Filthy Gods (American Gods 0.5)(27)

“I seem to have misplaced my cell phone. The last time I saw it was in the study.” He gestured to the room Nathaniel and I had just been in. My pulse sped. He wore a soft smile. “Would you mind helping me search for it?”

I nodded. “Of course not,” I said, gesturing for him to lead the way.

We walked back into the study and I looked around the desk and leather couches.

When I bent down to look by the couch, I felt Senator Scott right behind me. His front pressed to the curve of my ass, and I froze. My brain seemed to empty out completely like it couldn’t process what was happening. It wasn’t until I felt a large hand palm one of my breasts through my work clothes that I jerked into panic mode, finally unfreezing.

I turned around fast, confused and uncomfortable. When I backed up, trying to put as much distance between the two of us as possible, the back of my thighs hit the couch.

“Senator,” I said, cautioning him, trying to reason with him, with myself, with this whole situation—

He grinned and it was full of lust and arrogance and I felt my body starting to shake. He breathed out. He was so close to me—too close—and I smelled the whiskey on his tongue. “I’ve been watching you all summer, Juliette. And I rather like what I’ve been seeing.”

I swallowed thickly, not liking his tone or the way his eyes scanned me like a starving dog eyed a piece of fresh meat before pouncing on it.

When he reached out once more and his hand touched my hip, I swatted it away.

“Don’t you dare look so offended at my touch, darling. I just saw you service that rich kid in here,” he growled, unpleased at my defiance.

Confused, shocked, I simply stared at him. How did he… how did he know? I must’ve asked that aloud because he replied in an even, scary voice. “I was passing by and heard strange sounds coming from here. The door wasn’t locked so I opened it and saw you blowing that kid’s cock like your life depended on it. It certainly made me want to test the naughty maid out for myself,” he said, shrugging.

My heart stopped mid-beat, my next breath vanished from my lungs, and I felt all the blood drain from my face. It only lasted a second—a moment of complete, undisguised horror—before it all came back at once. Panic assaulted me. Heart beating erratically, lungs filling up and emptying out too fast. I tried shoving against him, but he saw it coming and pushed me down onto the couch.

My eyes darted to the door. Only a few feet away, only a few—My lips parted on a scream but before it could get out, his large hand wrapped around my throat, cutting off my scream for help back into my throat.

“Show me what’s underneath,” he said, voice thick and raspy. His fingers violently tore at my dress shirt, buttons flying off as he exposed my breasts. I clawed at his arms, but he didn’t stop, only shoved me harder, gripping my throat until I wheezed in pain and panic.

His mouth attacked mine, brutally, his teeth biting into my bottom lip in a vicious grip. Metallic tang filled my mouth, my own blood.

I thrashed against him, beating my hands on his chest, but he only squeezed my throat tighter, suffocating me, a desperate noise escaping only as a sigh from my mouth.

“Shh, darling. Don’t fuss, it’s too much trouble for what it’s worth. I can give you more than some rich kid.” His other hand was pushing down on my shoulder, I felt suffocated, trapped. I didn’t know what to do. “It can be our little secret.” He went to unzip his pants and my body reacted on its own. My foot shot up and hit between his parted legs. A painful groan left his mouth and he bent over, gasping. I didn’t wait a second longer and ran out the door, as far away from him as I could.

I didn’t stop, I didn’t look back even when I heard his footsteps thundering after me.

“You fucking—”

I turned a corner and slammed into someone, their hands gripping my arms before I could fall.

Gabe Easton stood in front of me, his brows furrowed in confusion. He scanned me, my torn lopsided clothes, my harsh, quick breaths, and the panic I knew was still very much obvious in my eyes.

Shame washed over me, and I hated myself for feeling it.

I had nothing to be ashamed of, the senator had been the one pouncing on me. Trapping me, touching me—

Something caught Gabe’s vision behind me and I looked back to see the senator, wiping at his bottom lip with a look of fury.

When Senator Scott saw I was no longer alone, he gulped visibly and walked away fast. Gabe Easton’s attention returned fully to me, and the weight of it made me feel uncomfortable. He was looking at me like he could see everything, everything that had happened in the study with the senator, and my throat seemed to close in on itself.

He didn’t need to speak; his hands curling into fists and eyes full of fury that wasn’t directed at me said enough. It was a look well known in the media. They nicknamed it the Easton glare.

“Juliette,” a voice called to me and Gabe stepped away, revealing Nathaniel walking toward us.

His features warped into concern at my appearance and he quickened his steps. His eyes traveling from me to Gabe quickly. “What happened?”

I tried to close my shirt, but without the buttons, it left gaping holes showing my skin and white bra.

My bottom lip wobbled, eyes filling up with tears. I blinked back rapidly, trying to chase them away. I didn’t want to cry. Not now, not here, not ever if I could help it. I hadn’t known a voice alone could offer such comfort but hearing it now, it made me feel safe. The adrenaline was starting to leave my body and I shook violently. I glanced at Gabe, imploring him with my eyes not to say anything. Senator Scott had more power than me, more power than probably all of us. He would ruin me. It was his word against mine and I would never win.