Page 97 of The Forbidden Villain
Breathing through my nose, I blink and blink, adjusting my vision, waiting for the countless white dots to disappear, and gasp in horror when everything finally clears.
Because two men get out of a car—I think? It has four wheels where people can sit, that’s what Mom used to describe as a car—and smile wildly at me, reminding me so much of the monster.
They have the same cruelty in their gazes.
“Well, well, well. Would you look at that?” one of them says, playing with a small stick in his mouth. “Who do we have here?”
The other one nods. “Dirty and bruised up just like he described him.” They share a long laugh as I step back. “Underneath all this, though, he’s pretty. Too pretty.”
The way he says it sends more fear through me, and the familiar nausea that I used to feel in the monster’s presence shows itself again.
“Robert promised a good amount of money for him, John.”
John shrugs. “He doesn’t need to know we found him. He can keep his fucking money, we’ll get more for him than he offers. Besides, Robert is a psycho. He might kill us if we bring this kid to him.”
The other one doesn’t seem too convinced, judging by how he sighs. “Are you sure?”
“He will sell.” He takes a step, and I move back before throwing my rock at him, which earns me more laughter. “He’sa fighter, and the perverted fucks love to break spirits. He’s perfect.”
I turn around, but I don’t get far before strong arms wrap around me. “Got you.” I twist in his arms, trying to bite him and kick him, only to cry out when he hits me hard, throwing me inside the car and putting something sticky over my mouth. “Save the strength for later, pretty one. You’ll need it in hell.”
Since I continue to struggle, they hit me again with something heavy, and everything goes black.
And if I thought I’ve experienced hell on earth back then?
It was nothing compared to what awaited me next.
As human greed knows no bounds.
A fact I’ve learned from a very young age.
Lavender
“My brothers are going to kill me,” I mutter under my breath, and it earns me a chuckle from Gordon, who parks by the coffee shop.
“Don’t worry, miss. I’m sure they’ll understand.”
“Right.”
I hop out and rush toward their usual table located in the right corner, under the huge umbrella. The place is packed with servers running hectically between the tables.
Emmaline notices me first, waving at me as she sits in the chair with Rafael next to her, and this makes Aileen and Rush turn, who sit together on the opposite side of them. “Hi. I’m sorry for being late.”
I grab the empty chair at the head of the table, which gives me a clear view of everyone, and sit, reaching for the menu.
“You aren’t late. We just made our orders,” Aileen says. “You look very pretty.”
I chose to wear an emerald-green dress with silver flats, pulled my hair into a ponytail, and used all the foundation and concealer to cover up the hickeys. I was surprised how well it actually worked. “Thank you. It’s hot today.” Hence, I appreciate the various fans scattered all over the place.
Emma comes to our table with a tablet, and asks, “Welcome, Miss Wright. Happy to see you again. Do you want the usual?”
“Hi! Just green tea, please, and eggs. No dessert.” I’m not hungry at all, but it would be suspicious if I didn’t eat anything.
My brothers might act all relaxed, wrapped up in their wives, but I don’t miss their hawklike gazes scanning me from head to toe, or the silent communication between them, which I always found annoying.
Or maybe I’m just jealous I don’t have a twin with whom I can share such a connection.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to my fucked-up mind, so I prefer not to examine it.
