Chapter Four

Silver

The second I turned off the shower, I knew I wasn't alone.

I couldn't explain it, but I felt it deep in my gut.

He was here.

He was in my new home, and I knew it.

Reaching for a towel, I quickly wrapped it around myself and took a deep breath, because I knew the second I left the bathroom, my life would change irrevocably. With all the courage I could muster, I quietly exited my bathroom to find all the lights off. He preferred the dark. So did I. It was one thing we had in common. Yet, something about the darkness terrified me tonight. I could feel his anger palpating around me, like the beat of a heart, getting stronger by the minute.

He was close.

Standing still, I closed my eyes and took another deep breath.

"Why are you here?"

"You know why."

Shaking my head, I sighed as my shoulders slumped.

He was right.

I did know why.

We had performed this long dance over the years, and now it was time to pay the piper. There was nothing stopping him now. The threat to me was over. I was free. Free of the binds that chained me. Free of the club, the brothers, the life that protected me. I knew the second I ventured out of the club that I had sealed my fate.

I wasn't stupid.

"You don't want this any more than I do."

"You're right. I don't."

"Do the others know?"

"No."

"They won't understand."

"Don't care."

"What do you care about?"

"Nothing."

Well, at least he was honest.

I guess in some way, I always knew my life had ended in the desert. I just never considered what that actually meant. While death eluded me that night, I didn't exactly comprehend the severity of my situation. The fact was, I traded one devil for another, and now it was time to pay up.

"And if I refuse?"

"We don't have a choice."

Sighing, I stood my ground.

He was right.

We never really had a choice. It was as if fate had set our lives on a course neither of us had any hope of avoiding. In a way, it was scary, already knowing what our lives would be like and that nothing we did could stop it. Yet, I found it comforting in a way, knowing my death began and ended with the very man who saved me that awful night.

Because I knew traveling down this path with him, there was only one ending for me. He would either save me from the darkness that lurked deep inside me or be the catalyst that finally destroyed me. Either way, there was no way either of us could deny what was about to happen.

"Say it," he demanded. The heat from his body scorched my backside as his breath sent goose bumps all over my body. It was now or never, and yet, not even God could stop me from saving myself.

"Say what?"

"Say the fucking words, Arianwen."

Squeezing my eyes shut, I whispered into the dark,

"Save me, Gideon."

The second I uttered his name, he aggressively pushed me against the wall. In a moment of fear and surprise, I let out a cry as his hand quickly covered my mouth. My breath caught in my throat when he roughly grabbed hold of my hair. His powerful grip causing me to gasp as he forcefully jerked my head backwards.

"If you scream, I will rip your hair right out of your head."

In the next instant, a searing, burning sting overwhelmed my senses. I heard my skin sizzle and burn as he pushed something into my shoulder. The pain was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It robbed me of the very air in my lungs, and my legs damn near buckled under me. Pressed against the wall by his overpowering weight, I fought in vain to bite his hand, feeling the desperation rise within me. As I struggled to free myself, my nails dug into his arms, drawing blood, fueling my determination to break away.

In the midst of his relentless assault, my cries grew louder as he mercilessly tugged at my hair, causing my neck to contort in unbearable agony. Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, he removed the object from my back.

Time seemed to stand still as I gasped for air, allowing him to effortlessly guide me around the room, eventually positioning me precisely where he desired.

He gave me no room to move.

I was his captive.

His prize.

His to do with as he saw fit.

With a sudden release of my hair, he swiftly propelled me forward, slamming me against the wall once again. I attempted to turn my head, but he acted quickly, forcefully stuffing a piece of cloth into my mouth, and tightly securing it with a knot behind my head.

His voice dripped with dominance when he sneered, "No safe word for you."

He effortlessly restrained my wrists above my head, his grip unwavering. With his left hand gripping my wrists, his right hand explored my breasts with an aggressive touch. I desperately tried to wriggle out of his hold, emitting muffled sounds of resistance through the gag, while he yanked away my towel, leaving me completely vulnerable. Cruel, biting fingers squeezed and tugged at my breast, causing me to let out a sharp cry. I tried to retaliate by kicking backwards; however, a sudden jolt of fear shot through me when his hand clamped tightly around my throat.

"Repeat that action and you'll soon discover the profound regret that awaits you."

With each passing second, my lightheadedness intensified, and so did his grip.

"Put your hands against the wall," he commanded, his voice firm and authoritative, as he released my wrists.

