Chapter 28

One Year ago

I sit huddled against the wall; my naked body smeared with blood. Closing my watery eyes, I lean my head back, wrapping my arms around my legs and holding them close to my bare chest. As I sniffle, the metallic tang of blood fills my mouth, a taste I've grown accustomed to after enduring ten years of violent abuse. I wipe my possibly broken nose with the back of my hand, my mind growing hazy, likely from yet another concussion.

Suddenly, a distant whisper reaches my ears, and I slowly open my eyes. "Are you okay? I heard what they were doing to you." I rest my chin on my knees in silence as she continues. "We need to get out of here. It will only get worse when he gets what he wants."

I glance down at the shackle that is attached to my ankle, as it is most of the time. "It's no use, Ara. We've been trying for months now, and we need to accept that there is no escaping him." I murmur back.

"Pull on the chain. I have been doing it for the past week now and the bracket on the wall is coming loose." She says with determination and my eyes follow the thick, silver chain until they land on the heavy metal bracket that is screwed tightly in the solid wall. I brim with tears, feeling like giving up already and I throw my head back, my eyes closed. "I am just ready to die, Ara. I'm sorry."

Suddenly she shouts at me in a demonic voice that pierces close to my ears, thumping my brain. "Fuck that! We're getting out of here!"

Present time

Tomorrow night marks another Circus performance, and Hell has had me in vigorous training so I can perform for the first time as the Hollow's girl. I'll be dancing and performing with him on the wheel of death, along with other terrifying stunts. To say I am not nervous would be an understatement, but in a way, being around him this much and with the training, it has taken my mind off things. When I am with Hell, he seems to calm my crazed thoughts. Despite them shouting at me to do horrendous things when he isn't around, they go silent when he is.

The more I get to know him, the more I find myself entangled by feelings I never knew existed within me. It's an intensity that steals my breath, but only in the most powerful way. He makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. His touch is an enigma, both rough and tender, igniting my veins like an addictive drug. But I've noticed his growing curiosity, the way he asks more and more questions, as if he senses I am hiding things, and he wants to decipher the darkness I don't show. It's clear I am confusing him.

As always, reluctance takes over, and I shut down. What's the point in telling him everything that has happened? What could he do? I'd rather he remain in the dark, so I don't have to relive it all over again. I worry his view of me could change, that he'll treat me like a fragile doll instead of the woman I am. I want him to stay true to himself, to continue being the brutal man I've grown obsessed with.

Yeah, it would be nice to talk to him, to share my burdens, but it would change so much between us. The dynamic we have would be altered, and I don't want that. I need him to see me as strong, as resilient. Telling him everything could strip that away, and I just can't bear the thought of it.

As I flip and dance on the death wheel, I feel his heated stare on me from below, seated in the front row, beer in hand, barking out orders now and then. This circus isn't for the faint-hearted, and I know it will take time to get used to it, but right now, I am also torn between staying, hoping to blend into the shadows, or leaving altogether and that decision cripples me.

"Straighten your back!" he yells from a distance.

I halt, slowing the wheel, breathing heavily, my lungs starving for oxygen. Hell is a tough fucking trainer; he is a perfectionist. After swiping my sweaty brow with the back of my arm, I place my hands on my hips and stare down at him. Tilting his head back, he takes a big swig of his beer, his eyes locked on mine, then lowers the bottle. Leaning forward, he hooks his finger at me to come down. I take a deep breath, somewhat relieved he's giving me a break.

As the wheel descends, I jump, my muscles aching, and then stroll toward him through the empty tent. It's just us. It's late, it's silent and the lights are dim. I take my hair tie from my wrists and gather my sweaty hair before creating a messy bun atop my head.

I stop in front of him, behind the barrier as he sits back, legs spread wide and shirtless. His devious eyes rake down my body with a wicked intensity, taking in the silky, black bodysuit that sits high on my hips, wedging up my ass, and the black fishnets covering my legs down to my knee-high, platformed boots. When his gaze meets mine, his lips lift into a devilish sneer.

