Total pages in book: 266
Estimated words: 250787 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1254(@200wpm)___ 1003(@250wpm)___ 836(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 250787 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1254(@200wpm)___ 1003(@250wpm)___ 836(@300wpm)
How long have I been out? I willingly took that pill he offered me. Who knows what it was and how long it affected me. Even now, I feel wobbly. A single bulb that hangs from the low ceiling gives me just enough light to see that my dull eyes look dilated and bloodshot.
I’m also naked. No surprise. My eyes quickly scan my tan skin. I don’t see any bruises, but the leather has begun to irritate me. I see two more that I hadn’t seen a minute ago. Each one wrapped around my arms above my elbows. Little golden locks get my attention, telling me that I can't remove the belts even if I could unlatch my wrists from my thighs. They’ve all been locked in place. Another set of belts is wrapped around my ankles. But the ones around my upper arms make me nervous. Why are they in that spot? What could he possibly do with them?
Taking a few steps back, I step on something that digs into my foot. “Ow.” I wince and hobble to the side until my ass hits the countertop behind me. I look down to see what I stepped on. It’s a large drain in the center of the room. The floor seems to slant toward it. It’s not the kind you see in a shower or bath. It’s the kind you see on the side of the road—a storm drain.
Walking over to it, I kneel and bend forward, trying to lean over to where I can wrap my right hand around one of the bars and attempt to pull it up. Grinding my teeth, I pull with all I can, but it doesn’t budge. “Shit.” I hiss, letting go and sitting back.
“HAIDYN?” I shout, starting to get really pissy. My voice echoes in the small room, and I drop my head, trying to catch my breath and slow my racing heart. It won’t do me any good. I’m here because he wants me here. I chose to be his. Not like the alternative was any better. The Lords would wipe me off the face of the earth. And I’d still probably end up here at Carnage. That’s where those who betray their oath go. I’d be no different.
Fisting my hands, I pull them out to my sides, trying to tear the leather or yank it free, but it only pinches my skin once again on my thighs. They’re tight as fuck. I’m sweating, and it’s making them itch.
I drop them and suck in breath after breath, trying not to cry. I do that when I’m mad. Throwing my head back, I blow the hair from my slick face and look up at the ceiling. It’s so hot in here, and my mouth is dry.
A bright light flips on, and I duck my head, shutting my eyes. A door opening has me shaking where I kneel. It could be Haidyn or any other Spade brother for that matter. Three of them run this hell. And for all I know, he will let them all play with me. They shared Ashtyn, right? And if what my mother’s friend said was true, he loves her. I’m nothing to him.
Metal scraping on concrete has me flinching, but I remain where I’m at with my head down. A submissive pose. This is what he wants. A mindless toy he can control.
“Hello, doll face.”
His deep voice sends goose bumps over my already heated skin as it fills the small room. I open my eyes and peek up at him through my lashes.
He’s sitting in a chair, legs spread wide, hands on his jean-clad thighs. His posture looks relaxed, but his eyes look amused. He’s got that fucking baseball hat on backward that makes my stomach do flips, and he wears a white T-shirt that pulls against his hard chest and broad shoulders. He looks like a god, and I’m a chained pet.
Sitting up, he reaches out to push my wild hair from my face, but I pull back from his touch.
He pauses with his hand still inches from my face, and he smirks. “I brought you something.” Leaning down, he picks up a water bottle that sits by his feet, and my already dry mouth becomes the Sahara Desert as I look at the condensation on the plastic.
“Thirsty?” he asks, his eyes on mine.
I nod.
Lifting it in front of me, he gives it a little tilt, and it splashes on the drain that separates us. “Hai-dyn!” I shriek, and my voice cracks.
He rights it and arches a brow at me. “I asked you a question, Charlotte.” His voice is now a growl, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Yes.” I nod again, my arms pulling on the restraints. Those angry tears I try to hold back blur my vision. “I’m thirsty.” Taking in a calming breath, I ask, “May I please have a drink?”