1. Kali

1

KALI

A rough hand on my shoulder jolts me from sleep. My eyes snap open to see Matias looming over me, his dark eyes glinting in the dim light of our cell. My friends are still sleeping soundly.

"Get up," he growls, yanking me to my feet. I stagger, my heart pounding.

Where is he taking me?

Matias drags me out of the cell, his grip on my arm painfully tight. I glance back at my sleeping friends, a pang of fear striking my chest. I wish I could wake them and beg for their help, but I know they can't help me.

We move through the dim, concrete hallways. My bare feet slap against the cold floor as I struggle to keep up with Matias's long strides. I try to calm my racing thoughts and focus on putting one foot before the other.

Suddenly, Matias shoves me through a doorway into a small, sparse room. I stumble, barely catching myself before I fall. My eyes dart around, taking in the sparse furnishings—a bed, a table, a single chair.

Matias closes the door behind us, locking it with an ominous click. I back away, my heart pounding in my ears. "What do you want?" I ask.

He advances, his expression unreadable. "You," he says.

What is he going to do to me? I glance toward the door, wondering if I could make a break for it, but I know it's futile. Matias is bigger and stronger. He would catch me easily.

Slowly, Matias reaches out and trails a finger down my cheek. I flinch at his touch, my skin crawling. "Don't be afraid," he coaches. "I'm not going to hurt you."

I want to believe him, but the predatory look in his eyes tells a different story. I brace myself, knowing I can't stop whatever happens next.

"My beautiful rabbit," he murmurs, moving closer. The nickname makes my heart skip a beat, as it's so odd. "Do you know what you do to me?" He bares his teeth. "Why are you so different?"

I've got no idea what he's talking about. All I know is I need to get away from him.

"I-I don't know what you mean," I stammer, hating how weak I sound.

Matias steps closer, his dark eyes burning into mine. "Don't play dumb with me," he growls,tracing my jawline with calloused fingers.

I resist the urge to pull away, knowing it will only worsen things.

"You're different," he says. "There's something about you that calls to me." His hand moves down, skimming along the curve of my neck.

I swallow hard, my mind racing as I stand before this psychopath. All I want is to find an escape. My fingers twitch as I glance at the door, wanting to run."

Matias must sense my unease because he grabs my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Ah ah ah." His grip tightens. "No running, baby. You're mine now."

I shudder at his possessive tone, a sick feeling settling in my stomach. "Please," I whisper. "Just let me go back to the others."

Matias lets out a dark chuckle, his breath fanning across my face. "Oh, I don't think so," he murmurs. "You and I... we have some unfinished business."

Before I can react, he pulls me closer, his lips crashing down on mine in a bruising kiss. I gasp, my hands coming up to push against his chest, but he's too strong. He holds me in place, his tongue plunging into my mouth.

I try to break the kiss, but Matias tightens his grip, his fingers digging into my skin. I can't breathe, can't think. All I can focus on is the burning need for air.

When I'm sure I'm going to pass out, Matias pulls away, leaving me gasping and trembling. He smirks, his gaze dark and hungry. "That's just a taste of what's to come," he murmurs. "You and I, we're going to have so much fun."

My fingers tremble as I raise them to my lips. Matias's kiss has shaken me, my body reacting in ways I don't understand.

This man is a literal psycho, a dangerous predator. Yet, something about him calls to me on a primal level.

I hate it. I hate the way he makes me feel. The way my traitorous body yearns for him. Matias strips all of my resistance away, leaving me vulnerable.

My heart pounds as I stare at him, trying to make sense of the maelstrom of emotions. I should be terrified and doing everything in my power to get away. Instead, all I can think about is how his lips felt against mine, the way his hard body pressed against me.

He smirks, as if sensing the conflict within. "See?" he murmurs, his voice low and dangerous. "I told you we'd have fun together." He reaches out, his fingers grazing my cheek, forcing me to fight the urge to lean into his touch.

"You're mine now, Kali," he says, his tone brooking no argument. "And I'm going to enjoy every minute of breaking you."

I shudder at his words; a part of me thrilled at the thought of being his. It's wrong. I know it is, but I can't deny the pull this man has over me. He's like a drug, and I'm already hopelessly addicted.

Matias grabs my neck, his thumb caressing the sensitive skin. "Now, be a good girl and get on your hands and knees."

My breath catches in my throat at Matias's command. Hands and knees? I know what that means, and my stomach twists with a confusing mix of fear and anticipation.

