Page 169 of I Will Break You
A muscle in his jaw ticks. “Have you seen the videos on that site?”
I lower my lashes. “Not really. Everything’s behind a paywall, and I thought it was just violent-looking porn.”
“It’s real, at least the short-term rentals. X-Cite Media is a front for something much bigger and more dangerous than you can imagine, and I need to prepare you for anything.”
“We can leave town. You can help me change my name?—”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“You’re safe here at 13 Parisii Drive. I have people stationed by all entrances. All you have to do is follow my lead.”
In other words, I’m bait. Xero needs me here to lure more of those men so he can find their leader. Bowing my head, I clench my jaw.
Xero and his minions can do what they like, but I didn’t sign up to become a pawn in a game of deadly pornographers. I also don’t want to become a killer.
What happened to all those promises he made to love and protect me to the end of my days? I pictured life with Xero Greaves to be filled with fine food, overseas travel, and sexy adventures. Why does he need me as bait anyway? He has a whole army of trained assassins.
The discrepancy between his words and actions tears at my heart.
If I don’t speak up for myself now, I’ll be embroiled in a world of murder, mayhem, and madness.
EIGHTY
XERO
Amethyst shifts on the mattress, her gaze drifting to the dildo on her nightstand. I tilt my head, wondering if she understands the importance of this training. I could show her the stalker’s letters and pictures, but her mind is unpredictable. If I allow her to fall back into delusions, she’ll become unreachable.
I thought she might hallucinate after I took her to the basement or when I made her practice breaking out of bindings. So far she’s been clear-headed without her medication, and I’m reluctant to cause further mental damage.
She’s dealing with enough real threats. Dredging up pictures from a past she can’t remember might splinter her fragile state.
On another note, my hackers looked into Amethyst’s finances. She was right about her parents keeping her financially dependent. All the expensive-looking items I found in her walk-in closet were all purchased by her mother.
I shouldn’t have gotten so pissed at the items I found on her wishlist, or even her attempts to launch a writing career based on her online fame. She had no choice and was just trying to survive.
If I had been a better man, I would have asked the right questions. Or taken better care of my little ghost instead of reveling in her punishment. Now, I’m addicted to watching her squirm.
“Alright then,” she says, the amber flecks in her pretty green eyes blazing with defiance. “If you’re going to imprison me like a princess in the tower, then you’ll have to keep me appeased.”
“You’re not Rapunzelita,” I say, my voice flat. “You shouldn’t need the full moon to unlock your inner beast.”
Her lips pinch into a tight line. “She was a fictional character.”
“Some authors use stories to bare their souls,” I mutter.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Take off the ropes,” I say.
As she leans forward on the mattress and unties the bindings I placed around her ankles, I slide off my jacket and walk toward her closet.
“Where are you going?” she asks.
“Getting changed.”
“But you can’t go in there.”