Drop Dead Queen (Corium University Trilogy 2)

I’m already thinking of my next move, ready to lash out when he rolls me back over and a pair of handcuffs appear. He attaches one to my hand and the other to the pipe above my head.

“Please, Matteo, please, think about this,” I plead, hoping to reason with him, even if there is no hope.

“That’s the thing, Aspen. I have. I’ve thought about it often. Every. Single. Night.”

Rico hands him another set of handcuffs, and I wonder where the third person disappeared to. He handcuffs my other hand to the bar and leans back, taking a look at me like I’m some prized trophy. Blood trickles from his nose, and I smile with satisfaction, knowing that I made him bleed, that I hurt him, even if only a little bit.

He grabs me by the cheeks, squeezing hard enough to crush bone. “Keep smiling. I can’t wait to wipe that look off your face, to remove the light in your eyes.”

The knife comes back into view, and I shiver as he drags it down the front of my loose-fitted T-shirt. The cotton parts in an instant, the blade moving through the fabric like a hot knife through butter.

He glides the tip over my skin, and I realize how badly this is going to get. I tip my head back and stare up at the metal pipe, trying to disappear inside my head.

The tip of the blade slides into the waistband of my sweatpants, and I’m certain he’s going to cut me open with it when he moves the blade in a sawing motion and slices through the fabric. It falls away, landing on the floor, leaving me bare.

“So much creamy, smooth skin. I can’t wait to mark you.” He drags the blade down my thigh, the tip sinking into my skin. I don’t realize he’s cut me till I feel something warm on my skin. Blood. “Oops, guess I got a little excited.”

By the time he reaches my ankles, I’m shivering and praying to God that I pass out, so I don’t have to endure this. No one is coming to save me. No one can protect me. Matteo is going to break me, and I’ll never be able to put myself back together again.

“I don’t know what I should fuck you with first, the blade or my cock?” Bile rises in my throat, and I have to force myself not to vomit. He drops to his haunches. “Maybe I’ll do both. Fuck your mouth while I fuck your cunt with the blade.”

All I can do is shake my head. The tears continue to come, slipping down my cheeks.

The ringing of a cell phone fills the space, and I blink my eyes open to see Matteo reach into his pocket and pull his phone out. I almost sigh with relief when he pulls away from me.

“Sorry, I’ve got to take this, but I’ll be back in a few to make good on our deal.” He slaps my thigh, and I tense. “Get comfortable and think about which you would prefer inside you. Maybe I will be nice if you beg for my cock.”

I say nothing, even if I want to lash out at him. He walks away, his receding footsteps leave me a little calmer, but my head still spins, the headbutt from earlier now affecting me more since the adrenaline has worn off. Shivers wrack my body, and I lie here freezing for what seems hours. Eventually, even though I shouldn’t, I let my heavy eyes flutter closed, and I doze off.

I’m not sure how much time passes, but I wake up when I feel the air shift around me. Someone is approaching from behind. I try to twist my neck to look behind me, but before I can move, someone grabs me from behind and holds me still.

A shriek escapes my lips when a sharp pain erupts in my neck. The room is blanketed in complete darkness, but I can feel warm breath on my ear, followed by the words, “I hope you know I just did you a huge favor.”

My lips part and I’m seconds from asking them to help me when my eyes flutter closed, and I’m welcomed into the darkness of my dreams.

The only place I have left to hide.

40

QUINTON

The next day, I do my best to avoid my parents. My mom came to my room early this morning, telling me not to worry too much about what my father said, but I could see her own disappointment in her eyes. She wants to trust me, but not if it means putting my sister in danger.

“I’ve got to be home for dinner, or Luna is gonna be mad. She is already salty that I’m spending so much time with you while we’re here.”

“I don’t blame her. I see your ugly face all the time.”