Pain radiates through my cheek, my arms, and my throat as I lie curled on the bed, staring at the faded pattern on the wall. The sting from Tobias’s slap lingers, sharp and raw, the ghost of his grip still pressed into my skin. My head throbs, my lip aches where it split, and my body feels like it’s been put through a meat grinder.
I want to cry, but I don’t. I just lie there, holding my knees close to my chest, staring at the blank wall and trying to piece myself back together. They’ve taken everything from me–my freedom, my control, my dignity–and I won’t let them take this, too. They don’t get to see me break.
The faint hum of the camera in the corner feels like a second heartbeat, steady and inescapable. Someone’s always watching, and I hate it. I hate the intrusion, the violation.
When the door clicks open behind me, I freeze. My stomach clenches, my hands tightening into fists. He’s back. Tobias.
“I told you,” I rasp, my voice hoarse but steady. “You can shove your interrogation where I think, because I’m not talking.”
A soft chuckle answers, low and amused. It’s not Tobias.
I roll over slowly, my heart racing, and my breath catches when I see who’s standing there. Silas is leaning casually against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest, a lazy grin on his face. Behind him, Jaxon stands silent and still, his sharp gray eyes locked on me like he’s trying to peel back my skin with his gaze.
Silas’s grin widens when he sees the confusion on my face. “Well, that’s one way to greet someone. Charming.”
push myself upright, wincing as my bruised arms protest the movement. “What now?” I snap, crossing my arms over my chest despite the ache. “You’re here to slap me around too?”
Jaxon’s eyes narrow slightly, his expression hardening. There’s no amusement in his face, only a sharp, cold tension that makes the air between us heavier. He doesn’t say a word, but his presence is suffocating.”
“Relax,” Silas drawls, his grin never faltering. “We’re not here to hit you. Not today, anyway.” He steps further into the room, his movements casual but deliberate, as if he owns every inch of the space.
“Great. I feel so reassured,” I say bitterly, my glare shifting between the two of them.
Silas just smirks and tosses something onto the bed. I flinch instinctively, but when I look down, I see it’s a dress. Dark red, silky, and completely impractical. I blink at it, stunned, before snapping my gaze back to him.
“What’s this?” I ask sharply.
“Your outfit for dinner,” Silas says simply, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. He moves to the chair in the corner of the room, lounging in it like it’s a throne, his legs sprawled out in front of him.
Dinner. Dinner? The word bounces around in my head, absurd and impossible. After everything that’s happened, the chaos, the interrogation, the violence–they want me to eat with them?
“You’re joking,” I say flatly, staring at him.
“Nope.” He leans back, the chair creaking slightly. “You’re joining us tonight. Tobias’s orders.”
I laugh bitterly, shaking my head. “There’s no way I’m sitting at a table with you psychos. I’d rather starve.”
“Fine” Jaxon snaps suddenly, his voice cutting through the room like ice. “Then starve.” His gaze sharpens, pinning me in place for a moment before he turns and stalks toward the door. His movements are sharp, controlled, but there’s an edge to him, something simmering just beneath the surface. “I don’t care.”
The door slams shut behind him, and I flinch at the sound, anger flaring in my chest. “He’s charming,” I mutter, glaring at the space where Jaxon had been.
“Don’t mind him,” Silas says lightly, as if Jaxon’s icy demeanor is something he’s used to. “He’s not big on… conversation.”
“Yeah, I noticed,” I snap. “Maybe that’s for the best. He seems like the type to stab someone mid–sentence.”
Silas chuckles, the sound low and unbothered. “He does have a temper, doesn’t he? But don’t worry about Jaxon. If he wanted you dead, you’d already be six feet under.”
“Comforting,” I say dryly, crossing my arms tighter over my chest. “What does Tobias even want from me now? What, dinner? Really?”
Silas tilts his head, studying me. “You’ve had a rough day. Consider this an olive branch.” He gestures toward the dress. “And maybe a chance to prove you can follow simple instructions, I mean, unless you really do want to starve.”
My stomach churns uncomfortably, a mix of hunger and frustration twisting inside me. I hate how smug he looks, how sure he is that I’ll cave. But the truth is, I haven’t eaten in over a day, and the dull ache in my stomach is getting harder to ignore.
“What makes you think I’ll even wear that?” I say, gesturing to the dress with a scowl.
Silas shrugs, his grin softening just slightly, like he’s humoring me. “Because Tobias doesn’t like repeating himself. And trust me, you don’t want to see him pissed off twice in one day.”
I hesitate, glaring at the dress like it’s personally offended me. Every part of me wants to refuse, to throw it back in his face and tell them all to rot. But I know Silas is right. Tobias isn’t the kind of man you defy twice. Not if you want to survive.
1/2
Chapter 14 Paige
“Fine,” I bite out, my voice low and bitten. “But this doesn’t mean I’m playing along.”
Sillas grips, standing and brushing off his suit. “Good girl.” He pauses, his grin widening at the way my glare sharpens. Ten minutes. Don’t be late.”
The door shuts behind him with a soft click, leaving me alone again. I stare at the dress on the bed, anger and humiliation bubbling in my chest. This isn’t me. This isn’t my life.
And yet, as I sit there, the weight of the day pressing down on me, I know I don’t have a choice. Not tonight.