"I..." I start to protest, but the look in Matias's dark eyes silences me. There's no refusing him. Hating myself, I sink to my knees on the cold concrete floor. The thin fabric of my dress offers little protection or warmth. I glance up at Matias, hoping for mercy, but his expression is implacable. With a deep breath, I shift forward onto my hands, my hair falling around my face like a curtain.

This position makes me feel vulnerable.

Will he hurt me? Take me against my will? The possibilities terrify me.

I flinch, feeling Matias move behind me. His fingers trail up my spine, along the back of my neck, gathering my hair and sweeping it over one shoulder. I shudder at his touch, my heart racing.

"That's better," he murmurs. "I want to see all of you."

His words make my face burn with shame. I bite my lip, staring down at the floor. The cold from the concrete seeps into my knees and palms.

Matias's hands smooth down my sides, over my hips. I gasp softly, my body tensing. He chuckles.

"Relax. I'm not going to hurt you."

I want to believe him, but the gentle caress of his fingers feels like the prelude to something darker. I can't let my guard down or give him what he wants. I have to stay strong.

Matias sighs, his breath stirring my hair. "Why do you have to make this difficult? It'll be so much easier if you give in."

His words send a spark of defiance through me. I lift my chin and glare at him over my shoulder. "Never," I spit out.

Matias's eyes flash with anger and excitement. He likes the challenge.

I face forward again, not wanting him to detect the fear in my eyes.

The seconds tick by. My palms sweat where they're pressed to the floor. And then I hear Matias's low, dangerous chuckle. "You're trembling." Suddenly, he pulls my panties down, the cool air hitting me.

I close my eyes, bracing myself for whatever Matias has planned. My exposed skin prickles in the cool air, and I clench my fists, trying to stop my body from shaking.

Matias's hand smooths over my lower back, and I cringe, disliking how my body reacts to his touch. "Shhh," he murmurs. "Just relax."

I take a shaky breath, willing my pounding heart to slow. But it's impossible. The anticipation of what's coming has every nerve in my body on high alert.

Matias's fingers trail lightly up my spine, pushing my loose hair aside. I shudder as his lips press against the nape of my neck in an almost gentle kiss. The contrast between cruelty and care in his actions confuses me. I don't understand what he wants.

"You're so beautiful like this," he whispers against my skin. "So vulnerable. So mine. "

With excruciating slowness, his hands move to my hips. I bite my lip to hold in a whimper, despising my body's response.

"That's it," Matias croons. "Just let go. Let me make you feel good."

Make me feel good? I want to scream at him that there's nothing good about this, but I can't speak.

Matias's fingers move lower, brushing over my pussy, and I can't hold back a gasp. He chuckles. "I knew you'd like this, my dirty little whore."

I shake my head. "No, I hate it. You're insane if you think I like this," I whisper. Please, stop."

He ignores my pleas, continuing his relentless assault on my senses. I squeeze my eyes shut, biting my lip so hard I taste blood. I can't let him break me this way.

Summoning every ounce of strength, I shift my weight to one hand and whip my other arm back, my elbow connecting solidly with Matias's jaw.

He reels back with a grunt of surprise and pain. I seize the opportunity and scramble to my feet, yanking my panties back up. Matias is bent over, cursing. I don't hesitate, sprinting for the door.

My hand closes around the knob just as Matias's fist closes around my hair. I cry out as he wrenches me back violently, throwing me to the floor.

"You'll pay for that!" he snarls, wiping the blood from his split lip.

I retreat backward until my back hits the wall, my heart pounding wildly. Matias stalks toward me, his eyes blazing with fury.

This time, when he grabs me, his grip is bruising. I struggle as he drags me toward the bed.

"No! Let me go!" I beg desperately.

He slams me down on the mattress, pinning me beneath him. I thrash and kick, but I'm no match for him.

Matias straddles me, his hands encircling my wrists in an unbreakable hold. "Enough!" he roars. "You're only making this worse for yourself."

Chest heaving, I go still, glaring at him defiantly. I may have lost this battle but'll never stop fighting him.

Matias's eyes bore into mine. His lips twisted in a cruel smirk. "There's that fire," he murmurs. "You've got no idea how much I'll enjoy taming you."

My breath catches in my throat, but I keep my expression hard. I won't show my fear, won't give him that satisfaction.

Matias leans down until his lips nearly brush my ear. "When I'm through with you," he whispers, "You'll beg for my touch. You'll be addicted to me, unable to live without me. And you'll hate yourself for it." He pulls back, grinning wickedly.

