Chapter 1

Tillie

My breath saws in and out rapidly, and each draw of oxygen into my lungs feels heavy. I can't breathe. The need to claw at my skin grows the longer I'm laying in the dark of the trunk. It's hot and sticky, making pieces of my hair slip from my ponytail and stick to my sweat-slicked cheeks.

"Peaches."

My eyes can't focus on anything, they keep shifting around, looking for any means of escape. I notice that my fingernails hurt and are wet, probably from clawing at the lid of the trunk like a wild animal.

Just fucking open!

Why won't it open? I want out. I need to get out before they deliver me into Cruz's clutches.

Oh God. I'm going to be sick.

"Tillie!" Violent tremors wrack my body, and my eyes snap over to the source gripping my upper arms. Blue. Bright, blue eyes. A gaze I always seem to drown in, happily sucking all the oxygen out of me until I'm desperate to breathe again. Tey. "That's it. Focus on me, peaches. Take a deep breath. Feel me, baby." Tey releases my arms from the tight grip he has on me and clasps my cold hands, placing them against his warm chest.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

His heartbeat is racing, but his gaze is direct and calming as he stares at me in the dark trunk. He's right here with me. I'm not alone. He holds me so close that his minty breath washes over my face, the tip of his nose against mine.

"T–Tey," I stutter, my lips trembling as I try not to get lost again in a panic attack.

My nails dig into his skin, almost wanting to claw my way into his heart and stay there. Blood coats his chest, either mine or his, maybe both.

"I know you're scared right now, but I need you," he whispers, slamming his palm on the ceiling as the car swerves around a corner too hard, knocking us into the opposite metal frame.

Maybe we'll die before we even make it to our slow death, our necks snapped from the reckless drivers as we're thrown around back here.

"We're going to die," I state the obvious, my panting breath fanning his face as he peers down at me before going back to inspecting the taillights.

Those things aren't going to pop out, even if he tries. Besides, what's he going to do? Stick his hand out of the hole and hope someone sees? People these days pretend to not see shit because they don't want to get involved. Can't say I blame them.

"We aren't going to die. At least not here. I kind of pictured us dying together with something epic, like fireworks and shit. Maybe a sinking boat? But you better share the fucking door with me, or we go down together. Stupid, fucking Rose," he mutters under his breath, reaching up to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye before he starts kicking at the taillight behind him.

"Are you crying?" I ask, sounding ludicrous to my own ears, wondering if maybe I'm actually dreaming and I'm back in bed with the guys surrounding me.

"Naw. I'm allergic to assholes I couldn't kill," he replies in a serious tone, his white teeth shining in the dark as he glances down at me with a smirk.

"Didn't know you were allergic to Logan this whole time," I drawl out sarcastically, unable to help myself, even as I'm panting through each suffocating breath while tightening my arms around him.

"There she is. Do you think we can bang out a quickie before we arrive wherever we're going? Wonder if I can pump you full with more of my cum? Practice makes perfect. I'll add your period to my calendar so I know when we can start to make babies," Tey coos softly, dropping a quick peck on my parted lips as I stare up at him like he's insane.

Well, he is crazy, but still.

"We'll talk about this later when we aren't about to die, okay? I'm not ready for babies," I say in shock while grasping his bicep as the car swerves again before it starts to slow down.

"Whatever you say, baby mama. I totally get Dom now, and I'm glad the man is on board." Tey shuffles in the tight space, giving the taillights one more kick with a muttered curse under his breath. "Okay, game plan. Kill everyone, then get back to fucking. I just need you to play dead for now."

I feel like my mind is spiraling and I'm kind of relieved it's Tey stuck here with me because everything that comes out of his mouth is crazy and distracting but gets my attention through all the panic. He slides my panties out of my hair that I used as a hair tie earlier and quickly slips them up my legs, back into place covering my pussy. He moves me around so easily, like a ragdoll, and any other time, I'd find it extremely hot how he can just throw me around any way he wants.