I did as I was told.

"And don't you dare even consider moving them," he warned, his tone stern and commanding. With his hand still wrapped around my throat, he loosened his grip slightly, allowing me to breathe and preventing me from losing consciousness.

With a firm touch, he ran his hand along the length of my inner thighs, igniting a wave of pleasure that surged from my center to the curve of my buttocks. The heat of his breath matched the intensity of his growl on my skin, sending a wave of intense and unusual pleasure through me.

As I attempted to push off the wall with my hands, the sensation of his grip tightening around my throat made me freeze in fear. I made him furious, and in response, he forcefully penetrated me with two fingers. His laughter echoed throughout the room when he discovered me soaked.

"The moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you would to be mine."

His fingers moved in and out of me with an unyielding intensity as I stood against the wall, my hands braced for support, and tears streaming down my face.

I hated my body for reacting to such rough treatment, but it was what it knew—all it had ever known.

I knew I'd never be able to have a normal relationship.

I wouldn't know what to do with one.

Despite everything, I couldn't shake off the revulsion that seeped into my very being, as my body thirsted for his twisted desires.

The moment his fingers let go, the unmistakable sound of his zipper echoed in my ears. He released his grip on my throat and swiftly grabbed hold of my shoulders. Using his strength, he pulled me away from the wall, and with a firm grip, pushed my chest forward, causing me to bend at the waist in a rather uncomfortable position.

"Make a single move and you'll regret it," he hissed, landing a forceful slap on my backside, leaving a burning sensation in its wake. It was a familiar sensation; one I knew all too well. The burn served as a constant reminder of the challenges I had overcome and provided insight into what my future might hold. There was a certain level of comfort in knowing what I would face, in a way.

My startled yelp filled the room as his hands roughly seized my hips, the force of his unexpected thrust causing me to unintentionally slam my head against the wall. His laughter reverberated through the room while he grabbed my hair again, causing a sharp jolt of pain. The sensation intensified as he penetrated me deeply and rapidly, his grunts punctuating each powerful thrust. He was relentless in his endeavors to seal himself to me for all time.

"You are mine," he growled while he deliberately pumped his cock deep into me. Releasing my hair, he reached around me to pinch my nipples as he continued to thrust into me.

"Say the fucking words, Arianwen, before I really punish you."

I shook my head and tried to tell him to fuck off, but the gag hindered my words. He slapped my ass again before gripping my waist, his fingers digging deep into my skin. The intense sensation of his right hand rubbing vigorously against my throbbing clit only served to accentuate and heighten his relentless thrusts.

The onslaught of my impending orgasm was overwhelming, as I desperately tried to suppress my moans against the damp material of the gag. I shut my eyes tightly, striving to escape the reality of the moment; however, a sudden, intense pinch on my nipple shattered my concentration. The combination of pain and pleasure overwhelmed me, causing me to cry out and my legs to quiver in response to the sensations coursing through my body.

With a laugh, he leaned in closer, his grip returning and tightening on my hair, forcing my head to tilt back.

"Your body doesn't lie."

With a powerful thrust, he brought our bodies together, his hand gripping my waist tightly. His lips released a guttural sound while he climaxed, the intensity of his longing leaving a profound impact on my senses. He stayed like that for a moment, then abruptly withdrew from me, leaving me feeling empty and used.

He muttered something incoherent before he disappeared into my bathroom.

The sensation of his cum running down my thigh overwhelmed me, and I crumbled to the floor, hands frantic to remove the gag. I used it to erase the evidence of his presence between my legs, desperately wanting to feel clean again. As soon as the cloth made contact with my sensitive clit, I instinctively flinched. Looking at the cloth, it didn't surprise me to see our juices mixed with my blood. It had been ten years since anyone had touched me. Yet, when he walked back into the room naked, rubbing his hardened dick, I sat there in utter silence as he released his cock and sucked his bloody fingers into his mouth.

And when he smiled, I wasn't sure what I felt.

Violated, disgusted... horny.

All I knew was that I belonged to the Devil himself.

Standing in front of the mirror, I stared at the image looking back at me. Everywhere I looked, I saw him, from the bruising around my hips, arms and thighs, to the distinctive handprint around my throat.

He'd left no inch of me untouched.

He was relentless, uncaring, merciless in his endeavors.

A starved animal, uncaring of anything but sating his hunger. He used my body repeatedly until he passed out from his own ministrations. I was nothing more than a vessel for his depraved tendencies, and I wasn't sure I would survive him.

