Page 165 of Scavenger's Oath

Then Bennett bends down, level with my eyes and wraps his fingers around my throat so tight there’s no room to breathe.

Freezing, I wait, hoping his anger will subside if I don’t fight. I can’t put myself at risk. Not with the baby.

He holds me there, just reminding me who he is. His power still real and so cruel. I fight the instinct to clutch my belly. If he notices, if he guesses…

“I’m not going to protect you anymore,” he warns, tone hollow. “You wanted multiple men? Fine, you’ll have your fill. We’ve got plenty lining up for you. See howtheylike your defiance. You’ll be dead in a week and heaven’s gates will be closed to you.”

His grip tightens for a second, just long enough to make the edges of the room blur. Then he lets go, standing and wiping hishand on his robe like I made him dirty.

Heaving for air, I tug on the metal around my throat, still feeling like I’m being choked.

“She’s all yours, Brother,” Bennett dismisses over his shoulder as he walks out. The door shuts with a finality that punches the air out of my lungs.

Derek turns to me smiling like he’s won the lottery, before that smile curls like a sneer. “Don’t worry,” he says, snapping the bolt on the door. “I’m not gonna share you. I’ve been waiting too long for this.”

I inch back on the mattress, spine hitting the wall. “Don’t touch me.”

“Oh, I’m gonna do a hell of a lot more than touch you, Ivy. I’ve been waiting a long time for this.” He walks slowly this time.

Not rushing.Savouring.

Each step drawing the air out of my lungs.

Chapter 54

Ivy

Derek’s eyes rake over my bare legs.

One of the boy’s shirts hangs loose over my body, no underwear underneath. Nothing to protect me.

My hands instinctively come up to my belly. He notices.

“Still playing mama, huh?” he laughs bitterly. “You ain’t carrying nothing. Not yet anyway.”

His gaze lingers on the hem brushing my thighs. “Fuck, you look better than I remember,” he murmurs. “Those freaks looked after you, huh? Honestly, I thought you’d die in the first week. But then word came back from scouts that you were shacking up with some hunks in masks.”

Memories flood my mind of Myles’s strong hands on me, Phoenix’s commanding growl and Zane’s gentle eyes.

The thoughts comfort me for a brief moment.

Until Derek steps closer, chuckling darkly as his eyes linger on the shirt. “I knew you’d be spreading your legs for them. Anything for a little favouritism, right? Same little tease you were with me. You know how many nights I jerked off thinking about you chained up in here? Or crawling around in one of the stalls in the barn like some pathetic little mutt?”

He barks a cruel laugh. “But you liked me once. Nowyou’re here dressed like a slut in someoneelse’sshirt. Like you forgot all those years we spent together.”

He crouches at the edge of the mattress, eyes glittering with dark hunger as his hand trails up my shin.

I flinch. “Don’t.”

He grins wider. “Oh, Ivy. You’re still pretending you got a say in this? You know how this works. You’re my girl now.” His hand slides beneath the shirt—fingertips grazing my inner thigh.

I gasp and flinch away from his touch, but he stands and leans closer to make up for the distance.

“You know they’re not coming for you, right?” he says casually, like he’s discussing the weather. “That devil-masked freak, the big guy with those ugly scars? And that twitchy fucker with the skull mask? They’ve probably found a new piece of ass already. You think those freaks could ever love youlike me?”

His tone softens in mock sympathy, laced in condescension. “They don’t care about you, Ivy. They were just gettin’ their fill while you were givin’ it. They saw how desperate you were, and they used you.”

That can’t be true.I know it’s not!