Page 93 of Scream For Me
I take a deep breath as I look to Elias, who has worry painted all over his face.
“His name is Owen Reynolds.”
Forty-Two
Katherine (15 months ago)
Change (In the House of Flies) - Deftones
The musty smell of the clubhouse is no stranger to me at this stage. The broken spring of the small bed digs into the backs of my thighs, but I can’t move. He’ll know if I do.
My knees twitch in anticipation of what’s coming. The room smells like engine oil, cigarettes, and stale beer. The wooden panels on the walls grow darker every week from the cigarette smoke clinging to them—I know, I’ve sat in this very room day after day and watched it happen. The smell never fucking leaves. Even when the windows are open, it lingers, clinging to my skin, my hair, my lungs.
It’s dark outside, the faint glow of the moon casting an ominous shadow through the trees.
One day. I think to myself. One day, I’ll get out of here. That thought is the only thing keeping me tethered here. But when he keeps me drugged up, there’s no way I can do anything other than be his obedient littleprincess.
My spine shivers at the name. A bead of sweat forms on the back of my neck. He’s late giving me my dose today, probably because he wants me fully aware of whatever’s to come tonight. Sometimes he likes to watch my eyes when I’m alert like this. Helikes to see the moment I realize what’s about to happen. The moment the fear sets in.
As if on cue, the heavy door opens, and he enters. His short blonde hair slicked back with a thick coating of gel, as always. An acid-washed band tee hugs his body underneath his denim cut. His lazy eyes roam over my scantily clad body as he rubs his jaw and slowly walks towards me. My muscles seize up in preparation.
He lowers himself to sit next to me, the small bed dipping with his weight.
“Hello, princess,” he breathes against my hair before sliding his wet tongue up the column of my neck.
That fucking pet name makes nausea roll through my belly every time. I used to think the word was soft and kind. But now it just means pain. I keep my mouth clamped shut and my eyes trained on the floor.
Obedient little princess.
“Are you ready?” he asks, pushing his hands between my closed legs.
My body stiffens, my fingernails digging into my palms—but I stay silent, letting my legs fall open for him the way he likes it.
Don’t fucking move, Katherine.
“Oh, you need a little more work.”
He starts touching me, and shame washes over me. But my body betrays me like it always does, and wet sounds fill the room quickly. His breath is damp and hot against my neck. He’s enjoying this. Good. It makes it easier for me afterwards.
I stare at a dark knot in the wooden floorboards. I’ve memorized this one by now—it looks like a face if you stare long enough. Two eyes and a crooked mouth. Pareidolia, I think people call the phenomenon.
His hand leaves me, jerking me back into the dank room. He smears his fingers across my lips, and I have to fight the wince that claws its way forward.
“Taste yourself. You’re so fucking wet. You love thinking about getting fucked and used by my men, don’t you?” he asks, his eyes roaming my body, assessing whether I’m ready or not.
I let out a quiet breath, and pain immediately lances across my jaw, and I fall to the side with the force of the punch. Ringing in my ears starts instantly. It almost blocks out his voice.
Almost.
He’s over me before I can get back up.
“What have I told you, princess? Don’t make a fucking sound unless you’re spoken to!”
His voice rattles the room, but I don’t flinch. I just sit up, my eyes trained on the floor as I cup my jaw. It’s not the first time he’s hit me, and it won’t be the last. I run my tongue across my teeth, counting them in my head as I go. The counting keeps my hands from shaking, which would earn me another punch. Or worse.
One. Two. Three. Four. All still there.
“I’ll take you somewhere nice with the money you make me tonight, princess. I promise.” He gives me a wet kiss, the taste of stale beer and cigarettes thick on his tongue. It takes everything in me not to gag.
