Hollow Hearts (The Harkwright Trilogy)

“So then my little whore, do you know what you’ll be doing tonight?” I refuse to answer him if I don’t have to. “Answer me,” he screams and I swallow hard at the utter rage and hatred that enters his eyes - well eye.

“N-no.”

“N-no, I hate how pathetic you are,” he scrubs his hand across his face, before wincing in pain. “You’ll be sucking and riding my dick until I tell you to stop and then I’ll do whatever I want to your skinny ass and then if you’re a really good girl I may let you get a couple hours of sleep before we start all over again. Then I’ll get one of the other girls to join us and watch as you put on a little show for me,” he slides his hand into his waistband and cups himself, before falling into another coughing fit.

“You know that isn’t going to happen, Emmet won’t allow it,” Bradley says, he places his hand over Daria’s as she goes to stand up, shaking his head at her in warning.

I’m so thankful that he’s stopping her from doing anything stupid, because even he can’t save her if she makes a move against Shane.

“Actually it will happen, Emmet left this morning. I watched as he climbed into a car without looking back once and when Senior makes his big speech, I’ll be right there beside him,” he stands up and moves until he’s standing over me. He lowers his head until he’s whispering in my ear, “I’m claiming you today and I won’t release you until your nothing but the empty vessel I see every damn day,” he sinks his teeth into my neck and it takes everything I have not to hiss or better yet, punch him in his already bruised face.

He pulls back and attempts to swagger off, although his limp doesn’t give him the look he’s hoping for and all I can think is that I’d rather be gutted by one of the girls than ever be claimed by him.

Daria hasn’t stopped trying to find out what Shane whispered to me, but I won’t repeat it. Not to her or Bradley, I’m just glad he hasn’t ordered me to. Because I would hate to lose my spot over refusing that order.

We’re walking through the maze when the sound of grunting reaches us and I can’t be bothered with turning back, I’m completing the maze. I don’t care who I have to walk past.

“Come on Lu, I don’t want to watch people getting it on.”

“Then don’t look,” I say continuing to push forward and although she’s huffing, she’s still walking with me.

We get to the middle and I watch with rapt fascination as Tom pounds into One from behind, wrapping her braid around his fist. It elongates her neck as he pulls her head back and her mouth is open as moan after moan escapes her. He looks almost bored, which argues against the grunts escaping him, but she looks as though she’s enjoying it and her moans seem to confirm it as well.

Daria yanks on my arm, pulling me from my reverie as she keeps a hand over her eyes. My own connect with Tom’s before I give into D’s pulling and continue on through the maze, until we walk through the exit.

“I can’t believe you stood there watching, would you have asked to join in if I hadn’t been there?” There’s no judgement in her tone, just curiosity.

/> “No, of course not. I just thought I’d see what it looks like when you enjoy it. Seeing as I doubt I’ll get much enjoyment out of my first time if it will be with Shane,” I say it as though it doesn’t bother me, even though I feel as though I’m slowly falling apart on the inside.

I know I shouldn’t have mentioned Shane’s name, but I couldn’t stop myself. Yes inner me is having a full melt down over my name drop, but she can get in line. I’m running the show right now.

“Why do you think it will be Shane? Just because Emmet’s rule of leaving you alone ran out today, doesn’t mean he will get you first… that is such a shitty thing to say. Sorry Lu, I hate that you have to give up your virginity to any of the idiots here,” she’s blushing like crazy and I’d smile if I had the energy to make my mouth do anything other than a straight line of consternation.

“Honestly, I’ve been more than accepting of the fact that my virginity will go to one of them and more than likely it would do more for them than me. I just don’t want it to be with him, just the thought of him touching me makes me want to hurl. I’m scared D and there’s nothing I can do. I hate that I could very well bring him a world of pain, yet I’m not allowed to defend myself. I-I-I…” she pulls me into her arms and runs her hand up and down my back.

“Hey it’s okay, I don’t care what I have to do I will not let that asswipe be your first or any of your numbers. Just remember, that although you can’t strike him yourself, I can think of at least three people who will gladly do it for you.”

“What if I want to do it?” I say, looking at her and she grimaces.

“Can’t help you with that one hon, you do that and you’re as good as gone, that’s your best case scenario,” I know she’s right, but at least I can fantasize about all the ways I would make him pay. If only I could get away with it.

The assembly still hasn’t been called so we may as well do a few laps in the pool, at least my ankle is feeling a lot better now. I swear by the time I leave here I’m going to have a scar for every misadventure. My arm, my cheek, what else is the Academy going to add to my collection?

We swim a few laps before a splash indicates we’re no longer alone, looking around I can see someone moving under the water at the other end of the pool. It isn’t long until he surfaces and I can’t place him. I know he’s one of the guys and I’m kicking myself for not refreshing myself on the dossier like I had planned on doing.

Daria looks at me before shaking her head and chuckling, guess I’m not hiding my freak out as well as I thought. Especially with him swimming closer and damn is he fast in the water, he may as well be a fish!

“Hey Jake, how’s it going?” Daria asks, giving me the side eye and I think I may love this girl.

“Not too bad D, not too bad,” his eyes travel over me, lingering on my arm and cheek and I can feel my skin flush.

“So you’re the one getting everyone’s head in a spin, if you ever get sick of it all come find me. I can show you a good time,” he gives me a wink and a lesser lady would swoon, but I’m over the effect of the Harkwright looks and charm. Not that a lot of them have been using the charm on me, I don’t think they all possess it either.

“Knock it off Jake, don’t make me get Bradley to kick your ass. Just like he did when we were kids.”

“He can try, I’m not the scrawny kid I used to be,” he laughs and it’s a beautiful sound.

With his long, dirty blonde hair, amber-colored eyes and swimmer’s physique he’s definitely easy on the eyes. Although, while the attention is off me, I think I will bow out and make a run for my room.