Jauhnna Chapter 5

I was so upset, I could barely keep from shaking. My enjoyment of the morning changed to anger as I stood inside Diablo's house and heard some of what they were arguing about. Did they think I was someone who would just have sex with a man, one I didn't know, at the drop of a hat? Or was it that they intended to extract payment for their help by insisting I sleep with one of them regardless of whether I was willing or not? Or possibly all of them? The thought filled me with anger and horror. Hoping I could sneak past the house to get to the clubhouse and find my way out of this place, I took off out the back door once I discovered it.

Unfortunately, Diablo saw me, and now I was face-to-face with him. My answer to his question about where I was going clearly stunned him. He was standing there gaping at me. The other two had gotten quiet. Shaking my arm to get him to let go, I jerked on it when he didn't. He gripped it tighter and tugged me closer to him. I put up my hands to keep some distance between us, which meant my palms were on his hard chest.

"You think we'd demand sex as payment for helping you?" he asked incredulously.

"Why not? Isn't that what all men want? Who cares if it's freely given? If the woman says no, just take it. After all, she's nothing but a woman. What rights does she have?" I spit out. My stomach rolled. I wanted to kick myself. I'd been letting down my walls with him. Breakfast was fun and lighthearted, something I'd never had with a man. See where it got me? This time, when I yanked on my arm, he let go.

Scorpion and Wolverine were coming toward us. I backed away from them. There was no way I could fight all three. Not waiting for them to reach us, I took off running. I had no idea where to hide, but I had to do something. I heard them yelling my name and telling me to stop, but I kept running. My heart pounded so loudly in my ears that I had no idea anyone was close to me until I was picked up off the ground. As those massive arms encircled me, I screamed and began to kick and struggle to get away.

"Jauhnna, please, you've got to listen. No one is going to hurt you or force you to have sex with them. Stop!" Diablo shouted next to my ear.

I kept fighting. I didn't believe a word any of them said. The other two were now in front of me. They were trying to get me to settle down, too.

"Honey, God, you can't think that. Surely not," Wolverine was saying. He appeared troubled.

"Jesus, babe, you've got this all wrong. I swear to you. No one plans to touch you against your will. You heard what we told you last night," Scorpion argued.

I was drumming my heels off Diablo's legs. He must've gotten tired of it because the next thing I knew, he wrapped a leg around mine to capture and hold them trapped between his. My arms were useless, the way he had them pinned at my sides, so I tried using my head. I groaned as the cut and knot on the back of my head made contact with his upper chest when I slammed it back, hoping to catch his face or at least his jaw.

"Stop. You're hurting yourself," he ordered gruffly.

"Go to hell! You're not touching me. I won't be violated," I shouted.

As I was yelling, I saw more guys coming toward us. My panic hit new highs. Oh my God, I'd never survive this. I began to hyperventilate.

"Shit, she's freaking out. Please, you've got to slow your breathing, Jauhnna. No one is here to violate you," Wolverine said louder.

As the other men approached us, dark spots started to dot my vision. Along with them, a flood of memories hit me. I let out another useless scream and then choked. Everything became a jumbled mess of blurred images and loud voices. Suddenly, one of the voices came through loud and clear.

"Jauhnna, Galway isn't here. He can't hurt you anymore, and neither can his men. You're safe. We're your guardians. We'll protect you. You're safe," a strange voice shouted. I tried to believe him, but I couldn't. I wasn't able to get air into my lungs. I gasped and struggled, but it was no use. As it all quickly faded to black, I sent up a prayer. Don't let me wake up. Let me die.