Chapter 9

The following morning, I am roused by the unfamiliar sound of a ringing phone, prompting me to sit up in surprise. The abrupt silence that follows is broken by the appearance of Killian in the common area, his cellphone pressed to his ear. Walking up to the window, he murmurs into the device, pulling the blind aside to peer outside.

Completing his call, Killian returns to the bedroom and gently nudges Damon and then Rayth, whispering urgently to each of them. They silently get up and exit the room. Killian turns to me, his expression serious. ”We need to go out for a few hours, angel.”

Concerned, I look at him, uncertain about the lack of details. ”Can”t one of you stay with me?”

Killian”s gaze softens slightly and he brushes the backs of his fingers against my cheek. “No, Angel.”

Damon and Rayth return to the room, now dressed, their expressions carrying the weight of whatever is happening. Rayth points towards the door, his tone firm. ”We will lock it behind us, don”t let anyone in. We all have keys, so only those who belong here can enter.”

Damon approaches me, placing a small handgun in my hands. ”You know how to use it. Keep it with you,” he says, his gaze unwavering. ”We”ll be back, precious.”

With that, they leave the room, and I hear the distinct click of the door locking behind them. I sit there, the weight of the gun in my hands a stark reminder of the unfamiliar world I stumbled into.

Blinking, I survey the space around me, surprised at how suddenly I find myself alone. This solitude, however, feels different from the isolation of my past. It feels like a lifetime ago when I was alone, chained in a room, hoping my stepfather would be too drunk to rape me.

The memories of that dark time linger in the corners of my mind, but my life now feels vastly different. I am not a helpless victim anymore.

Getting up, I decide to make the most of the situation. I prepare myself some breakfast, taking my time to savor the simple act of self-sufficiency. Cleaning up after myself, I feel a sense of normalcy, a stark departure from the horrors I had endured before meeting these men.

I explore the cabin again but nothing new catches my interest, so I turn my attention to the bookcase. As I peruse the titles, one catches my eye—When Sinners Play. The cover promises intrigue, and the blurb on the back suggests a thrilling read.

However, as I turn away from the bookcase, a sudden gasp catches in my throat. The book slips from my fingers and hits the floor at the sight of my stepfather standing inside the cabin.

Fear, like a chilling wind, sweeps over me. The once-familiar nightmare invades my newfound sanctuary. My heart races, and I stumble backward, grappling with the shock of his unexpected presence.

A wicked grin twists his lips as he steps toward me. Panic surges, and I turn, bolting toward the kitchen bench where the gun lies. His laughter echoes behind me as he chases after me, his footsteps thundering in my ears.

Just before my fingers can make contact with the cool metal of the gun, his hand latches onto my hair, yanking me down with brutal force. I cry out as I crash to the floor, the pain shooting through my skull.

I grit my teeth against the pain, refusing to let the familiar terror consume me.

My hands claw desperately at his suit jacket, tearing at the fabric with a raw intensity. Buttons fly off, and the jacket opens, revealing a hidden gun holster and weapon. Hope surges within me as I see the means to defend myself.

But before I can grasp the gun, his hands close around my throat, cutting off my breath. Panic sets in as he shakes me violently, my vision blurring. Determination fuels my struggle as I reach for the gun, fingers stretching desperately toward the weapon that holds the promise of salvation.

Realizing my intent, he throws me away with a force that sends me sprawling. I land close to the kitchen bench where the gun the guys left for me lies, and a surge of adrenaline pushes me to my feet. Ignoring the pain, I lunge for the gun, gripping it with trembling hands.

Without hesitation, I turn and aim the gun at him, my finger squeezing the trigger instinctively. A click echoes through the room, but nothing happens. Dread washes over me as I fumble to understand why the gun doesn”t fire. In that moment of confusion, he advances on me, his expression darkening with fury.

I pull the trigger again, another click. Panic sets in as he reaches me, backhanding me with brutal force. I sprawl to the ground, the gun flying from my hands. Disoriented, I try to gather my senses, but when I turn back toward him, he has his own gun aimed at my face.

His laughter, malicious and mocking, fills the room. ”Did you really think it would be that easy, Everly?” he sneers.

He motions for me to get up, and he herds me further away from where the other gun landed. I comply, keeping a wary eye on the weapon he holds. He comes to stand in front of me, the gun still trained on me.

A cold smile plays on his lips. ”Have you been enjoying yourself?” he asks. When I don”t respond, he taunts, ”What”s the matter, Everly? Did they not make it at least a little enjoyable for you?”

Dread starts to creep in, and I can feel my chest tighten as his words seep into my consciousness. ”I know they can be brutal assholes, especially Killian,” he continues, his voice dripping with contempt. ”But I would have thought you might have actually enjoyed being used like a little cum slut. It’s what you so desperately wanted wasn’t it? When you went chasing those boys at college?”

His vulgar words cut through me like a knife, and doubt begins to consume me. The mention of Killian”s name has my heart galloping erratically in my chest, and I feel a sudden surge of vulnerability. A million thoughts race through my mind.

As I grapple with these conflicting emotions, a realization strikes me. Rayth had explicitly said that no one could get inside the cabin unless they belonged there. The implication hits me like a sledgehammer—my stepfather somehow belongs here.

His laughter echoes around the cabin when he sees the doubt and hurt on my face. The sinister sound fuels my unease. ”Oh, precious little Everly,” he sneers, ”You actually thought you were special? They already knew you were coming. You were their reward for all their hard work for my Order, my company if you will.”

I glance around the cabin, the walls feel like they”re closing in on me. Doubt gnaws at the edges of my consciousness as I look back at him.

His eyes bore into mine, relishing the turmoil that churns within me. ”They”re mine, Everly,” he sneers. ”Contract killers, doing my bidding. Did you really think they were here for you? They were here for me, my loyal dogs.”

The pieces of conversations, the unanswered questions, all fall into place like a cruel puzzle. My escape, the tender moments with Damon, Rayth, and Killian, everything is orchestrated. I am just a pawn, a toy, a bargaining chip for my stepfather to use whenever he pleases.

A sense of nauseating realization washes over me. The warmth, the kindness—they are all a fa?ade. I am nothing more than a plaything, a source of amusement for the very people I foolishly believed would help and protect me.

He circles me, a predator enjoying the distress of its prey. ”How does it feel, Everly?” he taunts, his voice dripping with malice. ”To be used like a sex toy by a bunch of psycho killers. Did you enjoy their touch, their lies?”

Tears fill my eyes and I struggle to find my voice, my mind a chaotic whirlwind of emotions. ”You”re lying,” I whisper, the words barely audible.

He leans in, his face inches from mine, the malevolence in his gaze unwavering. ”Am I, Everly? Look around you. Do you really think it”s a coincidence that they aren”t here right now? They left on my orders. I called and told them that their time with you was over, and to leave for the next job I gave them.”

A sob escapes me and I shake my head, not wanting to believe him, yet at the same time everything is now starting to make sense.

I can hear him laughing again, and the sound is tearing at my insides.

“Stupid little slut,” he sneers.

Pain explodes in my head as he delivers a swift, brutal blow to my head with the gun. Darkness envelops me, a merciful escape from the cruel reality that has been revealed.