The Brink (Unbroken Raine Falling 3)

“What about River?”

“That stupid hell-raiser got in so much trouble it was either go to jail or go to the army. I was happy to see his ass out the other side of my door. He’d gotten too mouthy to tolerate and too big for me to beat.”

“What about Mom? Did she leave you?” she asked in a low whisper.

Bill’s lips curled in a proud smile. “She tried. I stopped her.”

Raine failed to swallow back her gasp of horror. He’d killed her mother, too. Oh, god. Oh, god. Oh, god.

Raine’s whole body went numb. All this time, she’d thought that her mom had simply left, walked away. The knowledge otherwise sucked the breath from Raine’s lungs. All the warmth leached from her body. She bit her lip to hold in a whimper.

She’d never see her mom or tell her that she understood her determination to escape. Raine could never again express her love to the woman who had given her life. She hadn’t seen her mom in almost fifteen years, but she’d always believed that someday…

Raine bit her lip to hold in a scream, and Bill kept on talking.

“Your mother was a whore. I’m convinced she’d been screwing my brother for years. She always smiled at him. She flaunted her body, too. Hell, it wouldn’t surprise me if he’d knocked her up with all three of you kids.” Bill sneered Raine’s way. “By the time you came along, I almost had her under my thumb. Then she suddenly thought she’d grow a spine and take you kids with her. I showed her who was boss. I wasn’t surprised when you and Rowan turned out to be whores, too. It was in your blood, after all.”

With every word, Bill sounded angrier. His expression told Raine that she was to blame for every imagined slight her mother and sister had dealt him. She was sure he’d already tallied the sins she’d committed against him. One look in his glowing eyes and Raine knew that if she didn’t do something fast, she wouldn’t be long for this world. He’d end her, and he’d love every second.

Mentally, she began ticking off all the options. Bill didn’t want money; he wanted her. He couldn’t wait to punish her for being female and not desiring him. For leaving him. For ultimately hating him, just like Mom and Rowan. He’d either rape her multiple times, then carve her up, or he’d lose his temper and do it up big once before slashing her throat. Raine swore that neither scenario would come to pass—not without a hell of a fight. If she wanted to live, she had to take control.

She trembled. She had only one thing in her favor: Bill was more than a little drunk. He could hardly stand up straight, and he just kept drinking from that bottle. On the other hand, he was fucking insane. Somehow, she had to figure out what his unhinged mind wanted to hear and make herself say it. Then she had to do whatever it took.

She couldn’t think about specifics now or she’d lose her nerve.

“Now, it’s time to show Daddy what a good little fuck you are.” He brandished the knife again and cut through her sleeves, reminding her with every swipe of the blade just who had the power. Then he yanked the garments from her torso and sat back, staring. A lewd little half smile twisted his face. “Well, look at all those bite marks and bruises. Hmm…” Bill adjusted his cock in his jeans. “I see those boys of yours have trained you to like it rough. Good. I can dig right in and enjoy myself. But this time, you’ll have a real man.”

Raine felt the bile rise in her throat. Forcing it down, she tried not to flinch as Bill leaned in and traced a thick finger over the marks dotting her breasts. The stench of gin stole her breath.

“Give Daddy a kiss, baby,” he murmured as he forced his lips onto hers.

She pinched her mouth tight, willing herself not to vomit, but Bill gripped her jaw and squeezed until she opened. His fetid breath filled her mouth as his tongue swept inside like a slippery eel. She whimpered in disgust and tried to turn away.

He jerked back, attempting to focus his bleary gaze onto her. “Let’s get those pants off you so you can show Daddy what he’s been missing all these years.”

Another airplane flew over the building as he shoved the knife beneath the waistband of her yoga pants. Raine groaned in terror. Her body stilled like stone.

Bill gave her a wink and started singing again. “C’mon, angel. My dick’s on fire. Don’t deny your daddy’s desire. You’re going to enjoy it, so don’t play dumb. Spread your legs and let me fill you with come. Tonight’s the night…” Bill snorted and chuckled, obviously pleased by his perceived talent. “I surprised your sister with those lyrics, too.”