"How do you expect me to play dead, and what the hell are you going to be doing?" I shake my head to clear it, letting my limbs relax as he arranges my body just as the car completely stops and the engine cuts off.

"Playing dead right here with you. It catches people unaware and makes them think you're weak. Don't do anything until I do, okay, lover? Just keep your eyes closed and steady each breath you take," he explains, crossing my arms over my chest like I'm actually dead before I end up smacking his hands away and relaxing them at my side.

"Fuck," I whisper hoarsely as I hear the car door open and slam shut, boots crunching on gravel.

"I'm right here," Tey promises before letting his head slump to the side and closing his eyes.

He does look like he's dead with all the blood coating his face after being ganged up on and beaten. He acts like he doesn't even feel the pain and I'm beginning to realize there is more to Tey than I know. I'm determined to keep getting to know him, and that thought alone has my body relaxing while my eyes close just as the trunk opens.

"Fucking pussies. Don't know why Carlos said to be careful with the blond one. A few hits and he's out cold." One of the men standing over us scoffs and slides his hands under my body to pick me up.

I make sure my body is limp, hopefully making his job harder with my body being deadweight. I hate the feeling of his hands on my skin, especially when he squeezes my ass cheek before tossing me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The only thing keeping me from screaming my head off is imagining hacking this fucker's hand off and shoving his middle finger up his ass, and, of course, Tey being here. I have to believe he won't let anything happen to me. He'll kill everyone, let his psycho flag fly free if anything hurts me.

"Jesus. This bastard is heavy. Carlos, grab his feet." Someone swears, grunting as they grab Tey out of the trunk.

I peek through my hair as we start walking inside some building, my arms swaying limply with each step of my captive's stride. Two guys are carrying Tey behind me; one grabbing his feet while the other has his wrists. I know Tey is getting a kick out of them grunting, sweating, and shuffling their feet as they carry his ass around.

I try to count how many times we turn a corner and whether we go left or right, but not being able to see clearly makes it feel like we're walking through a maze. For some reason, it smells like tacos and smoked meat. I think we're in a restaurant.

Finally, at some point, he stops and swings open a door. The sound of heavy clunking and a buzz fills my ears the moment we step into a room, and the hot blast of a heat wave fans my face.

"Dump him right there, and make sure those chains are tight," the guy holding me commands before he bends and drops me onto the cold, concrete ground.

I'm instantly sweating from the heat of the room and having déjà vu of being in a basement. The guy does something above me, and I hear the sound of metal hitting metal before I feel the cold steel placed around one of my wrists.

Fuck.

They laugh above our prone bodies, making it difficult to keep my breathing even as one of them talks about the vile things he wants to do to me. I'm only wearing my skirt and bra, but luckily these fuckers are scared little shits about blood.

"Shut the hell up. This bitch bled all over my fucking shirt," the one who carried me says in disgust.

Who's the pussy now?

It's just a little blood and completely fucking normal.

"Filthy cunt," I hear one of them spit out, followed by the shuffling of feet until their voices sound further away and a door bangs closed. I wait, count to ten, and slowly open my eyes.

The first thing my eyes connect with is Tey's bright blue ones right beside me, holding my gaze before a small smile forms on his lips. He's making sure I'm okay and looks relieved that I'm not spiraling into a panic. At least, not at the moment.

"I'm okay. Where are we?" I glance away from him, taking in our prison cell as sweat rolls down my spine.

Copper pipes hang from the ceiling, which is what's making the clicking noise as the steam generator pumps out heat, and the danger signs plastered to the walls makes my stomach queasy. We're in a boiler room. No wonder it feels like my skin is melting off.

"We're in a Mexican restaurant," Tey says, standing up slowly before arching his back as best as he can, and letting out a groan.

