Chapter 43

Slater looks up from his books as I approach, a mixture of surprise and confusion flickering in his eyes. Exhaustion is etched in every line of his face, dark circles under his eyes betraying the restless nights he’s also been suffering. Books are spread out around him on the table, and his clothes from last night are crumpled, like he finished his shift at the bar and then came straight here to spend the night pouring over his studies. A pang of guilt hits me in the chest, but I swallow it down, then I see there’s something else there in his eyes too, a guarded look that sends a chill down my spine.

“Oh, Cora, hey,” he greets me warily, setting his pen down on the table. “What are you doing here so early?”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation that’s about to unfold. I push down the questions I want to ask about why he didn’t come home last night and instead try to focus on the reason I sought him out in the first place.

“We need to talk,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside me.

Slater’s brow furrows in concern as he leans back in his chair, studying me intently. “Is everything okay?” he asks, a note of apprehension creeping into his tone.

I hesitate for a moment, unsure of how to broach the subject of the gun hidden in his closet. But then suddenly I can”t hold back any longer. “I found it,” I blurt out, my words hanging heavy in the air between us.

His eyes widened slightly, a flicker of realization crossing his features before he schooled his expression into a mask of neutrality. “Found what?” he asks innocently, though I can see the tension coiled beneath the surface. How dare he lie to me, play dumb, make me feel like I’m crazy.

“The gun, Slater,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why do you have a gun hidden in your closet?”

Slater’s gaze hardens as he meets my eyes, a thousand unspoken emotions swirling in their depths. For a moment, there’s only silence between us, then he jumps to his feet, grabs me by the arm, and drags me along the towering stacks of books.

“Keep your voice down!” he hisses.

Sure the campus library is open twenty-four seven, but it’s barely six in the morning, there’s no one around to overhear us.

Slater”s grip on my arm is firm, almost bruising, as he pulls me into a more secluded corner of the library. His eyes are ablaze with a mixture of anger and something else, something darker that I can”t quite decipher. I try to pull away, but his hold tightens, grounding me in place.

“Cora, you need to trust me,” he growls through clenched teeth, his voice low and urgent. “I can”t explain everything right now, but you have to believe that I would never put you in harm”s way.”

His words send a shiver down my spine, the intensity of his gaze piercing through me. There’s conflict in his eyes, a turmoil of emotions that he”s struggling to contain. And despite the fear creeping into my heart, a part of me still yearns to trust in him, to believe that there”s a reason behind his actions.

“Why won”t you tell me the truth, Slater?” I demand, my voice wavering with a mix of defiance and desperation. “I found a gun in your closet, for god”s sake! How can I trust you if you keep such secrets from me?”

Slater”s jaw tightens as he releases my arm, taking a step back as if physically distancing himself from the situation. His hands clench into fists at his sides, his expression haunted yet determined.

“I never wanted you to find that,” he admits quietly, his voice laced with regret. “But there are things...things you don”t understand. I”ll do whatever it takes to protect you, Cora. Even if it means keeping secrets.”

The weight of his words hangs heavy in the air between us, the truth of his declaration settling like a stone in my stomach. Despite the fear and uncertainty swirling inside me, there’s a flicker of understanding in his eyes that tugs at my heart. I want to believe him, to trust that he has our best interests at heart, but the sight of that gun still lingers in the back of my mind, a stark reminder of the shadows lurking beneath the surface of our relationship.

“I need more than just empty promises, Slater,” I say, my voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and longing. “I need to know that I can trust you, completely and without reservation. That you’re not just going to abandon me and disappear again.”

“You can trust me, Cora. I will protect you.”

“Can I though?” I demand, hating how my voice cracks with emotion and tears form in my eyes. “Are you just protecting me because you think of me as a burden? Is everything you said a lie, am I just your stepsister, Slater?”

