But sometimes, when I was tired or stressed or sleep deprived, I couldn’t fight off the shadows of that night.

Baseball Cap and Adidas were there, ready to touch me, hurt me—make me forget I was safe and they could never touch me.

I like the thought of you giving me a blowjob. Get her on her knees

Those times, I was able to shove aside awful memories by remembering Nameless. Believing the world was good and bad but most of the time right won over wrong. He was there, fighting off nightmares, giving me candy and kisses.

He was my safe place.

He made me believe things were fine.

Tonight had proven me wrong.

Twice.

If you scream, we’ll beat you fucking bloody, and you’ll wake up with nothing.

My mind was full of useless snippets and three-year-old voices from that night. They became louder and stronger as Greg switched his stalking for attack.

A silent cry fell from my lips as he charged.

“No!” I twisted on the spot, my bare feet sticking to the tiles as I forgot about standing up to him and chose running instead.

Only, I didn’t get far.

First, we get what we want, and then you get what you want.

“Gotcha.” Greg’s arms lashed around my waist, pulling me to him.

My fingers gripped the wine bottle as I hoisted it over my head, wildly aiming, blinding hoping. Blood-red shiraz chugged from the tip, splashing me, Greg, my kitchen.

“Give me that.” He held me trapped with one arm, grabbing my wrist with his free hand.

“Stop!” I squirmed and wiggled. I swung and pummeled. “Let me go!”

I tried to defend myself.

But it was no use.

You want to see my cock, bitch. Can’t deny that shit.

He twisted the bottle from my fingers and placed it carefully on the bench. He didn’t smash it or cause any noise.

He kept his abduction as silent as possible.

To keep it secret.

So make it unsecret.

I screamed as loud as I could. The back of my throat shredded, but I screamed and screamed—

He slapped a hand over my lips, silencing me. “Quit it.” Breathing hard as I tried to kick his legs, he hissed, “Do you honestly think anyone will hear you? These apartments are triple walled. You’re on the top floor. Save your breath.”

Turning me in his embrace, he grabbed my wrists, trapped them behind my back, and kissed me quick and deep.

Let’s see what your tits are like.

I tried to bite his tongue, but he was too fast. A swift claiming and then a retreat, knowing he’d won and I was his.

I fought harder, ignoring how strong he was and how weak he made me. “Stop this, Greg.” My voice climbed a few octaves, making me beg even when I tried to command. “Let me go.”

He merely laughed. “You’re not the one in charge tonight.” He strode over to the invisible drawer holding random pieces of junk. Unlike Penn, he knew how to press to open. Grabbing some twine I’d used to hold the turkey stuffing in place, he wrapped it around my wrists, tying tight.

Before we show you ours, you have to show us yours.

Once I was helpless, he marched me forward. “You and I are going for a little drive.” Scooping up a pair of car keys I hadn’t seen on my kitchen bench, he pushed me toward the door, opened it, and shoved me over the threshold.

Panic billowed faster.

I didn’t want to leave with him.

Please!

“Where are we going?” My heart galloped as he punched the down button for the elevator and dragged me onto it.

He pressed the button for the garage below. “Somewhere no one will find us.” He rocked his cock against my back as he kept me locked in front of him. “Somewhere we can get to know each other and finally agree that marriage between us is the best thing—for everyone.”

I sneered. “I’m already engaged.”

To a liar—just like you.

To a criminal—just like you.

I prodded the hurt inside that Penn had caused.

I asked the question I’d been avoiding.

Was Penn Baseball Cap or Adidas?

Was he the one who’d grabbed my breast or torn off my sapphire star?

Penn’s promises echoed in my head.

Say yes, and you’re mine. You’ll answer to me. Sometimes, you’ll hate me. Most of the time, you’ll probably want to kill me.

He was right.

I did want to kill him.

Multiple times.

My chest ached as another of his truthless pledges rang in my ears.

I will lie to others about us. I will paint a picture that isn’t true. I will curse and hurt and do whatever I damn well want, but you have my word on one thing. I won’t lie to you. What you see from me will be the honest fucking truth.

Liar.

Liar.

Liar.

Greg chuckled. “That engagement is a sham.” He kissed my throat, pushing aside my hair with his car keys, scraping me with the sharp-toothed metal. “I’m not a fucking idiot, Elle.”

The elevator dinged, depositing us into the underground garage. He pressed his key fob, and a graphite Porsche beeped with welcome.

I’d seen his car before, hell, I’d been in his car when he drove me to a meeting across town when David suddenly came down with food poisoning. But I’d never been forced into his car or made to feel as if he would hurt me if I disobeyed.

I shot forward, taking him by surprise.

I managed a few steps before he looped his fingers around the twine on my wrists, slamming me to a stop.