Page 80 of Spock’s Snare

“Chew,” he murmurs. “Come on. Be a good girl for me.”

I have no choice. I chew the dry mouthful and swallow. Only then does he release me.

“That’s better.” His loving smile returns. “See? I know what you need.”

“You kidnapped me.”

“I rescued you.”

“From what?”

“From them. From that biker. From your father filling your head with nonsense. From all the people who take advantage of you.” He tears off another piece. “I’m the only one who sees how much you need someone to take care of you.”

He forces the second bite into my mouth. Again, he holds my jaw shut until I swallow. Then he lifts the soda and guides the straw toward my lips.

The sight of the cold liquid makes my throat ache with need, but I turn away. I don’t know if he put something in it; even if he didn’t, accepting it feels too much like cooperating with his fantasy.

“Drink.”

“No.”

“Chloe, don’t be difficult.”

“Go to hell.”

He removes the straw before grabbing my chin and pouring the liquid into my mouth. Soda floods my mouth. I cough, spraying droplets across his hand, but he merely wipes them on the sheet.

“You’re making a mess,” he says with mild disappointment.

When he reaches for me again, I wait.

I let him think I’m finished fighting.

His fingers slide beneath my chin. He brings another piece of sandwich to my lips, and I open my mouth just enough to lure him closer.

Then I bite down on his index finger with everything I have.

Steven screams and jerks back. Blood wells around the crescent marks left by my teeth.

His expression changes instantly.

The tender smile disappears. His eyes flatten, and his face twists with fury.

“You bitch!”

His fist slams into my stomach.

Pain explodes through my abdomen, stealing my breath. I curl instinctively, but the ropes prevent me from protecting myself. Before I can drag air back into my lungs, his palm cracks across my cheek.

My head snaps sideways.

He slaps me again. And again.

White sparks flash across my vision. My ears ring, and the coppery taste of blood fills my mouth where my teeth cut the inside of my cheek.

“Look what you made me do!” he shouts. “I’m trying to take care of you, and you keep fighting me!”

Another blow lands across my face.