipping from my throat, I gasp loudly, filling my screaming lungs again. Eyes flaring widely, his fingers dig into me aggressively and I cry out in pain. “Ryan! Get off me!”

His jaw clenches so tightly I see the outline of every muscle in his jaw like rocks underneath his flesh. Rage and thirst burn through his harsh glare, shifting into something lethal and darker like demonic orbs.

“I don’t—don’t want this.” I stutter out as pain shoots through my body, breath failing to escape my throat from the build up of pressure weighing me down. Every muscle beneath my trembling skin is tense from the effort of trying to push him off.

I never wanted this. What should have been a casual relationship, something to keep my friends quiet and accept me into their group, has turned into this.

“Oh, I think you do,” he snarls out. His lips move to my ear, voice dropping so low that it sends shivers down my spine. “And if you tell anyone, they won’t believe you, so don’t even bother fighting me.”

Squirming again, my smaller body feels useless against his thicker frame.

Panicking, I do the only rational thing I can think of doing when I’m under this much stress.

My mind is in overdrive and my heart feels like it might implode, melting the rest of me like a dying star bursting with overwhelming energy.

My fingers reach down between us, and for a second, I see a flash of relief pouring over Ryan’s features.

He actually believes I’ve changed my mind, and I want to pleasure him.

Grabbing hold of him, I squeeze as hard as I can until his face twists in agony, wincing loudly. Slipping off the side of the bed, Ryan falls to the floor with a thud, holding himself and whimpering like a coward.

Quickly scrambling to my feet, I catch sight of myself in the mirror hanging on his wall. I only have my underwear on, and bruises decorate my pale flesh, along with fresh nail marks.

Why did I agree to be with this man? I don’t love him. I’ve never loved him.

Gulping, I dash to the other side of the bedroom, holding up my delicate hands in defence as Ryan writhes on the floorboards, nose scrunched as he groans.

“You deserve that, you pig!” I snarl at him. “If I say no, then I mean it!”

I don't register swiping my phone off the side table where I left it moments after entering the room, nor do I take my eyes off the man lying in a heap at my feet as I adjust my underwear and slip into my forgotten clothes beside the bed.

Despite having my body covered again, I feel violated, used and worthless.

Nothing can cover how shattered I feel inside now—completely torn apart and stomped on.

Moving towards the closed door, I pull it open, my escape route at the tip of my fingers, only for Ryan’s hand to shoot out from behind me, slamming it shut. How'd he get up so quickly? Pushed against it, cheek mashing against the wood, Ryan breathes heavily into my ear like a panting tiger .

More tears roll down my face.

How am I going to escape him?

Fear pours down my spine in trickles of ice, my breathing erratic when he pulls on my hair, forcing my chin up. Legs tightening, sweat cakes my neck and armpits as I try not to shake like a leaf.

Ryan leans forward, teeth grazing the shell of my ear. “You don’t get to tell me what to do.” His voice is barely audible, but to me, it’s as loud as a siren blaring through the streets at midnight. “I just wanted to make you happier.” The words sting my chest with their bitterness.

My throat works as I feel his hand on my back. I shake my head, but he doesn’t understand. I don’t want to do this.

I never wanted this.

This has never made me happy.

“You’re too weak to fight me off, Mia, so you may as well let me get what I want.

Nobody else will want you now, so obey me like the good girl you are.

No man wants something that’s used. I’m all that you have now, and you’d be stupid to run from me.

And I know where you live, Mia. I’ll know where to look.

And if you think I’m bluffing, I know where your parents live, too. I’ll happily drive there and?—”

I move so quickly that Ryan doesn’t have time to catch me. My arm extends towards his face as my leg kicks up, striking him right in his groin again.

A crushing sound silences us as Ryan falls to his knees, grunting painfully, holding himself. I take the moment of reprieve as my opportunity to bolt.

Dashing into the living room, heart slamming into my rib cage, I grab my bag from the couch, pluck my shoes off the floor, and leg it out of the apartment barefoot, not caring if people stare at me.

Tears stream down my face and neck like a waterfall, my chest palpitating rapidly, hands sweaty and stomach burning as I skid to a stop by the elevator.

Jamming the button a thousand times, it says it’s still on the bottom floor.

It’ll take at least thirty seconds to arrive.