“I”m sorry, Cora. I never meant to make you feel that way,” Slater says, his voice softening as he reaches out to touch my arm, his eyes pleading for understanding. “I know I haven”t been the best at expressing myself, but please don”t doubt how much you mean to me.”

Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as I look into his earnest gaze, the warmth of his touch soothing the turmoil raging inside me. Despite the shadows of doubt lingering in my heart, there”s a flicker of hope reigniting as I see the vulnerability in his eyes, raw and unguarded.

Slater’s lips crash against mine in a whirlwind of emotion and desire. He fists my hair, pulling me closer so that he can deepen the kiss, and all the doubts and fears that had clouded my mind seem to fade away. His kiss is fierce, passionate, a storm of conflicting emotions that leaves me breathless and wanting more. In this moment, there is no gun hidden in his closet, no secrets between us, only the raw intensity of our connection burning bright like a wildfire spreading through me at an alarming rate.

I melt into his touch, my hands reaching up to tangle in his shirt. The weight of his body against mine sends a shiver of anticipation down my spine.

Slater’s hands roam over my body with a desperate need, igniting a desperate hunger within me. Our kisses grow deeper, more heated, as if trying to convey all the unspoken words and emotions that have passed between us.

He slips his hand under my hoodie - his hoodie - and caresses the bare skin on my stomach. Butterflies take flight in my belly, and I moan as I press my hips into his, silently begging for more.

Slater freezes.

He pulls away and, unable to meet my gaze, mutters, “I can’t do this. I’m sorry, Cora. I…can’t.”

“What?”

“I…can’t do it. I want you, I do. But I can’t do this.”

Anger washes over me like a cold shower. All of those feelings of lust, of happiness, of hope that we may just be okay are doused out with his words.

“You have to stop pulling away from me, Slater,” I plead, before steeling my spine, standing up straight, and folding my arms over my chest to push him away. “Either be my boyfriend in every way, or go back to treating me like a little sister… No, not like a little sister, like an ex-stepsister. Because that’s what I am.”

Slater stares at me with a mixture of shock and resignation, his chest rising and falling with the unspoken weight of my ultimatum. I see the internal struggle playing out in his eyes, the battle between his desire for me and the secrets he holds close to his heart. For a moment, the tension between us crackles like electricity, the air heavy with unspoken words.

“What are you saying, Cora?” Slater’s voice is an angry whisper, his eyes locked onto mine. “I can’t just turn my feelings off like a switch, but I can’t...I can’t ignore the danger that’s out there.”

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I meet his gaze. “Then we’re done, Slater. If you can’t treat me like a real girlfriend, then let me go.”

His eyes widen in surprise, panic flaring for a split second before anger and frustration take over.

He steps closer, caging me in against the stacks with an arm on either side of my head, and my pulse increases even as I swallow nervously.

I’m excited. I like this dark and dangerous side of Slater.

He grabs me roughly and swallows my protests as he slams his lips into mine hard enough to bruise. I let out a whimper, unable to contain my arousal at the intensity of his kiss.

Slater’s lips moved down my neck, trailing hot, wet kisses, his teeth grazing my sensitive skin. My heart races, my breath hitching as he presses his body against mine, his erection rock hard and obvious.

“How can you doubt how much I want you, Cora?” he growls between hot and urgent kisses.

His hands are rough and urgent as they trace the curve of my waist, pulling me closer. I can feel his heart racing against my own, a wild and untamed beast thrumming beneath the surface.

I stare up at him, lost in his eyes as he searches my face for an answer. I want to say I believe him, that I trust him, but the truth is I’m still so scared.

Instead of responding, I grab his face, my fingers sinking into the rough stubble that lines his jaw. I pulled his lips back to mine, deeper and more passionate than before. I need him, need the connection between us, need to forget about the danger and the secrets and the lies for just a moment.

I want him to forget too.

Slater groans, his hands tangling in my hair as he kisses me back with a fierceness that sends my pulse skyrocketing. His lips trail down my neck once more, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

“I’ll protect you, Cora,” he promises, his voice deep and husky. “I’ll keep you safe, no matter what it takes.”

