Page 57 of Retribution

No. This can’t be happening.

‘Get her up.’

I’m pulled to my feet and a smirking Joe pulls the short dress up to my waist.

‘If you don’t want to wear the clothes I buy for you, you don’t have to,’ he says, ripping down the coarse underwear.

I gasp behind the Nurse’s fingers as I feel Marcus’ hand edging downward to touch me, but Joe slaps it away.

‘I’ve told you, you’ll get your chance once she’s in the family, brother, but not before.’

I hear Marcus chuckle darkly in my ear.

I feel more straps being wrapped deftly around my waist. Tears are falling down my cheeks, making the skin itch.

‘Don’t want it coming off,’ Joe says with a wink just as I jerk my head and bite down on one of the nurse’s fingers when it gets between my teeth.

She yowls, pulling my head back by my hair hard and hissing into my face through her clenched teeth to let go.

Joe ignores her. He tests the straps, making sure they’re tight, his fingers against my skin.

‘These are pretty much unbreakable, so don’t bother trying to cut them.’

He finally steps away from me, leaving me uncovered from the waist down for everyone in the room to see.

‘Let her go.’

I’m freed.

I immediately claw at the straps, wanting this thing off of me.

‘I wouldn’t do that,’ Joe warns

I ignore him, tears blurring my vision.

‘What the hell?’ says a new voice.

My hands fumble to pull my dress down and I turn to find Laurie at the door, frozen in her tracks and staring at me.

‘Babe, I told you to wait in my room for me,’ Marcus says tightly.

‘What’s going on in here? Why isshehere?’

Marcus goes to her, pushing her gently from the room. ‘You know that girl is nuts. That’s just to make sure she doesn’t hurt anyone. It’s for safety.’

‘Butwhy?—’

‘I’ll explain it all later, babe. I promise.’ I vaguely hear him say as the door closes.

I pull at the straps again, making a noise of distress.

‘Stop doing that Marguerite,’ Joe orders.

I shake my head. I can’t speak. I can’t do anything except try to get it off.

Then there’s pain. It courses through me, much worse than anything I’ve ever felt.

My mouth opens on a silent scream as my muscles lock and then convulse. I hit the floor hard, my head thudding against it with a crack.