"Dance for me, pretty girl."

I tilt my head to the side, and he waits patiently, never breaking eye contact. "There's no music," I say.

He lifts a brow, "Use your imagination and let your beautiful body flow."

With his forearms resting on his thighs, he points to the floor between his legs. "Here," he demands through tight teeth.

He wants a private show, and I have a feeling it won't end there. His entire demeanor tells me he is seeking some form of dominance. I don't know Hell well, yet, but I know him well enough to sense when he is eager to rearrange my organs, which is often. I let out a tense breath before walking around the barrier and passing all the front-row seats while releasing my hair. I halt between his legs as he rests back lazily.

When I think of a tune in my head, I allow my body to move to the music. I dance slowly, sensually, letting my hips sway and my arms trace patterns in the air. His eyes follow every movement, a predatory gleam in them and the sexual tension between us thickens.

I arch my back, letting my hair cascade down, my body bending and twisting to the rhythm. He drinks in every curve and motion as he drinks his beer, every part of me, he devours.

The imaginary music takes complete possession of me, and I swiftly turn, lowering myself onto his lap. I roll my neck before laying my back against his powerful chest. I rotate my hips, pressing my ass against his cock, my hands tight on his thighs. I feel and hear him inhale deeply, gradually losing control. I place my palm on the side of his tattooed neck, continuing to grind against him. He gazes down at my moving body, sweeping his palms up the front of me, but when I turn my face to the side, he follows, forcing our lips so close they lightly brush, sending electricity through me.

Maintaining eye contact, I bring my lips closer to his, taking his bottom lip between my teeth, sinking them in before sucking and dragging back. A deep growl escapes him and when I release, I push myself off him, whirling around.

I bend forward, resting my hands on his broad shoulders, and lift one leg, then the other, descending my pussy onto his clothed cock. I feel it strengthening beneath me as I flex my body back and forth like I am riding a wave. His eyes darken as I continue to buck my hips, wrapping my arms loosely around the back of his neck and flinging my head back.

He reaches up, flicking my hair over my shoulders casually before pulling the zipper down the front of my bodysuit. He stretches it, freeing my tits as expected. He glides his palm up and between my breasts before taking my throat, keeping my head tilted back, while his other hand squeezes my ass.

I continue to grind down on his hard length, the friction and heat between us building and his grip tightens, a primal need evident in his touch. The room feels charged; every sensation amplified.

As soon as he has had enough of the teasing, although it's his own fault for asking, he suddenly grabs the back of my hair, tugging it back. Then, leans forward and I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist as he stands.

Soon, we enter a room somewhere within the circus, and my ass is dropped onto a table. He releases my hair, grabbing my jaw firmly, and his lips collide with mine. We kiss savagely, my hands moving up his firm torso and he squeezes my ass, dragging me forcefully closer to him. He stretches my bodysuit over my shoulders, roughly ripping it down my body until it's on my hips. His big hands find my tits, groping them bruisingly, setting my body on fire. I gasp against his lips, my arm wrapped around his toned shoulders, arching closer to him.

Our movements are frantic, unable to stop ourselves as our bodies crave each other's touch. His breath is uneven against my lips as I claw at his back, feeling the powerful muscles flex beneath my fingertips.

"Fuck, I can't get enough of you,. Just when I thought I had reached the depths of my fucking madness, you appeared, plunging me further into insanity." he snarls before completely pulling me away from the table again.

He walks a few steps before lowering me to my feet, our lips never leaving one another's. He suddenly snatches my throat, pushing me back until I crash against something at a slight angle. His hard body presses against mine, and my thighs part wider to let him grind against me. He grabs my wrist, lifting it until I feel something metal lock over it. I break away from the feral kiss abruptly, looking up to see my arm stretched and shackled. Before I can confront him, he takes the other, doing the same thing and my eyes flash to him, confused.

Realizing he has bound me to the swirling wheel, I stare at him in bewilderment. A small smirk twitches on his lips. "Do you trust me, Little Dolly?" he murmurs, a brow arched.