I climb to my feet too, grimacing at the soreness between my legs and the sticky feeling of Tey's cum coating my thighs. At least I'm not bleeding too bad, though I never do on the first day. Small miracles.

"How do you know?" I ask, puzzled as to how he knows where we are.

"Saw the sign as they were carrying us in. Angel?" Tey's tone comes out so serious and deep that I have to turn back to him. I've never heard him without a hint of a smile in his voice. "I need you to take off your skirt and rip a piece off to tie your hair up away from your face. I'm going to strip too."

My brows scrunch, confused as he uses one hand to start tugging off his pants until he's kicking off his shoes and socks at the same time. He stands back up and arches a brow when he notices I'm not doing as he said and I'm just staring at him like he's lost his mind.

"Tey… we aren't having sex right now," I tell him very slowly, as if it's a foreign language to him.

"Baby, my sweet cherry, the woman of my desires, I'm glad your mind goes straight to the gutter with me around, but the clothes need to go. It's fucking hot in here and I don't need you passing out on me. Strip." He winks and turns his attention to the shackle around his wrist, tugging on it to test its strength.

I watch him, realizing we aren't going anywhere as he grunts, his muscles tensing with each pull on the metal that's connected to a thick pipe bolted to the floor. My gaze slides down his back, watching the delicious muscles shift as his shoulder blades bunch together. The tapered, perfect V of his hips has my mouth watering, and the moment my eyes get to his incredibly muscular ass, a laugh bursts out of my mouth before I can stop it.

His underwear is a light, blush pink with two whole peaches on each butt cheek, and the writing just below his waistband says sweet cheeks.

"Find something funny, peaches?" He turns towards me and I get a view of the front of his underwear, where there's more writing right over his dick.

Juicy.

I drop to my knees, tears clouding my vision as I clench my stomach in pain from laughing so hard.

"T–Tey. Oh, God. Please don't ever change. I freaking love you," I breathe out through my laughter, glancing up to see him staring down at me with so much hunger in his gaze that I immediately sober up.

"You can't say stuff like that to me and not expect me to fuck your juicy pussy," he mutters darkly, his voice rough as he reaches around me and unzips my skirt until it pools around my ankles.

"Get us the hell out of here, Tey, and you'll have access any time you want." I gesture towards the space between my thighs, feeling the low, pulsing throb of how empty I feel and the butterflies in my stomach from just the thought of him pushing his big cock inside me again.

"I'll hold you to that promise, but knowing the guys, you're going to have to be wide open with a red light because my guess is they're already looking for us. Be prepared for your pussy to know the shape of all of our cocks and to be walking like a cowboy for the rest of your days." He wiggles his eyebrows at me before sitting down so he's leaning against the pipe we're chained to while grabbing my skirt.

I step out of the way and shuffle closer to him, plopping down on my ass right next to him with a heavy sigh. I don't care that it's hotter than hell in here and I'm melting like a popsicle, I need skin-to-skin contact with him to ground me. He rips my skirt into strips and holds up a piece in my face.

"Turn," he demands, and I comply, giving him my back with my head bent near his chained-up hand so it's easier for him to put my hair up into a ponytail.

His fingers slide through my messy hair, untangling knots and causing me to tilt my head back towards him more. I'm not used to being taken care of or the gentle way he handles me. He's tough enough to send people running the moment they make eye contact with his wild, blue gaze, but once Tey decides you're someone important to him, he'll move heaven and hell to protect you. I know without a doubt I'm one of those people, and I'm glad I get to see this side of him. Although, I love his psycho ass too.

"Where did you learn to do this?" I ask, my voice coming out drowsy and content.

He's quiet for a little bit, finishing up tying my hair into a high ponytail before I sit up and turn back towards him. He slides some flyaway strands behind my ear and sighs as he drops his arms, closing his eyes with his head tilting towards the ceiling.

