Page 47 of Survival

“I’m not asking, Jaden,” he said, cockinghis head to the side. “This conversation is over and no longer upfor debate. You will do what is expected of you and that will bethe end of it.”

He then took my arm and tugged me back alongthe shore.

It’s not over,I said to myself.Not until you’re six feet under.

Chapter Fifteen

Compromise

I didn’t even realize it when we got back tothe house. I felt numb inside, unable to cope with the depths of myreality. When we reached my room, Darren opened the door andushered me inside then closed it behind him. I stood blankly in theroom, clenching my fists at my side, unsure of what to do withmyself when I felt the sudden slap of Darren’s hand make contactwith my face. It wasn’t as hard as the other had been, but it wasenough to distract me from the internal debate I was having withmyself.

I looked up at him with a confused scowl onmy face. “The fuck was that for?” I asked, rubbing my hand againstthe heat of my cheek.

“Stop cussing,” he ordered, pointing at me.“And I was just bringing you back to reality.” He placed his handsin his pockets, a tiny hint of a smirk in the corner of hislips.

I gave him a hard look. “Becauserealityis so much better than what’s goingon in my head.”

“Don’t insult me, Jaden,” he warned, takinga step toward me. I instinctively put my left foot back, slowlyturning my body to the side. “You will adjust eventually andrealize the gift I am giving you.”

I actually laughed out loud a little.

“Yes, the gift of imprisonment for the restof my life. How did I become so lucky?” I chuckled, waving my armsaround for emphasis.

Darren then grabbed me and shoved me downontothe bed, his hands holding myupper arms in a vise grip as he staredatme.

“Sarcasm will get you nowhere with me,” hegrowled.

“Fuck you, Darren,” I retorted.

I didn’t know what the fuck it would takefor me to just give it up and let him own me, but it just wasn’t inmy blood. I did not have a submissive bone in my body, and I had afeeling that no matter what he did to me, I would just pop back uplike the weed he couldn’t kill.Maybe,in the end, he would come to respect andappreciate that. He did buy me for my strength, after all.

“If you insist,” he snarled with asnake-like grin.

Fuck.

He then pulled me forward, grabbing mywrists and wrenching my arms up to theheadboard. I fought against him, fighting with everythingI had, but he was too heavy for me to move. He straddled me andheld my wrists with one hand above my head while he took out hisphone. Pressing a button, my wrists were forced together throughthe bars of the metal headboard, effectively keeping my wrists inplace above my head. My feet remained unrestrained and I wasn’tsure why. He had to know I would mess up his face with my foot thesecond I got the chance. But he stayed where he was, now straddlingmy legs, and pulled his shirt up over his head.

God, that body of his. So strong and tonedunderperfectlysmooth skin. Evenwith all the scars and tattoos, to the naked eye, he was abeautiful sight to see. He had to work out like a maniac to retainhis physique, and I couldn’t help but appreciate the results.

“You know what I think would be the most perfect tattoo onyou?” he suddenly said as he gazed down at me, a smugsmileonhisface.

“I’m breathless to hear it,” I saidsarcastically.

“My name,” he said darkly.

“What?”

“You heard me. I think it would be so sexy to see my namebolded permanently on to thisperfect,beautifulskin of yoursso that everyone who sees you will know right away that you’remine.”

“I’d really rather you didn’t,” I saidseriously.

“And remind me of what choice it is that you haveagain?”

“Darren, please,” I pleaded, sounding more annoyed than Ishould. “You don’t need to tattoo me to claimme.”

“You’re right, I don’t … but it doesn’t mean I don’t wantto.”

I was silent now,hoping he wasn’t serious. “They would be so perfect,” he saidreaching up and rubbing the underside of my wrists with his thumbs,“right here.”