I believe him. I know that he’ll do whatever it takes to keep me safe, that he’ll fight for me with everything he has. That was never the issue.

“Show me,” I gasp, imploring him to continue. “Show me you lo—like me this way.”

Slater’s hands are sure and unyielding as they reach under into my leggings, his fingers brushing against the delicate fabric of my underwear. I gasp at the sudden intimacy, the intensity of the moment sending shivers down my spine.

Pushing my underwear aside, his fingers trace the folds of my entrance, a slow and deliberate exploration that leaves me breathing heavily.

“Are you sure about this?” he growls, his breath hot against my ear.

“Yes,” I whisper, my body trembling with anticipation. “I want this so badly.”

With that, he buries two fingers inside me, thrusting hard and fast as I cry out in pleasure. The sensation is overwhelming, a violent storm of intensity that thrusts me onto the path of my orgasm.

His fingers move in and out of me, his thumb finding my aching clit and rubbing it in circles. The sensation is too much, my body writhing against his hand as he brings me closer and closer to the edge.

I can feel the pressure building, a tsunami of pleasure threatening to overwhelm me. I clutch at the bookshelves for support, my nails digging into the wooden surfaces as I moan his name.

Finally, I can’t take it anymore. He slants his mouth over mine, and I scream his name into his kiss, my body convulsing as the orgasm rips through me. My hips buck against his hand, a violent release that leaves me panting.

Breathing just as ragged as me, Slater unzips his fly and frees his cock, fisting and pumping it angrily. With his other hand, he roughly drags my leggings and underwear down my legs, notching himself at my entrance. With one swift thrust, he seats himself fully inside me, and I cry out in pained pleasure. Slater turns to stone, a cuss falling from his lips. I smile at him, pull him closer, silently encourage him to continue.

He snarls at me and pulls away, scrubbing a hand over his face and through his hair. He pulls up his jeans and rights himself, while leaving me a panting mess against the stacks.

What just happened? What did I do wrong?

“Do not push me like this again, Cora,” he warns. “You won’t like the outcome if you do. And I won’t let anyone manipulate me anymore. Not even the girl I love.”

My heart sinks at Slater’s warning, but I know he’s right. I did push him to the edge, and if I’m not careful, I could lose him completely.

“I won’t,” I whisper softly, but he’s already gone without a backward glance.

Later,as I’m lying in bed, crying myself to sleep and feeling like the worst human in the world, I think maybe I made a mistake.

No, I know I did.

It may just turn out to be the biggest mistake of my life.

As the hours tick by, Slater never comes home.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, as I cry into my pillow. “I’m so, so sorry.”

“Why are you sorry, Cora?” a distorted voice asks. A familiar voice. I gasp, sitting up in bed, and swiping the tears from my eyes.

“How are you here?” I whisper, as I stare at him, eyes wide, and heart racing.

“You have been a disgusting, fucking bitch. A conniving little slut…” He takes one step toward me, and I move out from under the blanket, scooting back. “You deserve to be punished for your behavior. Severely.”

I shake my head, moving to the other side of the bed, my feet hitting the floor with a soft thud.

“Admit it, Cora. Admit what a fucking whore you are. How desperate you are for cock,” he growls, walking toward me slowly. There’s an air about him. A new level of…danger? No…violence. Pure fucking violence is radiating off of him. He’s practically vibrating with it.

I suck in soft gasps of air.

“Get on your fucking knees,” my masked man hisses, but I’m in shock, either from seeing him here or his words. Or maybe it’s the hatred in his distorted voice.

Does he know I fucked Slater? Does he know how I manipulated Slater into fucking me?

He moves in a flash, his hand wrapping around my throat suddenly.

“I said, get on your fucking knees!”

He uses his hold on me to shove me down, my knees connecting with the carpeted floor so hard that I cry out from the pain. He uses his free hand, shoving it into my hair and yanks it back.