"You know I grew up in foster care, bounced from house to house. It made me the way I am today. Every person who beat me down, the ones who told me I was a nobody and always would be… I don't want that for the other kids. It's the reason I stay where I'm at even though I'm eighteen. Someone has to look out for those kids, tell them they can make it out of here one day and be somebody. So, yeah. You need pigtails, a messy bun, or braids, I'm your guy. You'd be surprised how bossy an eight-year-old can be when she wants her hair a certain way, and people say I'm crazy… Girls are scary." He pretends to shudder and glances at me out of the corner of his eye, his cheeks turning red.

Oh. My. God.

My ovaries are doing strange things, tightening and making it difficult to breathe, because right now, I want to give this man all the babies he wants.

I'm losing my mind, but that was the sweetest thing I've ever heard, and now it's my life mission to see him, or any of the guys, holding a tiny baby.

"I'm too freaking young, Tey, but damn, if I don't want to have a gazillion bab—" My mouth snaps shut when the doorknob rattles and someone starts to walk in.

My heart pounds, the blood draining away from my face as a boot appears first, then a dirty jean pant leg, leading up to a vest that's so familiar it makes me sick to my stomach, and finally, into eyes that give me endless nightmares.

"Hello, little bird. My, my. You escape your cage and make all sorts of interesting friends, but don't worry, I'm here now to bring you back right where you belong. Did you miss me?" Cruz's voice comes out emotionless, but the dangerous glint in his eyes causes my vision to blur as if I'm going to pass out any minute.

I just might. I'd rather be having my nightmare of being back in that fucking basement at the compound than actually having him stand here right in front of me. I'll slit my wrists first before ever ending up in his clutches again. I want to say something, anything to show I'm not afraid, but my throat closes as my chest heaves up and down in panic.

"Hey, fuck face. Get fucked, you dirty cum stain!" Tey shouts, drawing Cruz's attention away from me to flick a fleeting, annoyed glance at Tey before he gazes back at me.

Cruz doesn't see Tey as a threat. He wouldn't, thinking he's above everyone else. I don't want him even looking or thinking about Tey. His attention needs to stay on me, no matter what, because he'll punish me if he knows I have feelings for anyone else.

"I didn't miss you. Honestly, I forgot you existed," I reply back smoothly, trying to make my voice sturdy, but I think my trembling bottom lip gives away how terrified I am.

"You forgot me? Forgot how I pounded into your virgin asshole, making you sore and bloody? You can't forget me, Tillie. I'm engraved in your skin. You hold scars I put there, and the scar tissue around your puckered asshole will always be a reminder that I've been inside you. Cover your body in tattoos to hide our time together, but make no mistake… I own you." My world tilts on its axis, narrowing down until I can see only his eyes as he hurts me over and over again. My screams echo in my head from that night, making me wonder if I really did escape or if I've been dreaming of freedom this whole time. Something that will never be within my reach. "Now you're getting it." Cruz crouches in front of me and slaps me hard across the cheek with no warning.

My head whips to the side from the force of the blow as I blink tears away. A whooshing sound is pounding in my ears, but I can see Tey yelling when my gaze clashes with his furious one. The burning on my cheek pulses, but this isn't the first time I've been hit. Years of Payne taking his anger out on me and his obedience lessons have made it easy to push past the pain.

"I'm going to kill you," Tey whispers so quietly and deadly that it causes goose bumps to break out on my arms.

Cruz ignores him, stroking the back of his hand over my stinging cheek before reaching for my hair like a cobra striking its prey. He tugs me closer as I yelp at the sudden hard grip.

"Time for obedience lessons." Cruz's menacing eyes contain the only emotion he'll ever show. It shows just how sick he really is.

I am nothing. I feel nothing.

Time is running out for me, but I refuse to show my fear in front of this sociopath. Even if I'm gurgling on my own blood with my last breath, he won't have the satisfaction of knowing the fear that consumes me in his presence.

I'll die before giving him another piece of me.

"Fuck you!" I scream in his face with everything inside me.