Groaning through loud sobs, I race towards the stairwell, thrusting the door open and galloping down the steps two at a time.

What if he’s already after me? He’s fast on his feet, faster than my shorter legs can carry me.

Bursting from the doorway, I collect myself as I emerge in the foyer of the apartment building.

He could be right behind me. Right on my tail, coming to finish what he failed to take from me once again.

The foyer is quiet, apart from the desk attendant who was busy a moment ago until I made my entrance known with the door banging against the wall. Making eye contact with me, he stands from his seat, watching me curiously.

He looks as though he might approach me, gaze sweeping over the marks on my skin and the tears staining my cheeks, but I shake my head at him, not wanting him to come any closer. I don’t want anyone near me. I don’t want a stranger to touch me.

Understanding my silent words, the man stands like a statue as I hurry out into the bright afternoon light.

Summer sunlight streams through the city streets.

The glare is unbearable as I shield my eyes from the sun with my hand, trying to collect myself and get my bearings straight.

Gulping down the lump in my throat, I start the walk home before remembering Ryan's threatening words.

I know where you live, Mia. I’ll know where to look. And if you think I’m bluffing, I know where your parents live, too.

The first place he’ll come looking for me is my apartment. I can’t go back there. I won’t feel safe there ever again .

Spinning on my heel, I dash the opposite way with my runners in my hands. In the whole of Sydney, there is only one safe haven that Ryan won't be able to find. I know I'll be safe there.

Weaving through the crowded street, I stop at a red light, waiting for the walk signal to shift.

Peering over my shoulder, my eyes scan the path for Ryan’s shiny dark hair and eyes, but he’s nowhere to be seen.

Fear continues to prickle my spine, waiting for him to appear.

I know he’s after me; he watched me run, finally getting free from his grip after all this time.

My kick wouldn’t have kept him down for that long. He might have already reached the foyer, and the attendant showed him where I ran. What if he’s already on his way to catch me?

Anxious waves flow through me, my breaths short and shallow, as I try not to vomit on the ground.

Strangers standing around me sweep their eyes over me, searing holes into my skin.

Can they see the bruises on my arms or the ones likely forming around my throat in the shape of two hands?

I swallow hard and keep my eyes forward, avoiding their questioning looks.

Exhaling a shaky breath, the signal finally changes, and I continue running towards the towering apartment building I’m so familiar with.

My fingers scramble to press the call button, praying for him to be home. The attendant inside stares at me with a watchful gaze through the glass doors. Realising who I am, Luke’s features shift to concern as he buzzes me through the doors, into the safety of the foyer.

Rushing up to him, Luke looks me up and down as I try catching my breath, hair frazzled and eyes flared. “I need to see Sinnett,” I plead, heart pounding wildly.

Luke’s eyes hold mine, throat working as if he's struggling to make sense of my state. “Mia, what happened? ”

A sob escapes my throat, but I fight to keep the dam from spilling over. “Please.” My voice cracks as I desperately hold in tears. “I need to see him.”

Luke’s jaw tightens as he nods. “Right away. I’ll buzz you up.”

“Thank you.”

I dash down the corridor towards the penthouse elevator. It comes to a stop at the top floor, and I sigh with relief when I see Sinnett’s door. A new wave of tears floods my eyes as I bang on it with a closed fist, praying he's home.

There’s movement inside before the door swings open a second later.

“I swear you’re always—Mia.” Sinnett's breath hitches as his bright blue eyes flare with shock. His inky hair is styled to look effortlessly tousled, and he’s dressed casually in a tee and jeans, like he was waiting for someone else.

I stare back at my twin brother for a long beat before giving in to the overwhelming pressure building behind my eyes, threatening to crush them.

I slump against his familiar body, digging my head into his brawny chest as Sinnett’s protective arms encircle me.

Tattoos cover his right arm, making them look rough, but they’re comforting and warm to me.

“Mia, what happened?” His tone is low and sharp like a serrated knife edge.

I cry heavily into his overpriced shirt and know very well I’ve ruined it with my mascara, but I don’t care. I need my brother right now. I don’t want to be anywhere else.

“Ryan,” I croak out shakily, trembling against him.

Sinnett grunts furiously and pulls me into his apartment. He locks his door securely behind us, and I finally feel protected. Safe.

He can't hurt me now.