“I was going to choke you on my cock, but I don’t think you deserve to taste my cum.”

He lifts me, my feet dangling, as I’m slammed into the wall with so much force that my vision swims.

I groan in pain, but the masked man doesn’t care. His grip on my neck remains firm. My mouth pops open, as I stare into the eyes of the mask. The soulless black void. I can’t breathe. I claw at his wrists, my heart pounding, as my vision starts to go dark, I scramble for the mask, but my hands are weak.

Everything fades.

When I wake, I’m confused. Disoriented.

“I’m going to turn this pretty pale ass black and blue,” he warns, and I blink.

Wait, where am I? Who said that?

Looking over my shoulder, as my head pounds, I see the masked man. My heart rate goes into overdrive, and I gasp. I’m completely naked, and I can’t move. He stands beside me, and he’s got me secured to the end of the bed. Bent in half. Arms secured over my head, legs held open by ropes around my ankles, which are probably strapped to the bed somewhere.

The searing pain comes without warning. Once, twice, three times. I gasp for air. The pain is unlike anything I have ever felt.

He drags a leather belt down my cheek, through my tears.

“Does it hurt?” he asks, and I nod.

The initial pain is fading, but it leaves behind a constant ache.

“Good. Now scream for me.”

The belt slashes against my flesh over and over, and I scream until I’m hoarse, and my throat feels bloody.

After the seventh, I start to lose count.

I’m crying, no, sobbing. Tears fall down my cheeks, and snot clogs my nose.

“Scream, Cora.” Hit. “Scream for me.” Another…and then I scream again, the sound like nothing I’ve ever heard before. This one is guttural, and rips from my throat. I scream for what feels like minutes or even hours, but is probably only seconds.

“Dirty fucking sluts get punished,” he snarls.

My legs are released. Then my hands. He drags me up the bed, and then reties me to the headboard. This time, I’m on my back and my ass smarts against the covers. I thought the bedding was soft, but on my shredded raw skin, it feels like sandpaper now.

I think the torture is over.

But I’m so wrong.

“Since you don’t deserve to choke on my cock, you can gag on this.”

A ball gag that barely fits in my mouth is shoved between my teeth, secured tightly behind my head. He’s not gentle as he wrenches my head back and forth by my hair, and it’s silly that it hurts more than my ass, but the prickling sensation in my scalp brings tears to my eyes.

His gloved hand caresses my puckered nipple.

“You’re turned on, even after all that?” he asks, and I turn my head away, trying to hide my reddening cheeks.

Something cold, with teeth, clamps over one nipple, then the other. I gasp around the gag, my back arching. He pinches the clamps, squeezing them even tighter so that the small metal teeth dig into my sensitive flesh and I squeal, though no sound really makes it out beyond the gag.

With a tilt of his head, he regards me for a moment, then pulls out a small device that looks like it might be a vibrator of some kind, but it”s shaped like a skinny ‘U’. I’ve never seen a toy like it before, but it doesn’t look too bad. At least it’s small.

“Look how fucking wet you are. Your greedy cunt is dripping. Look at you soaking the blankets, you fucking slut.” His words make me whimper, but as he thrusts the sex toy inside me, it starts to vibrate. Intensely.

Just then, an intense…warming sensation heats my clit. My hips jerk, as the masked man adjusts the vibrator and it settles over my sensitive flesh.

“That”s just the stimulant gel kicking in. You’re going to come until you fucking pass out, and then I’m going to fuck you unconscious.” His violent promise has me nodding frantically. “That’s what you want, isn’t it, my little cum slut?”

Next thing I know, a sharp slap stings against my tit, and I look up as the masked man smacks me with a…riding crop? What the fuck?

“Let’s turn these pretty tits the same color as your ass.”

More hits rain down on my chest, each impact making the nipple clamps bite harder, but it’s bearable…perhaps because I can see what’s happening this time?

