Stolen by Truths (Truth or Lies 4)

I don’t know what Milo is going to do. Is he going to hurt me now? I know he is a patient man, in a similar way Enzo is. They must have both gotten that trait from their father.

I know Milo is concerned Enzo will attack him. And that might be the only thing that saves me.

We reach the darkness of the basement, and then I see the cage. A cage much nicer than any cage I’ve ever been locked in.

“Go,” Milo says.

I skirt past Milo, but he grabs my hand at the last second before I can get inside the cage that will protect me from him.

He jerks me to his body, and I wince as my dislocated shoulder bumps into his chest.

“Don’t think you are safe. Not for a second. I know your boyfriend will try to make a move. I need to focus on him for now. But soon, you will wish you hadn’t made your deal. When I’m finished with you, your heart will no longer be Enzo’s.”

“My heart will always belong to Enzo.”

His mouth crashes down on mine. I keep my lips closed, refusing to let his slimy tongue inside, but he grabs my chin and forcing my jaw open to push inside.

I squirm, my heart thumps quicker than a hummingbird’s wings, my body trembles, and my breathing stops. I can’t handle the invasion of his tongue in my mouth. What if he tries more before I can stop him? I won’t survive.

He stops the kiss and looks me in the eye.

“I will steal your heart. You won’t give it willingly, but before our time is over, it will belong to me. Not because you love me, but because you can’t handle giving it away to any other man who will hurt you again.”

I gasp, and he pushes me forcefully into my cage. He locks the door carefully and then walks up the stairs without another word.

As soon as he leaves, I break. I pant heavily as tears burn and my heart speeds.

I gasp, trying to catch my breath as I hunch over. Nothing has ever affected me quite like that. That kiss was the worst torture. That threat was the worst threat.

I reach into the sock of my boot and find the knife that now seems stupid. It won’t be enough against Milo. I need more. More to protect myself.

I consider pressing the earrings to alert Liesel to send in whatever men are stationed here. I can’t wait for the perfect opportunity. But they would be sending the men to their deaths.

Milo is ready and waiting for Enzo to attack. We need to work down his patience. We need to get him vulnerable first.

I can do this.

I can save Enzo.

I pace around the room, trying to get the images that immediately flooded my head after that kiss out. But I know they are always going to be there hauntingly my dreams and even my thoughts. Of what that kiss threatened.

Milo will try to take everything from me.

He will try to rape me. But more than that. He will try to take away the love I have for Enzo.

I won’t let him do either.

He doesn’t get me as anything other than his prisoner.

I take long, deep breaths and finally feel the panic attack easing.

I sit down on the edge of the small mattress on the floor, careful not to hurt my arm.

When I close my eyes, I can feel Enzo. Milo kept him in this same room. I can smell his scent, see ruminants of his blood. And I pretend like the last time I was kept in a cage that Enzo is just on the other side of the wall, waiting for me.

I take another deep breath, and then I open my eyes—feeling better.

I examine my surroundings and try to figure out if there is anything hidden in here that can help me, but I don’t see much other than concrete, a water hose, and the bed.