Marriage of Convenience (The Raven Brothers 1)

“Now keep quiet, Sara.” He left the room.

I worked the cuff, trying to figure out how to free myself, but the headboard was metal and sturdy. Before long I was tired, and I realized he’d given me something to sleep. Even as I let myself fall, I cried. I cried because I was afraid he’d hurt my baby with the medicine. I cried because I imagined the panic Chase was going to feel when he realized I was gone.

When I woke, all those memories flooded back. The room was dark and quiet. Again, I tried to figure out a way to free myself, but stopped when I heard the door open.

“You awake Sara?”

“Please let me go, Glen.”

The light flared on, making me squint from the glare. He grabbed a chair and brought it to the bed.

“You’ve been a bad girl, Sara.”

“Glen.”

“I read what you did to your professor. You offered to fuck him so you could come to New York.”

“No.” God, that was in the newspaper?

“Did you offer to fuck all the Raven brothers until one agreed to marry you too?”

“Glen, it’s not like that. I love—”

His hand came down hard on my face, and I cried out.

“You don’t know love, Sara.”

I had to get out some way, somehow. “Glen I need to use the restroom.”

He growled, but uncuffed me and dragged me to a tiny dirty bathroom. He shoved me in and shut the door. “Hurry up.”

I looked around for something I could use to help me get free or use to protect myself, but there was nothing. I used the toilet and decided my best option was to try and make a run for it.

I opened the door, but before he could get my hand, I shoved him, and rushed past him toward the front door.

“God dammit!” he roared and launched after me. He caught my hair and yanked hard, causing me to fall back. He grabbed me, his arm coming around and his fist catching me in the jaw. Pain burst through my face as my head jerked around and I fell.

I lay on the floor, crying and trying to protect myself, I curled into a ball. He tugged me up and dragged me to the bed. He punched me again in the belly, and my heart cried out for my baby. He latched the cuff onto the headboard.

“You fucking ungrateful bitch.” He finally seethed. He left and then came back with another glass. “Drink.”

“No, Glen, Please.”

“Drink or I’ll kill you right now.”

I believed him so I drank the medicine. I was in pain, emotionally and physically. I’d endure it to protect my baby, but that didn’t mean I didn’t wish for oblivion.

I had a vague sense that days had passed. While the room was dark, the shade on the window would become lighter during the day. I wondered if Chase was looking for me and what he’d do when he found me. He’d take care of me because of the baby, but would he still want me around?

I’d given up trying to fight Glen and prayed that Chase would find me. But even though I did as Glen asked, he still made me drink the medicine. I was terrified of what it was doing to the baby.

On what I think was the third day, Glen entered the room, and I knew something bad was going to happen. It was clear that he wasn’t only mad, he was drunk. My best bet was to pretend I was saved from my sins.

“Glen a miracle happened.” I said as he stalked toward me.

“I’ll make a miracle happen.”

“You’re right. I was lost, tempted by the devil. But I see the light now.”

He uncuffed me and dragged me up. He’d fed me, but with all the medicine I felt weak and loopy.

“You’re a fucking liar.”

“No. No… you’ve saved me.”

I blocked the first blow, but I couldn’t get away from the others. They came and came, even as I fell to the floor and tried to get away. I ended up curled up on the floor, certain he was going to kill me. Finally, he staggered back.

“I’m sorry Sara.” He sank to the floor. “You shouldn’t make me so mad.”

All I could do was cry. When he reached for me, I flinched and tried to get away.

“Your punishment is done.” He lifted me and put me in the bed, redoing my handcuff.

I lay in the dark, losing hope. He didn’t give me medicine, but sleep overtook me anyway.

I was awakened the next morning by excruciating pain in my belly. Immediately, my hand went to my stomach.

“No, please no.” It was then that I felt the moisture between my legs. “No.” I’d never felt such pain in my heart. I was certain my cry of grief could be heard around the world.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” His eyes narrowed when he saw the blood. “It’s your time of the month. Good. That means in a few weeks I can plant my seed in you and you’ll be mine.”