The skin turns pink, then red, and then it becomes too painful to watch.

I close my eyes and look away, needing the double distance from this hell.

The masked man turns away from me, and I risk peeking at him. He grabs something out of sight, and turns back around…with a gun in his hand.

A revolver.

My eyes go wide, and my heart pounds harder than ever.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no please.

I frantically shake my head. I don’t want this. How do I make him stop?

He uses his free hand to press down on my clit, and the sudden pressure makes my hips jerk. I whimper. I’m so close to coming, but the gun is so distracting. Terrifying. I can’t come.

“What if I fuck your ass with this?” I shake my head again until my brain rattles, and I see stars, begging him with my eyes and silent tears not to do this.

He chuckles, pulls the hammer back, and holds it to my forehead.

“Let”s play a game.”

He drags the gun down the bridge of my nose, and I’m reminded of the night I met him.

Oh, how things have changed…

How I’ve changed.

He undoes the gag, pulling the ball out, but quickly replaces it with the gun before I can react. My jaw aches, but the discomfort is pushed aside as I focus on the weapon protruding from my mouth.

“Suck it.”

I do as he says, my eyes watering as he shoves it into the back of my throat. I gag, my throat constricting around it as saliva leaks from my lips.

He holds it there, right at the back of my throat until I can’t breathe, and I’m writhing in my bonds as panic sets in.

Suddenly, he yanks it free, moving between my spread legs. He pushes something on the vibrator, and the buzzing intensifies. I’m distracted by the pleasure, until I feel wet metal at my back entrance. Probing. Pushing.

I lift my head as much as I can, the metal chain connecting one nipple clamp to the other shakes with my movement, and the ache there is nothing compared to the feeling of the masked man shoving the tip of the gun into my ass.

“No!” I cry out from the pain, but it only encourages him.

One quick shove, and it’s inside me. Not far, but far enough that it fucking hurts, and I hate it.

He thrusts it in and out, his other hand pressing down and pinching my clit, and I come. HARD. Screaming once more.

“You didn’t deserve that…” he hisses, slapping my inner thigh so hard I howl in pain. Then he does it again. And again. He reaches up and releases one clamp suddenly, and the rush of pain is so fucking intense that I scream until my ears ring…

I want to scream his name.

“I don’t think you understand the severity of the situation you’re in. So let’s begin the game.”

I watch, as he places his finger over the trigger of the gun still in my ass, and pulls it. The slam of the hammer makes me jump.

Tears fill my eyes, fear steals my breath. What is he doing? This isn’t fun. Isn’t exciting. Why have I been missing him? Why have I been craving his depravity, his violence? This isn’t…it isn’t anything other than horrific. I can’t do this.

“Are you scared to die, little slut?” he asks, and I nod, unable to speak through the tears I’m weeping.

I want to live.

He pulls it out of me and raises it before my face.

The wet gun, dripping with my cum where I came so hard I squirted and it leaked down onto my ass, is pressed to my forehead once more. I tremble, my breath comes in pained snatches. My chest is tight. My vision is blurry with more than just tears.

I’m petrified.

“There’s a single bullet loaded.” I watch as he spins the barrel, and an ache starts in my heart.

Will he really risk killing me? What did I do? Does he know about Slater? He must. But how? Was he watching us? Why has it enraged him? Is it because he thinks I’m his?

“I’ve thought about this, you know. Putting this gun to your head, and pulling the trigger.” He emphasizes his words by doing just that. I scream again, my fear a living, breathing thing now, despite the buzzing between my legs still going. “And then putting it to my temple, and pulling it one final time.”

I watch as he lifts the gun to his head, the image something I’ll never forget. The mask staring back at me.

I scream, lurching forward toward him uselessly because I’m still tied down.

“No!” I cry, more desperate and frantic than ever, as he pulls the trigger again. My heart is in my throat, my blood screaming in my ears.

Then the bang is the only sound I hear as everything goes black.