Page 2 of Riding Hard

He’s making me sweat.

It’s working.

I’m sweating.

My heart races against my rib cage, and then he snorts, as if I’m not completely in enough of a panic, or maybe he thinks it’s funny. I hate it no matter the reason.

“Take your clothes off,” he demands.

I don’t protest or ask why. I don’t need to because I already know what’s coming. Stripping off my clothes, I dip my chin down and look at my bare feet when I’m completely naked. I don’t want to look into his eyes.

Shit would only get worse for me if I did. I try to breathe calmly, knowing that if I panic, he’s going to take advantage of that, and I don’t want to give Victor any reason to take advantage of anything.

“On your knees,” he demands.

With zero hesitation, I drop to my knees. I know if I don’t, whatever comes my way will be tenfold. I feel the impact of my joints hitting the hardwood floor, and at the same time, I hear the thud. I don’t make a single noise, though. Keeping my chin down, I focus my eyes on a little speck of dust on the floor.

“Crawl to me.”

I do what he demands. I lower onto my hands and begin to crawl toward him. My breasts sway with each move. When I reach his feet, I stop. He demands that I sit up and look at him. I rise to my knees, sitting back, and force my gaze to lift to meet his.

He’s pissed.

His jaw is clenched. His eyes are narrowed on me.

This is going to hurt.

He doesn’t even have to tell me that. I can feel it in my bones. When he reaches out, he digs his fingers into my cheeks. And it begins. It hurts so badly that my eyes fill with unshed tears.

I don’t even know what happened to make him angry in the first place this time. I don’t know what set him off and why he’s angry with me. Although I never truly know why he gets this way and why it’s focused on me. Maybe it’s just that I’m the closest to him. Maybe it’s a different reason.

But that doesn’t matter. It never does. I’m the one who will pay for it.

“You’re so fucking pathetic,” he hisses. “You’re going to take everything I give you, and when it’s done, you’ll thank me for it, too.”

And I do. Because it’s either that or my life. When I think I can’t take another second of the pain, when my entire body screams for it to end, I decide I’m going to get the hell out of here. I’m going to run. I’m going to get free of Victor. Even if it means I have to die trying.

CHAPTER

ONE

LOOT

Flicking my gaze up, I look around the yard. Speed’s party is a fucking hit. Wrath’s woman and her cousin really know how to make an afternoon of it and how to deliver a welcoming, chill environment. I wasn’t sure about them at first, but I have to admit, they’re a welcome addition to the club.

It’s a great party for our friend, and it’s a great fucking atmosphere. Elodie walks toward me, holding out a beer. She’s got a smile playing on her lips, and I know she’s just trying to be a good host, but I think she’s also just a good fucking person.

She’s the perfect old lady for him. It’s been a long time since we had any women as a close-knit part of our world, but it was time, and I’m glad for it.

“Beer?” she asks.

“Hey,” I call out.

“Thanks, but don’t let Wrath catch you serving drinks to another man,” I point out what I believe is pretty fucking obvious, but who the hell knows? Maybe it’s not. Maybe she thinks it’s okay to serve other men. Even if it’s a party, it’s very much not. Hostess or not.

She laughs softly, shaking her head before she continues. “He won’t mind. Just wanted to say thank you.”

My brows snap together. No doubt the expression I wear matches the confusion I feel from her words. “Thank you?” I ask.