Marry Screw Kill(43)

James searched my face for a reaction, so I played along, even though I had a clue his idea of a gift would end up with me on my back and him pushing inside me.

“What is it?” I gave him a half-smile and he returned it with a shit-eating grin.

“It’s a reward type of gift.” I knitted my brows, even more confused than I was before I sat on the bed. “It’s attached to something and it’s yours after you take care of it. With your mouth.”

I lifted my shoulders and he glanced from my eyes to his penis. I followed his trail and saw a bracelet of some kind at the very base of his full erection. It was looped around him and I closed my eyes for a brief second in hopes of willing it away. But when I glimpsed down again, the diamond bracelet shined in the room’s light.

“It’s a tennis bracelet, babe. You suck me, and it’s your reward.” James spoke in a husky voice and laid flat on the bed. He reached for my arm and tried to guide my body. After a few instructions from him, I tasted him on my tongue for the first time. James tried to encourage me by saying my first blowjob came with a prize.

Now, looking down and toying with my heavy diamond covered jackpot, I say it came with a price—a very high one—and I intend to pawn it this Monday and use the funds to start a new life. It’s the one item he’s given me that I feel I’ve earned.

“Harlow.” I jump as James calls out to me in the dark kitchen. The sound brings me to my present reality. His feet pad across the kitchen floor toward me and I try not to stiffen as he draws near. Just two more days and I can leave this place—and him. I just have to play nice while he’s watching. I spin away from the sink and face him. He stands tall in front of me; a towering form I once thought would be a fortress and help me find my way in this world after the heartbreak of my mother’s death. Instead, I realize he’s used his power in my weakness to keep me away from the world.

“James,” I answer quickly, “I was getting ready to head upstairs.”

He brushes a stray hair from my face. “So lovely in the shadows. Your hair glows around you like a halo. My lovely angel.”

He reaches for me, but I move to the side away from him. He answers my movements with a huff.

“I have a headache tonight. I’m sorry.” I rub my forehead to make the fake excuse seem real. I also shield my eyes in the darkness. I have never been good at lying. James will be able to see right through my excuses.

“You shouldn’t have gone to your mother’s grave. I warned you about it. You’re simply not strong enough to handle it on your own. Did you take something for your headache?”

I nod and begin to walk away from him. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have gone.” More lies tumble from my lips as I agree with his misdiagnosis. My days as his patient are marked, because I am checking out of here. With my back to him, I let myself smile in victory. I imagine Sin giving me an encouraging grin that I am making my own choices, or at least trying to.

“I better get some rest.” I make it to the stairs before he says anything back to me. Emboldened, I’m tempted to race up them. He will not touch me tonight—hell, he’ll never “f*ck” me, as he says, again. In the back of my mind, a small voice tells me I have the strength to leave James. The voice sounds a lot like Sin’s.





Chapter Nineteen


Sin



I’m standing behind the closed door in the guest bedroom with my ear pressed hard against the wood. I strain to hear anything in the house—footsteps, voices, or possibly a door shutting—but I don’t pick up a single sound other than my own heartbeat pounding loud and fast in my head.

Two sides war in my mind. Part of me wants to check on Harlow in case she needs me. I can still picture her soft eyes looking at me through tears. An ache forms in my chest and my shoulders collapse. I have this overwhelming desire to bust into their bedroom, throw Harlow over my shoulder, and take her far away from James’ reach. But a small part warns me to stay put in this room, not get involved, and stuff away my worries. It’s the selfish, cowardly part of me that sees my own future and nothing else.

My better half wins out. I turn the doorknob and step out into near darkness. All the lights in the house are off except a lone table lamp to give me some guidance in the hallway.

An eerie stillness fills the air around me and I wipe my hands over my clothes. I decide to walk downstairs to grab a glass of water even though I’m not thirsty. It gives me an excuse for wandering around after James escorted me to the room.

Before James headed to his bedroom, he told me we had brunch tomorrow morning at the club. Then, after brunch, we would head over to his condo downtown. He said it would be closer to the “action.” His devilish wink that followed spoke volumes.

I think he wants me away from his prisoner. He likely noticed the connection I feel with her. There’s no way he missed it. There seems to be an innate perception between us that goes beyond words or reason; the kind of familiarity that occurs without even a thought. I can read her face and eyes like I’ve known her all my life.

How could I tell him my true desire would be to stay here in his house close to her? I am his guest and he’s pushing me out the door. I can’t really shove back. At least, not now—not when Harlow hasn’t asked me for help.

Continuing my trek toward the stairs, I pass by their master suite. My steps slow and I crank my head toward their bedroom door.