Page 52 of Riot’s Thorn (Sons of Erebus: Reno, NV #4)

“Exactly.” He pushes his legs between mine, forcing them to part.

He makes a sound of disgust, and I know what he sees: Riot’s dried cum between my thighs.

“You disappeared, and everyone thought you were dead. It wasn’t the best-case scenario, but I had my lawyers working on how to take over your dad’s company when the only heir was dead.

Then, like a gnat, you reappeared and, in just a couple of weeks, ruined everything.

Companies your grandfather started from the ground up are now gone, scrapped for parts and sold off. ”

“Knowing I made you lose money makes all that work worth it.”

“Except I had one last play: selling a young, rich, beautiful virgin. Not only would your new husband have rights to your wealth, but they’d have you to do with as they pleased. You have no family, no one to tell or run off to. It was perfect.”

“Until you found out I wasn’t a virgin.”

He yanks the blindfold off and uses it to tie my hands together.

Then, he rolls me over and roughly yanks my thong down my legs.

Pushing back on my knees, he spreads me wide, gazing down between my legs with a sneer.

“Fucking useless whore, just like your mother.” He moves to my side and holds my knees to my chest with an arm on the back of my legs.

His other hand comes down on my vagina with a loud smack .

The sting makes me hiss. Over and over again, he slaps me there until I’m screaming, tears from the pain wetting the comforter underneath me.

“Stop!” I yell as he calls me awful names. They’re the same names Riot calls me, but when he says it, I feel owned and desired. Hearing the words from Bart makes me feel dirty and used.

“This disgusting pussy will make me money one way or another.” Slap . “Which is why you’ll be spreading these legs for a group of my richest friends tonight, and after this”— Slap —“you’ll think of me each time one of them fucks you and it hurts even more than they intended.”

“You won’t get away with this.” It’s such a cliché line, but Riot won’t rest until I’m found. I know that for a fact.

He flips me over again and looms over me. “For a smart girl, you’re very stupid. Why do you think I haven’t been caught? Because men with the kind of money I have rule the fucking world. We’re above the law and can’t be touched, not even when we buy and sell obnoxious cunts like you.”

“You’re disgusting.”

“I’m a realist.”

“Riot and the Sons are probably looking for me right now.”

He rolls his eyes. “I’m not worried about some filthy bikers.”

“Then you’re underestimating your opponent.”

“They’re not my opponents. They’re a mild inconvenience at most.” He strides to the door. “Someone will be by soon to get you ready.”

The door shuts with a snick right before the lock engages.

It takes me only a minute to get my hands free, leaving me to think of a plan.

I can’t stay here, especially knowing what they do to the girls at those parties.

I wouldn’t survive it. Riot wouldn’t survive it.

Knowing I had those things done to me would fracture his brain in a way he wouldn’t come back from.

Standing, I grip my hair at the base of my skull and tug, hoping to stimulate some blood flow and make this headache go away.

First things first, I need a weapon. Quickly, I search the room from top to bottom, looking for anything that might help me escape, but I come up short.

The best I can do is use the heavy lamp on the nightstand.

I’m in the process of unplugging it when the door opens.

“Anadell?” I croak, seeing Bart’s wife walk in, not looking surprised at finding me here.

“Hello, Parker. Good to see you again.” The tall, willowy woman has always been poised and beautiful. With high cheekbones, full lips, and chocolate brown hair that’s curled into long waves, she reminds me of what a retired supermodel would look like.

“You have to help me get out of here.” I swallow hard. “Your husband, he wants to hurt me.”

It’s then I notice a garment bag over her arm and a makeup bag in her hand. She holds them up, and for the first time, I notice how dead her brown eyes are. “I’m here to prepare you. Please, don’t make this more difficult than it needs to be.”

“What?” I scoff. “You’re joking, right?”

She sets the items on the vanity and chair. “I don’t want to ask the guard to come in and restrain you. It makes this all an unpleasant experience.”

“Unpleasant? I’m being held here against my will. I’ve been through a lot of unpleasant things recently, and this is the worst. Given the fact that my dad was shot feet from me, that’s saying a lot,” I bite out.

“There’s a bathroom through that door. Please go shower with the products laid out for you. I also need your face washed and your teeth brushed.”

“Why? Why are you going along with this?” No matter how many mental gymnastics I do, I can’t figure out a world where another woman—a mother—can be okay with this.

She sighs. “Men like Bart. . . they get what they want, one way or another. Long ago, we agreed this was the best and safest way for him to release any unsavory proclivities he might have. Whenever his needs get to be too much for him to bear, he’ll arrange one of these events.

And when he comes home the next day, he’s my clear-headed and kind husband. ”

“So as long as your life is better, it’s okay he’s destroying others?”

“Just try and enjoy yourself as much as possible, and this will all be over soon.”

“Are you fucking delusional?”

“There’s no need to be crass,” she chides.

“Enjoy myself? Enjoy being raped and abused by who knows how many men? You think I’ll be able to go back to my normal life after this?”

“Of course not. They’ll kill you after you’ve given them everything you can.”

I shake my head and narrow my eyes, not believing my ears. How far gone must she be to think for one second that any of this is normal or okay? She knew me when I was a little girl. I played with her children. She sends me Christmas cards. None of this makes sense.

“Are you really this cruel, or does he have something over you?”

“Every woman has to make a choice. You can marry for love, or you can marry for power. I chose power, and with that comes a few concessions. Bart is allowed to have these experiences now and then, but the rest of the time he’s mine.

And I get all this.” She motions around the room.

“I have a beautiful home, and I spend my days doing whatever makes me happy. It’s a small trade-off. ”

“You’re revolting. I can’t wait to take you down.”

“That’s enough chit-chat, don’t you think?” She opens the door to the bathroom. “We don’t have much time, so if you wouldn’t mind?”

I will get out of this. I don’t know how, but I’m smart, and I have something to fight for.

My heart sinks knowing Riot’s out there hurting.

He’s probably blaming himself. He’s also probably pretty pissed off.

While I’ve only seen glimpses of Riot when he’s angry, I don’t have to stretch my imagination much to know how he’ll react.

I just have to hold on. If I can’t save myself, Riot will save me. I have no doubt.

“Sure.” My smile is big and real because she’ll get what’s coming to her, and I can’t wait to see it.