Flinching, I stifled a cry when I slightly turned to see the angry brand on my shoulder.

His mark.

Resting my hands on the counter, I hung my head.

It was done.

I sealed the deal with the Devil in blood.

There was nothing I could do.

I belonged to him.

Try as I might, I couldn't stop the tears from streaming down my face when I heard a gasp. Looking up, I found Linsey standing in shock as she gawked at me.

"Silver?"

Gasping, I whimpered, "Help me."

Rushing to me, Linsey held me while I cried. I didn't know what else to do. I cried for a life that was no longer my own. A life that I would never have. Mainly, I cried for my inability to deny him what he craved.

I wondered what that made me.

Was I more like him than I thought? So depraved and twisted that my desire mirrored his? Were we drawn to each other by the sickness that had ahold of us?

"Baby, who did this to you?"

Shaking my head, I said nothing.

Instead, I turned, showing her my back.

Her gasp said everything.

"Oh God," she muttered. "That's a Soulless Sinner brand on your back. A brother did this to you?"

I simply nodded, unable to say his name.

Shaking her head, she took a step back. "No."

"Inevitable."

"Not without your consent, it wasn't. Did you give him permission to do this to you? To brand you?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does," Linsey said firmly. "Because if you didn't agree, you need to tell Montana immediately. If you don't, I will, Silver. I mean it."

Shaking my head, I panicked. Grabbing my throat, ignoring the pain, I whispered, "Please don't. It will only make him angrier. Right now, he's still grappling with everything. I am too. I don't think neither of us wanted this, but our past decided it for us. We need time, Linsey. Please give us that before you alert the others."

Linsey slowly shook her head. "Baby, I can't keep this a secret. You are black and blue from head to toe. What are you going to tell Montana when he sees you at work? You can't hide the bruises and that brand looks bad. Bane needs to see it and prescribe you antibiotics before it gets infected."

I begged. "Please help me. Please keep my secret."

"At least let me call Tessa. She can prescribe you the antibiotics and bandage up that wound."

I shook my head. No one else could know. It was bad enough Linsey knew. If the others knew, all hell would break loose, and right now, I just wanted to find a way to move past what happened.

Sighing, Linsey looked around my bathroom.

"Fine. I will run to the pharmacy and get supplies, and I will do what I can, but you better think of what to tell Montana, because when he sees you, he won't think twice before killing Malice. Brother or not, Malice is a dead man."

She was right.

Montana would lose his shit when he saw me. The only thing I had in my favor was that he'd given me the weekend off to enjoy my new home. Maybe if I feigned being sick, that would give my body more time to heal? The second I thought of it, I knew it wouldn't work. Montana treated me like Tessa and York. As soon as I told him I wasn't feeling well, he'd send Bane over, demanding to fix what was wrong. The man didn't give two shits about personal space with those he claimed.

And make no mistake.

He claimed me long before Malice ever did.

No. I had to come up with something that he would believe. Something that wouldn't warrant a full-on barrage of the brothers. Something that I could pull off.

"Silver!"

Speak of the Devil himself.

My head whipped to Linsey's as her eyes widened.

"Oh God," I whispered.

Linsey moved fast, turning on the shower.

"Get in and stay in there. I will tell Montana you started your period. That you're cramping badly. That should make him leave fast. I'll leave with him, then head to the pharmacy. I'll be back when I have everything."

Nodding, I stepped under the spray, quickly covering my mouth, muffling the scream that threatened to erupt when the hot water hit my brand.

Later, wrapped in a soft white robe, I sat on my bed, and stared at the clock, counting the minutes until Linsey returned. She'd been gone for an hour now, and I wondered how long it took her to buy some Neosporin and some bandages.

I knew not to leave the bedroom. Not with the cameras in the main living area. The second I did, Pippen would see me and alert Montana and the others.

I was a captive in my own home.

Something I was all too familiar with.

For years, Petrovitch held me captive in a hell not of my making. This time, I only had myself to blame. Before, I knew when to expect punishment. Now, it was anyone's guess. There was no manual to read from. No note to warn me when he would return. Because he would return. That much, I knew, as sure as the sun rose in the east and set in the west.

Watching the minutes tick by, my mind swirled dark with images of him last night.

I didn't understand how he could do what no one else could.

One look, one whisper, one touch. I surrendered to him.