31. Lena

31

LENA

I feel an unseen presence watching me again, prickling the back of my neck, but I can't place the source. The sensation follows me throughout the day, heightening my anxiety. David hovers over me, acting overly kind and solicitous after he raped me the other night. I shudder inwardly, repulsed by his attempt to make amends. His fake concern only serves as a reminder of his true, abusive nature.

As David drives me home from dinner, the tense silence in the car is suffocating. The moment we step inside, his facade crumbles, and he grabs me roughly, pushing me against the wall. "Time to show your gratitude for dinner," he demands.

So much for him attempting to make amends. Is this what I can expect every night from here on out?

I try to push him away, but his grip tightens. "No, I'm not in the mood," I say, hating the tremor in my voice.

David's hands are everywhere.

I struggle, but he's too strong. I can feel his arousal pressing into my thigh, and I know what's coming. "Please... I don't want to," I beg, my voice small and shaking.

"No one asked you," he growls, his breath hot on my neck. I try to twist away, but he slams me back against the wall, his mouth crushing mine in a brutal kiss. My heart sinks as I realize there's no escaping this. Not tonight.

He tears at my clothes, and I sob, turning my face away. I can't bear to look at him. David grabs my hips and pushes me toward my bedroom. His hands are rough as he forces me onto the bed and shoves my thighs apart.

I clench my teeth. I hate this. I hate him. I want to disappear, to be anywhere but here.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I sense something else. A presence. As if someone else is watching in the room with us. But it's too late to stop what's happening.

David climbs onto the bed, covering me with his body. I will myself to disconnect, to leave my body and float above this sordid scene. Just like I did Friday night.

I can't breathe. David's weight crushes me against the bed as he fumbles to get his cock free. Tears stream down my face, but my pleas fall on deaf ears. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to escape this nightmare.

Suddenly, there's a sickening squelch, and David freezes. His eyes widen in shock as a gurgling sound escapes his lips. Warm liquid splatters my face, and I open my eyes to see a knife protruding from David's throat.

He gapes at me, blood bubbling from his mouth before his body is violently shoved off mine. I try to scream, but a large hand clamps over my mouth, muffling my cries.

My assailant is a dark, imposing figure towering over me. The mask is the same one the man wore at the club.

I stare at the masked man, David's lifeless body crumpled at his feet. My heart pounds as I try to piece together what just happened. He removes his hand.

"Who... who are you?" I manage to choke out.

The man remains silent, his chest rising and falling with each breath. There's something vaguely familiar about his build and how he carries himself. An odd flicker of hope ignites in my gut. "Talon?" I whisper, hardly daring to believe it.

He doesn't respond, but I can feel the intensity of his gaze even through the mask. I search his face for any recognition, but he gives nothing away.

Before I can say anything else, he brings a damp cloth over my nose and mouth. A sickly sweet scent invades my senses, making my head swim.

I thrash wildly, trying to break free, but his grip is like iron. Black spots dance before my vision as the world starts to spin. My eyelids grow heavy, and I feel myself slipping away into unconsciousness.

The last thing I see is his striking blue eyes glinting through the mask's eyeholes, watching me as the darkness claims me.