Page 35 of Vengeance (Ruthless MC 4)
“Fuck, fuck…” Hyena says in the way he does when he can feel his orgasm coming before he’s ready to finish.
“We can’t wait to do this to you bare,” he croaks—right before he and Des-E erupt at the same time.
They can’t wait….
As good as they feel, I’m suddenly fighting back tears. But…
Don’t be crazy, my trusty voice reminds me.
It’s Hyena’s turn to bathe me that morning, but Des-E lingers. They take their time, running the towel over my body, and eventually, they dispense with the towels. Hyena openly plays with my breasts while Des-E’s hand slips between my legs. But they stop just short of making me fly again.
“We’re going to miss you, bella,” Des-E murmurs into one ear.
“And we want you ready for us when we get back,” Hyena murmurs into the other before biting it in a way that sends shocks of pleasure down to my highly aroused sex.
Don’t be crazy. Don’t be crazy. Don’t be crazy, I silently chant, tamping down my guilt.
I’m not allowed to go outside, but I walk them to the door. Hyena and Des-E both draw me in for kisses. And Vampire does too. But his is stiff and perfunctory, like a husband going off to work.
“Be good,” he tells me. His voice is its usual Boston flat—but his eyes, they bore into me, burning me like blue lasers.
“Okay, I’m admitting it. I’m going to watch A Christmas Prince,” I whisper back, playing it cool and funny. “Please don’t tell Des-E.”
That makes him smile. And he pulls me back to him and kisses me for real, making my head rush, even as my stomach cramps with guilt.
Don’t be crazy. Don’t be crazy. Don’t be crazy.
I chant that to myself until they’re gone. Then I lie across the couch, so as not to violate the “no sitting” rule, and turn on A Christmas Prince, just like I said I would. On Hyena’s account, to get back at him for being so mean to Des-E.
I give it an hour, just in case they decide to return to check on me—I mean, that’s what I’d do if I were a psycho kidnapper. But they might have trusted me, like I was pretending to trust them. So, after sixty minutes pass, I’m in the zone where it’s now or never. I’ve got to take my shot if I ever hope to escape.
Still, it feels unnatural to pull on the large tee I find in Des-E’s room, and even worse when I put on one of his heavy flannels over it to wear as a coat.
Don’t be crazy. Don’t be crazy. Don’t be crazy.
Suppressing all feelings that aren’t “get the hell out of here,” I grab my backpack from upstairs. I was delighted to discover they hadn’t searched it before returning it to me. Otherwise, they might have found and removed the emergency cash I keep in the pocket designated for earbud headphones.
Then it’s time to cross the first barrier. The one Vengeance might be waiting behind, for all I know. However, I don’t think they are.
They’re criminals, but every time I’ve asked them a question with an answer I won’t like, they’ve stayed quiet rather than lie to me. So I know if they say they’re going to get tested and pick up birth control for me, that’s what they’re going to do.
They’re honorable, in their own way, I admit to myself.
Then I immediately start chanting “Don’t be crazy! Don’t be crazy!” to hold back all the guilt trying to rise up inside of me like bile when I grab hold of the knob.
That’s the Stockholm syndrome, Allie. Focus on the plan.
I open the door. And no Vengeance. Also, no snow.
Never thought I’d say this, but thank goodness for global warming. Des-E’s thick socks in place of shoes aren’t the most comfortable things in the world as I walk. But at least when I step out of the house for the first time ever, it’s just cold, not freezing.
Still, I’m immediately swamped by guilt at the first feel of the sun on my skin in two weeks that hasn’t been filtered by a windowpane.
Wow, do you hear yourself, Allie? This is why you have to leave sooner than later. Don’t be crazy. Don’t be crazy. Don’t be crazy.
I duck my head and do what I always do, no matter what life throws at me. Carry on with the plan.
Step 1: Play along.
Step 2: Get them to trust you.
Step 3: Walk to the butte.
The butte’s a majestic natural wonder. If I’m going to find civilization and help anywhere, it will be there.
The third step of the plan is actually the easiest one. Steps 1 and 2 required all sorts of mental gymnastics. But step three is all physical.
And Des-E’s heavy flannel keeps me warmer than expected. It’s almost as if he’s protecting me on the journey—like he’s there for me, even though I’m breaking all of Vengeance’s rules and running away.
