“No, I saved myself because I could see through your bullshit.”
“Not true. You’re as blind as you were when you were ten. You’re still in love with him. Still letting him sink between your fucking legs. But no matter what you think you remember about that night, Cleo Price, he did murder your parents. It was his finger on the trigger. No matter how you twist the fucking facts.”
No matter how much I wanted to believe Arthur didn’t do it, I couldn’t deny Rubix told the truth.
I was in love with the man who stole my family.
But I had my reasons why.
I could forgive him because of what truly happened that night.
“I know what you did, asshole,” I murmured. “I know the truth.”
Rubix chuckled. “Doesn’t make a shit load of difference, though, does it? He’ll still die.” He licked my cheek. “Just like you will do, pretty little girl. Which is such a shame, as I would’ve so enjoyed your company.”
All reminiscent and favored memories of Dagger Rose evaporated. The laughter, the connection—it all vanished as if it never existed.
I hated this place.
I loathed it.
I wanted to burn every damn house to the ground with every member inside.
I wanted them to die by fire like they’d almost done to me.
Wriggling in Rubix’s arms, I managed to dislodge his touch and spin to face him. “What do you want?” I spat, gritting my teeth against his horrible touch. Everything about him—from his scruffy chin to his greasy black hair pissed me off. “I’m done with whatever you’re doing. You want something from me? Spit it out so I no longer have to be subjected to your filth.”
Men laughed.
Cobra guffawed. “Holy shit, Prez. You gonna let her talk to you like that?”
“Yeah, Prez. Give her to us and we’ll set the bitch straight.” Sycamore’s sickening drawl webbed around the room.
Rubix laughed blackly. “Oh, believe me, boys, we’ll make her fucking pay.” Shooting his hand down the front of my body, he fingered me cruelly. “And what I want from you, princess, is a fuck load more than you think.”
“Get your hands off me!” I tried to slap him but only succeeded in being slapped myself.
My cheek bloomed with fire.
He snarled, “Make me.”
I flinched as his hand gathered my T-shirt, revealing my behind to the table of disgusting onlookers. They never moved, drinking in the scene with devil-soaked eyes.
“Do you want money? Shares? Let me go and I’m sure Arthur will give you both.”
Arthur would never pay—I knew that. But I would’ve bequeathed anything if it meant I could escape. I could take his punishment. I would survive it. But I would be stupid not to fight. Hell, I would’ve pledged millions if it meant I could walk out of there and be done with this ignoramus vendetta between father and son. I would’ve promised the world, but the moment I was free, I would’ve reneged on every single one.
Murderers, liars, and thieves didn’t deserve promises.
They didn’t know the value of an oath. Why should I be any different?
I bit my lip, swallowing my disgust as Rubix marched me back to the table and held me prisoner against the wood. I flinched as his fingers entered me forcibly, but I didn’t reward him with a cry.
He smirked. “I see you’re not going to make me stop. Haven’t you figured out that I don’t want money or whatever else you think you can fucking bribe me with?” His finger drove deeper, making me wince. His head tilted as coy smugness entered his eyes. “You’re not wet … so it isn’t just the last name that turns you on.”
He pushed my chest so my shoulders slammed against the surface. Bending over me, he thrust his jeans-clad cock against the mound of my *.
Oh, God.
I’m not here.
I’m not here.
I’d always been the type of person who guarded herself carefully. I supposed that was why my mind had tripped into amnesia when faced with something too hard to handle. I didn’t let emotions overwhelm me—I had a natural defense that probably wasn’t healthy but I couldn’t circumnavigate.
I had the tendency to shut down.
A switch.
And if I shut down, it was over. Done. Whatever happened from that point on couldn’t affect me because there was nothing inside to affect.
“Did you hear that the father is twice the man his son is?” Rubix’s breathing was thick and fast. “Don’t you want to sample the better version?”
I bucked, trying to get him off me. The bikers who’d held my wrists before captured them again, flattening me down, turning me helpless.
“You’ll only embarrass yourself,” I snarled. “Arthur isn’t just twice the man you are—I told you, he’s a hundred times.”
Cobra and Sycamore licked their lips, watching me with over-bright eyes.
“Go on, do whatever you think proves you’re a bastard. But just know the entire time I’ll be laughing at you. Laughing at how worthless you are. How lacking you are compared to a real man.”
Oh, God, Cleo. What are you doing?
I swallowed my terror. I hadn’t meant to say that.
Too late now. I only had myself to blame.