Hurting You (Blackthorn Elite 3)

“We figured you wouldn’t tell anyone, because you’re a good girl. Aren’t you, Stella?” I ask her, loving the way her name rolls off my tongue. I can see her squirm from where I’m standing. Cam and I agreed on taunting her a little, making sure she stays in line. Fear is a powerful motivator, and as long as she’s afraid, she’ll do whatever we tell her to do.

“Yes, I won’t say anything. I swear!” she squeaks and drops the bag in her hand in the process. She doesn’t make a move to grab it, and I enjoy the sight of her frozen, struck with fear.

Would she look at me like that if I touched her right now, or would she melt beneath my fingers? Every time I thought about her today, it stirred something up inside me, and it’s not just fear of her going to the cops. There is something about her, something that draws me in, something I want. My interest in her is strange, foreign but intriguing, and quickly turning into an obsession. Something I can’t stop thinking about, something I need to have and can’t let go.

What the fuck are you thinking, idiot?

“We still wanted to swing by and remind you,” Cam tells her, pulling me from my stupid induced thinking.

“You don’t have to remind me, I won’t forget,” she says, her voice hesitant like she’s not sure if she was supposed to speak at all.

“I mean, there are other ways we can keep you quiet… you can’t talk with a dick in your mouth.” Her gaze widens, almost as if she didn’t expect me to go there. “We could fuck you if that’s what it takes, fuck you into silence. You are pretty, and I’m always looking for something new to sink my dick in to.”

“N-nnooo…” She shakes her head, her golden hair flying everywhere. “I won’t tell a soul, you don’t have to… to do that.” I almost bust out in laughter at the red in her cheeks. Is she embarrassed talking about sex? Wait, maybe she’s a virgin…that would be the icing on this cake.

“You sure?” Cam licks his lips and gives her a smoldering look. He is, after all, the smooth talker. Asshole has chicks coming on his dick every night. Of course, I can’t complain myself.

Stella nods, “I won’t say anything, just please, don’t hurt me.”

“It would only hurt a little. Mostly it would feel good… really good,” I promise her. “But we understand. We’ll let you get back to work then, just don’t forget to keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, we’ll find something to fill it with.”

I dismiss her like she’s nothing to me. Cameron and I both take a step away from the door, giving her a walkway to go back inside.

She nods, her eyes darting between the two of us like she is trying to see who is going to attack first. When we don’t move, she starts walking toward us. I can see her knees shaking from here, but she doesn’t stop once. When she passes us, she’s so close that I can smell her shampoo and perfume or whatever that heavenly scent is. It makes my mouth water, and I’m tempted to reach out for her and tug her into my chest.

Her steps are small and slow, up until she is past us, then she scurries to the door like she’s suddenly in a hurry. She pulls the heavy metal door open, but before she can step foot inside, someone screams from the kitchen.

“Stella!” At the sound of her name, she jumps, her shoulders tense, and a small shriek escapes her lips. “Where the hell are you?” The male voice continues. Hearing the condescending tone he is using, makes me want to go inside and cut off his fingers and shove them down his throat. I know I have no reason to be protective of this girl, after all, she holds our lives in her hands, but I am.

“I’m coming!” she yells back.

“And you better put the damn trash bag inside the dumpster this time.” The same voice booms through the door and into the alley. I don’t know what it is about him yelling at her, but it really rubs me the wrong way. If he keeps it up, he’s going to be brushing his teeth through his asshole. Stella twists her head around, looking over her shoulder at us. Her gaze then moves and falls to the floor where the trash bag is sitting. She doesn’t make a move to get it, which means she is more afraid of us than the guy she is working for. Good. I’m satisfied with that.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I stare at her, a tiny grin on my lips.

Come here, baby…

Cam being the knight he is, leisurely strolls over there, picks up the bag and tosses it into the dumpster. When he turns back around, the bastard winks at her, and I can’t help but grin wider. This is going to be so much fucking fun.