"We'll see about that," I spit out through gritted teeth.

Matias's grin only widens. He releases one of my wrists to trail his fingers gently down my face. "Yes," he purrs, "We will."

And then he moves his head between my thighs and sucks my clit, making my back arch. Matias's dark eyes hold mine as he devours me. His mouth and hands expertly play my body.

Biting my lip, I turn my head to the side, refusing to look at him. I won't let him see how he's affecting me, how the unwelcome heat is building within me.

Matias notices my defiance and doubles his efforts, his fingers joining his mouth. I jerk and gasp, the sensations becoming almost unbearable.

"Look at me, Kali," he commands against my skin

I shake my head, clenching my fists. I won't give him the satisfaction.

With a growl, Matias releases me and grabs my chin roughly, forcing my eyes open. The lust and triumph in his eyes make me sick because he knows he's winning. Every touch sets my body on fire, and slowly, I'm falling into his trap.

"You can fight all you want, but your body knows the truth," he rasps. "You're mine now."

I open my mouth to argue, but then his mouth descends again, stealing my breath. Unwanted pleasure ripples through me, and I whimper despite myself.

Matias chuckles darkly. "That's it. Let me hear you moan."

I'm trembling, my hips moving of their own volition. Every nerve ending is on fire, my traitorous body climbing rapidly toward a peak I don't want.

Matias's touch turns rougher, more insistent. His teeth graze my sensitive flesh, and I cry out.

"Please," I gasp, unsure if I'm begging him to stop or keep going. My mind and body are at war .

Sensing how close I am, Matias redoubles his efforts. "Come for me, Kali," he orders. "Now."

And my body obeys, shuddering and arching as unwanted ecstasy crashes over me. I turn my head, squeezing my eyes shut against the tears of rage and shame.

Matias releases me and moves up my body, forcing my face back to his. The smug satisfaction in his eyes makes me want to claw them out.

"There now, that wasn't so bad, was it?" he taunts.

Unable to stop myself, I spit in his face. Matias reels back but doesn't lash out like I expect. He merely smirks at me. "You're lucky I'm so fond of you, or I might have ripped your throat out with my teeth."

"Go to hell," I rasp.

Matias's eyes blaze with fury and lust. Grabbing my hair, he crushes his mouth to mine in a brutal kiss.

I tear my mouth away, gasping for breath as Matias releases me from the punishing kiss. My lips feel bruised and swollen as I run my tongue over them.

"Enjoy the defiance while you can, little rabbit," Matias rasps. "Soon, I'll tear it from you, and you'll beg me for more."

I shake my head defiantly, even as my traitorous body thrums with unwanted arousal. "Never," I spit. "I'll never beg for you."

Matias smirks, clearly unconvinced. "We'll see."

He rises from the bed, and I quickly scramble to my feet, smoothing my rumpled clothing with shaking hands. I can still feel the imprint of his hands on my body, and I desperately want to scrub every inch of my skin.

But I know it's useless. What happened between us has left a mark on me that no amount of scrubbing will erase. Judging by the satisfied smirk on Matias's face, he knows it, too.

"Let's get you back to your cell, shall we?" He gestures toward the door. "Wouldn't want to keep you from your friends."

I glare at him but stalk past without a word. I can feel his eyes on me as I exit the room, no doubt enjoying the view. Bile rises in my throat, and I clench my fists, channeling my rage and disgust into each step.

Matias escorts me back to the dingy cell I share with my friends, his hand hovering above the small of my back. It's not quite touching, but close enough to feel the heat radiating from his palm, reminding me that he's a constant threat.

At the cell door, he leans in close. "Sweet dreams, little rabbit. I'll see you very soon."

His lips graze my cheek, and I jolt away, scrubbing at my skin with the back of my hand. Matias laughs.

"Don't fight it, Kali," he murmurs as he unlocks the cell. "You'll only make it harder on yourself."

I don't respond, slipping inside the cell and moving to the far corner, as far from him as possible. Matias lingers in the doorway, blatantly objectifying me.

"Think about what happened today," he says softly. "Think about how good it felt. You'll be craving more in no time. "

With that chilling promise, he shuts the cell door, leaving me with my turbulent thoughts and the lingering feel of his hands on my body. I sink onto the hay bale, drawing my knees to my chest.

Closing my eyes, I make a silent vow. I will never beg Matias for anything. No matter what he does to me, no matter how my traitorous body responds, I will stay strong.

I am more than what he wants to make me. More than an object for his pleasure and amusement. I will not break.