Page 17 of Wonder

I pause beside the shower stalls. “I’ll be five minutes.”

“Use hers.”

My skin crawls at the thought. He follows me up to the entrance to Red’s sleeping area, taking up a stance beside the door as I push the curtain aside and duck through.

The glitz and glamor missing from the back areas is more than present here. Red’s love of luxury is everywhere, from the emerald silk sheets to the mountains of jewelry carelessly scattered across her dressing table. Jeweled curtains surround us, the filthy floor covered with rich oriental rugs. Moroccan-style lanterns sit at intervals, illuminating the space with a warm glow.

All I feel is cold, as I stare at it all.

I give the emperor bed a wide berth, heading into the separate area she uses for bathing. The wide shower, meticulously assembled at every location by the building team, spurts out drops before the hot spray begins to trickle down. Reluctantly, I shuck off my clothes and step under the spray.

Slowly, I wash any hint of Alyss Lidell away. Replace the scent of cherries with coconut and shea butter, Red’s preferred scents.

Alyss Lidell doesn’t belong in this space. But thoughts of her linger in my head as I wash my hair, as I step out and clean my teeth.

Other thoughts threaten too. Thoughts of betrayal, and memories, and grief.

My hands tighten against the sink when she speaks. “You seem to have an issue following instructions lately, Hatter.”

“My apologies.” I turn, pushing those thoughts away. Red leans against the door, lips pursed.

Irritation flits across her face when I don’t walk to her. My feet stay rooted to the spot.

Her lips twist, turning her expression from contemplative into a scowl. “Get on your knees.”

The floor here is cold. I wait as she disappears, returning with something in her hands.

“Somebody needs a reminder of who they belong to,” Red says softly. My back stiffens as she approaches. “Who do you belong to, Hatter?”

I keep my mouth closed.

Red’s nails rake down my cheek. “Answer me.”

My voice is a rasp. “Not you.”

A slap this time, directly over the marks. Her empty hand twists into my hair, yanking my face up. “Who do you belong to?”

I say it again.

Again.

She’s panting when she finishes. My face feels wet, my cheek stinging. “Always so fucking honest. Do you truly hate me that much, Hatter?”

I lift my eyes to hers, letting her see every bit of the hate I hold for her. “I fuckingdespiseyou.”

No matter what she does or says, I’ll never tell her what she wants to hear.

I do not belong to her.

Red’s lips thin as she holds the collar up. “Perhaps this will serve as a reminder that your words mean nothing, then.”

Property of Red.

It’s engraved into the black metal that she places around my neck.

I stare straight ahead as Red presses her lips to my bleeding cheek. To my shoulder, before she pulls back with a sigh. Her eyes travel across my face. “Why do you have to tempt me so?”

“Perhaps you should get rid of me then,” I say quietly. “Since I’m not giving you what you want.”