Still trying to catch my breath from sheer arousal, I give a small nod. "Yes," I manage to say.

Without hesitation, he steps back, tearing the rest of my bodysuit off me and tossing it aside, leaving me in just my fishnets, panties, and boots. He lifts the bottom of the wheel, tilting me further back. Then, he takes each of my legs, splitting them and buckling leather straps over them, locking me in place.

Hell steps back, his eyes roaming over my body with a mixture of lust and possession. His smirk deepens, letting his fingers trace lightly over my exposed skin, sending shivers through me. "You always look so pretty like this," he mutters, his voice dripping with dark satisfaction. "Bound, helpless, and all fucking mine to violate."

As his face grows more serious, he flicks out his knife, extending his hand to place it firmly against my throat. I raise my chin, our eyes locked in an unbroken stare. Slowly, he glides the blade down my neck, chest, over the curve of my breast, and stomach, sending tingles across my skin and stiffening my nipples.

When he presses the knife against my pussy, my breath hitches, and he glances down, hooking it between the strands of my fishnets. One by one, he cuts through the gaps, creating a larger hole.

As soon as he has access, he slips the blade beneath my panties at an angle, the cold metal threatening to slice my tender lips. With a swift movement, he cuts through the fabric like butter, but when he becomes dissatisfied, he reaches out, ripping the remnants from my body. His eyes lock onto mine, and with gentleness, he glides the knife between my slick folds. My breath gets caught in my throat, eyes widening.

When he withdraws, the blade glistens with wetness and he lifts it to his lips, dragging his tongue along the metal, his eyes closed and a soft moan escapes him, savouring my taste as if I am the most delicious thing that has ever graced his taste buds. My body responds to his danger, my core tightening with hunger, the ache for him to fuck me into oblivion unbearable.

"Hell, please…" I beg, my voice trembling with desperation.

His eyes, dark and swirling, snap open in an eerie manner, instantly colliding with mine.

He studies me, then shakes his head slowly, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Only if you're a good girl for me."

He turns away, his muscles rippling beneath his tattooed skin as he strides past the circus props, fingers lightly grazing over them as he contemplates. He stops and gathers three small, gleaming axes. I start to hyperventilate, each heartbeat louder than the last.

Suddenly, he storms back toward me, gripping the wheel and spinning it with force. I scream, the world blurring into a whirl of colours and through my disoriented vision, I see him step back, raising an axe.

"Hell!" I yell, my voice cracking with panic.

He ignores my plea, swinging his arm with power. The axe embeds itself with a solid thump into the wood between my legs, the rush of air kissing my exposed pussy. My thighs clench involuntarily, terror coursing through me.

A sinister chuckle escapes his lips as he launches another axe, the blade whistling past my head. I scream again, my hysteria echoing through the small room. The final axe lands with deadly accuracy beside my right breast, and I sag in relief, my breath coming in gasps for air. He approaches and stops the wheel abruptly. As I hang upright, my vision clears, and I fix him with a harsh glare, my mind still reeling.

"You fucking asshole!" I shout with outrage.

He bites his bottom lip, his eyes glittering with dark amusement, "I thought you trusted me?" he says while tilting his head to the side.

"It's hard to trust you when you don't tell me what you're going to do next. I need to be prepared," I reply, still panting.

He reaches up, softly brushing a strand of hair from my lashes. "Oh, my Little Dolly. When have I ever told you what the fuck I'm going to do next? Where's the fun in that?" His mouth hovers close to mine. "The more I fucking scare you, the wetter your precious cunt gets for me."

He drops to his knees suddenly and leans in with a predatory hunger. I watch as his tongue snakes out, tracing a slow, firm path up the slit of my pussy. Then, as if a switch flips, he becomes feral, devouring me with a greedy hunger. His mouth works so desperately that the sensation makes my muscles tense, and my moans fill the air as I close my eyes, lost in the overwhelming pleasure.

