Page 96 of Reckoning

Above me, the semi-darkness turns to light, I know I’m no longer in the cellar, that I’m being taken to where my so-called husband is waiting for me.

Normally they hose me down first, normally they wash me and then dress me up to make me more appealing, so I guess I’m not going to the club, though that thought doesn’t give me any comfort. Otto’s already proven he can do whatever he likes and here, in the confines of his house, he morphs into something far more sadistic.

“Jesus.” Someone mutters when I’m finally dumped on a rug. My nails clench the soft fabric. I’m face down, my body curled up, pressed against it but I’m not wearing anything so I’m completely exposed and the cool air makes my skin erupt into goosebumps.

“She stinks.” Another voice says.

I hear Otto’s deep, throaty laugh and though I know I shouldn’t do it; I look up, I glare at him.

He’s leant against a sideboard, arms crossed, that arsehole grin across his face.

“Hello, wife,” He says in that tone that always puts the fear of god into me.

I don’t know what’s about to happen, I don’t know what he has planned for today but I know I’m going to have to endure every awful minute. I grit my teeth, telling myself that I can do this, that I can beat him, that I can endure, but what’s the point?

Roman is dead.

No one is coming to save me.

Darius won. He outplayed us.

My only salvation will be when my body finally gives out and I’m dead. Though that feels a long way off.

No, Otto will make sure I don’t receive a speedy one, he’ll ensure I live for years, that I suffer like this for decades.

A man squats down beside me. My breath goes more shaky and I can’t help the tremble as he runs one long finger right down my spine. “Is all of this necessary?” He asks.

“She’s mine to do as I like.” Otto replies.

Another man snorts.

I turn my head, counting, there’s four here, four men including my husband. Will they all rape me? Is that what this will be? Another night of the worst kind of degradation and abuse?

A pair of shiny oxfords appear by my head. They’re so shiny I can almost see my reflection. As the man leans down, I whimper.

“Ssssh,” He says, stroking my hair like I’m not disgusting. “If you’re a good girl you’ll have nothing to fear.”

It’s a lie. I know it is. Whatever they have planned is about them, not me.

He grips my chin, forcing me to look at him and my heart slams into my chest as I take in that hard face and those ice-cold eyes I’d recognise anywhere.

“You.” I gasp.

His lips quirk.

I might not have seen him in well over a decade but I know who he is. That moment in my father’s study was seared into my brain. And the man in front of me haunted my dreams for years afterwards.

“It’s been a while, Sofia.” He replies. “I must say, I expected to find you in a better state than you are.”

Otto huffs and I can’t make out the comment he makes.

“You said you didn’t hurt girls.” I stammer, not that I think this man is going to be my saviour, far from it.

The man laughs. “You do remember.” He sounds impressed, he sounds like he wants to give me some sort of prize. “Only, you’re not quite right, I said I don’t hurt little girls. You’re not little anymore, Sofia.”

Fear clutches at me, I don’t know why this man terrifies me as much as he does but I have to get away, I have to…

That chain around my neck is yanked and whatever futile attempts I make are just that; futile. I slam back onto the rug with a groan.