Page 6 of Darkened Promises

How do I survive this? Statistically, do people make it out alive? What if I don’t…?

No.

I can’t think that.

What would the guys tell me to do? A pang of pain hits at the thought of them.

Survive.

I know they’d want that, so I need to play along and figure a way out.

I can do it.

They might just have to pick up the broken pieces of me that make it.

A low groan pulls me out of my head, and my focus turns back to the unhinged man in front of me. His head is tilted back, eyes closed, as he savours the taste of my blood. My cheeks ache from the cruel grip he has on me. He’s too far gone in his desperation to care how much he’s hurting me already.

His eyes suddenly pop open. My heart freezes, petrified at the sight of his wide and manic grin. My stomach roils, churning, and my skin crawls.

“You taste divine, kitten. I might have to cut you open so I can have another taste.”

Horror fists me, and bile burns my throat.

No, no, no.

Unfortunately, there’s nowhere for me to turn. I’m trapped. The urge to thrash and escape jostles my bones, and I clench my fists tight, holding it back.

I can’t.

Still. I need to stay still.

I can’t stop the tremors, though. They vibrate through my body. Every molecule in me is desperate to flee, even if my mind knows I can’t.

A hand clamps on my breast, squeezing harshly, and I suck in a pained gasp.

“Stop it, kitten. You’re being ungrateful, and it’s displeasing me. In fact, I think you need to show me how good you can be for me,” he hisses, then unbuckles the thick leather straps holding me down.

Heart accelerating, I still.

I need to get out. If I can get space between us, I might have a chance. I’m fairly sure we’re in his apartment above the office; I can get out of here if I’m free.

I have a chance.

The last buckle falls away. His fist lands in my hair, and he drags me from the bed. I land on the floor and pain shoots sharply through my limbs, but I ignore it, body coiling. The grip on my hair falls away, and I don’t hesitate. Pressing my weight onto my back foot for traction, I shoot up and lunge forward.

Excruciating pressure suffocates my throat, crushing it and tugging me backwards. My back spasms at the sudden whiplash, and my mouth opens, unable to emit a noise without any air.

Wild laughter echoes behind me as I stand, gasping and choking. I reach up to my neck, and panic strikes through me at the feel of thick leather. Without hesitating my fingers scramble frantically, trying to pull it off. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. It’s suffocating me, and I need this thing off.

It doesn’t budge, doesn’t give other than spinning around in circles. Something tinkles.

A…bell?

Is it getting tighter? It feels tighter.

He’s collared me.

My chest heaves, the air jagged as I fight to inhale.