Make You Beg

Dax leans down and picks it up before throwing it over his shoulder.

Motherfucker!

“Get the fuck out!” I scream even though this is what I wanted. I used Datson. I made a show downstairs right in front of Scout’s current fuck, knowing she’d run to him and rat me out. Such a good little bitch, she is.

Law reaches behind him and locks the bedroom door. My heart starts to pound.

Scout comes to a stop before me. “Are you horny, Henley? All you have to do is ask us.” A cruel smile spreads across his face. It’s the first time I’ve heard his voice since he threatened me in my bedroom the night after I called the police on Dax. The sound of my name makes my thighs tighten even though the hairs stand on the back of my neck. “Get on your knees and beg us, baby.”

My stomach knots at his words. Us? It’s no longer about him and me anymore. They’ve done exactly what I expected them to do. They all want their own revenge. Attack one and they all retaliate. I hate that they’re so predictable. I slap him across the face. “Fuck you!” I shout and try to shove him away from me, but he doesn’t move.

“I like this new side of you, Henley. It’ll make this even more fun.” He smiles. “But it won’t get you very far.”

He’s right. I’m not strong enough to knock his ass out. And it’d be three against one, so I wouldn’t have a chance. I try another tactic. One that would only work with him. Or at least that’s what I tell myself. Really the alcohol and closeness of him are making my chest hurt with betrayal. “I loved you.” The words fall from my lips before I can second-guess this awful idea. It exposes me more than anything I could physically do with another man.

His body stiffens against mine, and his face goes hard as stone. Tears prick my eyes because the words were true. I loved them all. But Scout? He was the one for me. He was the one I would do anything for. As pathetic as it sounds, I would have set myself on fire for him. All he had to do was hand me the lighter.

“Yeah, I loved you too,” he admits after a long second. His eyes skim over my body, and he pulls his lip back in disgust. “But you chose to betray us.” He turns to walk away, and I refuse to let him have the last word. I didn’t show up here for nothing tonight.

I grab his arm and yank him back to me while my free arm is across my chest, covering my exposed boobs. “I did the right thing. You betrayed me!”

He places his hands on the wall, caging me in. He pushes his body into mine, pinning my back to the wall. “Was it the right thing?” he demands. “It cost you everything, Henley.”

I swallow.

“Your friends. Your reputation.”

“You know I don’t care about that.” I’ve never cared much what people think of me.

“And me,” he whispers as if it hurt for him to say it.

My chest tightens. “Scout …”

“I was the biggest price you paid, Henley. Do you regret it?” He runs his knuckles down my right cheek.

My thighs tighten, and my breathing picks up. “I never wanted to lose you,” I admit shamelessly. Out of all of them, I thought he would back me up, would believe me, but I was wrong.

His hand lowers to my throat, and I pant as he wraps his fingers around me and squeezes in a warning. Then he runs his thumb over my jaw and slowly across my lips.

He leans in, and I close my eyes, unable to look at him anymore. A tear runs down my cheek before his soft lips gently kiss mine. It’s a lover’s kiss—tender and a promise of forever—but we both know the truth.

I open for him, and he doesn’t hesitate. His tongue sweeps into my mouth, tasting me, and I kiss him back. But then he pulls away, leaving me panting. “You were mine before, Henley, and you’re mine now. But instead of loving you, I’m going to destroy you.”

And with those words, they exit the room without a backward glance.

I quickly get my bra and shirt back on and make my way down the stairs and outside, avoiding the kids watching and laughing at me. Of course, Jamie is gone with Datson. I didn’t expect her to wait around for me. I pull out my cell and order an Uber. I didn’t think this through very well. I don’t have a car, and my ride left me behind.

I go to put my cell away, but it beeps, signaling a message.

Jamie: I can’t believe you, Henley. That was bullshit!