Page 76 of Cruel Promise
It’s lame, but I’m not sure what else to do here. My heart races in my chest as I look from Austin to the door. “I, uh, actually need to leave. I’m sure Joelle and Kim are worried sick that I never came back to the dorms last night.”
He either doesn’t hear me or, more accurately, doesn’t care. And what he does next drops a ball of dread, like a heavy stone, into the pit of my stomach. Austin smiles. It’s charming and attractive. Or it would be on anyone else but him. Not after learning what he’s capable of.
He steps further into the room and closes the door behind him, locking me inside.
I swallow hard and try not to panic.
Shaking fingers hold the torn front of my dress together as Austin stands there with that stupid smile on his face. He eyes me up and down, like he’s remembering what’s hidden beneath my dress.
Bile rises from my stomach, coating the back of my throat. I wrap my arms around myself in a desperate attempt at modesty. Like it changes anything.
“What do you want to talk about?” My grip on my phone tightens. I wish the stupid thing wasn’t dead. That I could call for help. Before he came in here, he was talking to somebody in the hall, which means we aren’t alone.
If I scream, will anybody come help me? Does anybody even know that I’m still here? I think about it. Seriously think about it, because at this point, what have I got to lose?
Austin doesn’t look worried, though. He’s confident. Hell, relaxed even.
This is a man without a care in the world. Not about me screaming, at least.
“Did you have fun last night?” he asks, breaking the silence.
“Sure. Loads.” Lie. I most definitely did not have fun. Being assaulted is not fun. Being forced — I drop that train of thought. Hold it together, Cecilia. Now is not the time or the place. Right now, you need to get the hell out of here. The rest can wait until you’re home. Until you’re safe.
I force myself to smile. To relax. “But, like I said, I need to get going.”
“I get it.” Austin casually leans against the door. “Just want to make sure everyone is on the same page. You know how it is. One small misunderstanding can fuel the rumor mill and all of a sudden, a night of fun turns into a bunch of bullshit in the media. Your dad is up for reelection this year, right?” The way he asks, with that curious glint in his eyes, it sets me immediately on edge.
“Why does that— “
He cuts me off. “My parents contributed. To his campaign, I mean. Did you know that?”
I shake my head, not understanding why any of this is relevant to me. My dad is running for Mayor again. Lots of people contribute to his campaign.
“I don’t like to brag…”
I barely manage to contain my snort. He’s rich, in the Zeta Pi fraternity, on the PacNorth soccer team, and good looking. His ego is bigger than this bedroom and he’s one of those guys that likes hearing the sound of his own voice, so he definitely does, in fact, like to brag.
“But my family is a big deal here in Richland.” Good for him. “We own Holt & Associates. The law firm down on Twenty-Second Street.”
That rock in the pit of my stomach turns into a boulder, and a barely audible gasp slips past my lips.
He hears it, and his smile grows even wider. Holt & Associates is one of my dad’s campaign contributors. But more concerning is the fact that they’re one of the best known law firms in the state. Hell, maybe even the country. They like high-profile cases. The controversial ones that get their firm on the news, which means more often than not, they represent problematic people. Criminals. And they do a really good job getting them off clean.
“Recognize the name?” He chuckles. “I thought you might. Last I heard, they’re one of Russo’s largest donors. Your parents and mine are probably good friends.” He winks. “Like the two of us.”
Indignation floods through me. Friends? Is he serious right now? We are not friends, and I see what he’s doing now. “Fuck you.”
His eyes flash in surprise. “Excuse me?”
My cheeks heat and I mash my lips together as I bite back my words, but screw it. Screw him. “I know what you’re doing.” I’m not stupid. I can read just fine between the lines he’s so clearly drawing out for me.
Austin quirks a blond brow. “Do you, now?” His tone is condescending. If I was at all confused before, I’m not now.
Nausea sweeps through me when I nod my head, the motion making the room spin, but I manage to hold myself together. “You…” I swallow past the lump in my throat. “You raped— “
“Woah, woah.” He holds both hands up in the air. “See. That’s what I’m talking about.” He makes a tsking sound and shakes his head. “You and I need to get on the same page here, Cece. That sort of accusation can ruin someone’s reputation.”
My upper lip curls. “Are you screwing with me?”
