Page 45 of Scavenger's Oath

She flinches at that, and my stomach clenches. Not with guilt. With the brutal reminder of how easily I could break her and how badly I don’t want to.

Fuck.

Shifting gears, I try to ‘soften’ my voice again. But this time, not out of kindness. Using the kind of softness that predators use to coax their prey out of hiding.

“You don't have to talk. Just… come sit closer to the bars. That's all. Let me see you're not planning to bite the hand that's feeding you.”

Her eyes search my face, and I see the cogs in her brain working. There’s the obvious distrust, but also… a hint of hope. As if she finally sees the wisdom in pleasing the monster instead of provoking it.

So, I give her a final push. “I can keep them away from you,” I promise. “All those dangerous men out there. I can make sure no one lays a finger on you. But I need something to work with. A reason to keep protecting you when it's costing me this much.”

After another long beat, Ivy shifts, cautiously sliding forward inch by inch, until she's at the bars.

I watch the movement like it’s sacred. Because I’ve never waited this long for anything, and goddamn it feels good tofinally see it.

My chest aches with hunger as I watch her silent surrender. Pride welling at seeing some progress after three weeks.

Her knees touch the cold iron bars, and she bows her head, naturally falling into the perfect submissive position.

And just like that… my panic settles. I can breathe again.

That's my goodgirl.

Chapter 16

Ivy

Myles sucks in a slow breath.

I know this silence isn't safety, not really. Silence is just the air between danger and the moment it strikes.

He’s still watching me. I can feel his eyes on every inch of my body. Myles radiates restless energy, like he could tear through walls just for the hell of it. Or through me.

I should be scared.

He wants me scared.

And Iam. Just… there are scarier people out there.

He said he’d protect me. That he’d make sure no one lays a finger on me. But I don't think he realises how much I need that protection. How many men are out there looking specifically for me.

I don't know how long I've been here, but I know I missed Jade, if she wasn’t already caught. She’ll be miles away by now.

And Bennett’s men are still looking for me. With knives and ropes, combing through towns, lifting up blankets in abandoned cars, kicking open barn doors. Searching for me like they did the last time I attempted to run away.

The thought sends a chill through my spine.

I can't let them find me. God knows what Bennett would doto me this time.

And this guy, Myles… he isn't like them. Not exactly. Sure, he's loud and violent. Unstable, even. But he's different.

He hasn’t hurt me like Bennett does and he’s been more patient than that old man could ever be.

Myles is gorgeous—in a frightening kind of way. He looks like he's carved out of war. Wild-eyed and handsome enough to make you flounder. All tattoos and tension, like a classic reckless bad-boy.

But his obsession isn’t selfish. He wants me to like it. That alone makes him nothing like Bennett.

It's stupid how much that matters, but I can't deny it changes things.