Page 193 of Make Us Yours
“Hello, Veronica.”
“Victor.” My hands instantly begin to tremble, but I clench them into fists, not letting him see the effect he has on me. Not showing any weakness.
“Not a very smart move telling them not to come.” He tsks me. “Although it does play in my favor. So, thank you for that.” He smirks.
“What do you want, Victor?” I keep my eyes trained on him, looking for any sign of a weapon before making an exit strategy.Just like he taught me to do.
He chuckles and reaches behind him, pulling out a knife with a sharp-looking blade. “Is this what you’re looking for? Don’t forget who taught you, little one. I know all your tricks.”
“I asked you a question,” I bark out, done playing his stupid game. “What do you want?”
“That’s a good question.” He brings the tip of the blade to his finger, pressing it in as he twirls it around.
He then pulls his finger away, looks at it, and brings it to his lips, likely licking the blood from where the blade punctured his skin. It’s his way of showing me just how threatening the weapon he holds is.
“You almost cost me my life, you know that? Did you think I wouldn’t find out it was you? That I didn’t know it was you who snitched us out to the feds?” He takes a step closer, and I go to take one back, but his booming voice stops me. “Don’t even think about it!”
My body instantly freezes up, just like it used to whenever he’d raise his voice atme as I waited for my punishment to arrive. I swallow past the bile in my throat while thinking of a way to get to my phone that rests on the counter not far behind me and then hiding somewhere.
But where?
“You know, it’s a nice disguise you have going on; too bad it wasn’t enough to fool me.” He takes another step. “You used to be such a good girl for me, but I should have known better. I think it’s time I make you pay for everything you’ve put me through.”
“Me?! EverythingIputyouthrough?! You tortured me for years! You beat me and raped me repeatedly! Then you passed me around to your friends and had them do the same!” I yell at him, tears springing to my eyes as I shake violently.
“You deserved everything you got! If you had followed the rules, I wouldn’t have had to punish you!” He takes an aggressive step forward, making me flinch.
His words ring in my head, sounding too familiar.Aren’t I doing the exact same thing with Gabe and Noah? Punishing them when they don’t follow my rules. Is that where my obsession with organizing and wanting everything to be perfect comes from? Has he really been living in my head this whole time?
A loud booming noise sounds from somewhere below us, shaking the floors as I lose my footing slightly and grab onto the island to stabilize myself. “What was that?” Worry laces my voice.
He smiles diabolically. “A distraction.”
My instincts kick in. I spin quickly on my heels and lunge for my phone, but he tackles me to the ground before I have time to catch it. I scream as he lifts me off the floor and puts his hand over my mouth, stopping my yells from echoing through the room.
I try to fight against his hold, but he’s too strong. He pins my front to the kitchen island, keeping his body pressed up against my back and his hand over my lips. He lifts the hand that still holds the knife and brings it to my throat as tears track down my face.
“Shh, it’s okay, little one. All you need to do is be a good girl for me one last time, and this will all be over quickly.”
He licks up the side of my face, capturing my tears, and I shiver in disgust. Just then, the sound of the door unlocking in the foyer that leads to the main elevator and stairs echoes in the quiet penthouse.
“Hmm, seems your little boy toys are home earlier than planned. That’s okay, we’ll just have to make some quick adjustments to my plan,” he whispers into my ear. “I wonder how they’ll react when I tie them up and force them to watch as Ifuck you and then kill you.” He chuckles wickedly against my ear, his grimy breath stinging my nostrils.
“VERONICA!!”The door smacks against the wall, and seconds later, Noah and Gabe come into view.
They stop the moment they see us, taking cautious steps toward the island. My hands grip the edge of the counter, and I breathe hard through my nose, blinking away the tears in my eyes. With every inhale and exhale, I feel the blade press into my skin.
“I wonder how I should do it. Maybe a quick slice to the throat? Ending your miserable life within seconds.” He presses the blade deeper against my neck. I hiss at the sting as it cuts through the skin slightly.
“Or maybe I should torture you, cut off body part after body part. Skin you alive. Cauterize everything so you can’t bleed out, and I can continue to make your life hell, the same way you made mine.” He smiles at them as he paints a gruesome visual.
“Don’t you fucking touch her!” Gabe steps to the side, going near one end of the island, while Noah stays near the other.They’re trying to corner him in.
Victor laughs loudly. “And what are you going to do about it if I do, boy?”
“I’ll fucking kill you,” Gabe answers without hesitation.
No, baby! Don’t play the bluffing game with him!