Suddenly, I feel the sharp edge of his blade on my pubic area and my eyes snap open, looking down at him. While sucking on my clit with a strength that borders on madness, the knife pierces deeply into my skin. I hiss, my eyes squeezing shut as I throw my head back. The blend of pain and pleasure is beautiful, and I pant heavily as he slowly carves into my skin.

When he seems to be finished, I look down at him once more through a daze, seeing my blood streaking down onto his painted face while he mauls my pussy violently. The word "HELL" is engraved into my skin, a claim of ownership. I want to say something, to yell at him for fucking branding me, but I can't. The way he eats my come and blood has screams ripping from my fucking throat continuously. His disgusting, depraved actions always turn me on in ways that should not be possible. In this very moment, I am in fact, entirely his and I'd proudly admit that.

Without warning, he withdraws, grabbing the bottom of the wheel and rotating me until I am hanging upside down. The world tilts, my pulse-pounding, as he unbuckles his belt, the metallic clink echoing in the room. He drags his zipper down and his hand disappears into his boxers before he frees his heavy, throbbing cock. He rubs the pierced tip over my lips, and I part them eagerly, my breath hitching as he growls, shoving himself deep into my throat.

As he begins to fuck my mouth with a slow, relentless rhythm, he lowers his head between my thighs, his tongue lashing out to eat my pussy with the same ferocity. Pressure rushes to my head as his thrusts grow stronger, ramming himself inside, and making me gag repeatedly. I feel my warm blood slowly streaking down my stomach from the wound as he gnaws on my clit, until he pulls back, leaving me swollen and pulsing for relief.

I notice him reach for a juggling pin beside him and then lift it. As he presses it against my wet entrance, my legs tense, and I try to speak around his cock, but he doesn't stop, of course. His thrusts in my mouth become rough, each one a punishing stroke, shutting me up as he eases the juggling pin inside my slippery pussy. The stretch is intense, a delicious agony, and he snarls, pushing slow and deep, each time pressing the pin further inside me. He fucks my face and screws my pussy with the pin, "Such greedy fucking holes," he bites out with frustration, showing how much he is enjoying his depravity.

Saliva, blood and come drip from me, mingling in a slick mess, and his movements grow savage. When I climax around the pin, my body convulses, and he slows down in my mouth, my loud cry vibrating around his cock, sending shivers through him.

He pulls the pin out, the sensation leaving me aching and empty, then drags his dick from my mouth, each of his piercings running across my tingling tongue. With a sudden spin, he turns me upright. As I gather my senses, I feel him unbuckling my legs, leaving me suspended by my arms. He stands, his menacing gaze trailing a heated path over my body, soaking in every inch until he is looming over me. He dips down, capturing my mouth with his in a savage kiss, our tongues battling with a fierce hunger.

Suddenly, he grabs me by the back of my thighs, lifting me with ease and wrapping my legs around his waist. Without breaking the kiss, he sinks his cock into my dripping pussy, the sensation causing me to moan loudly against his lips. He starts to fuck me with a harsh pace, his strong, ripped arms rising above us to grip the wheel for more leverage.

Each thrust is powerful and deep, spreading my legs wider beside him. My tits bounce against his chest, his breath warm against my lips, cut off by occasional kisses. When he starts to pound me into the wood, each stroke drives me closer to the edge, making me scream in ecstasy.

With one final, strong drive, he cum's inside me, the sensation making me come at the same time. My body shudders violently as we ride out the waves of our shared climax, his cock pulsing deep within me.

I rest my forehead against his shoulder, my body spent as his slows to a halt. He reaches over and releases each of my wrists, the restraints falling away with a small clink.

"Never trust me when it concerns me fucking you, but anything else, pretty girl, I've got you." He murmurs through heavy breaths before placing a hard kiss on the side of my head.

He lifts me further up his body effortlessly, my legs still wrapped around his waist, and I cling to him as he takes me toward the exit. As we leave the room, he throws a thick blanket over my almost naked body, and I snuggle against him.