She was supposed to come but had other plans with her parents.
Maddie: This is the fucking worst thing I've ever endured. Please explain the party in detail so I can pretend I'm there.
Me: Umm… there are lots of drunk people, smoke everywhere, and the floors are sticky.
Maddie: Sounds like heaven.
I don't have a chance to reply before a body crashes into me, sending my phone flying and the screen shattering.
"Shit, sorry, princess. Didn't see you there." Tyler says, righting himself. He's either really drunk or just being a fucking dick—probably the latter. He bends down, picks up my phone, and winces. "Oops. Guess you needed an upgrade anyway. If you can't cover the cost on your small income, I'll do you a solid and pay for it—but you'll owe me one." He moves closer, and his stale breath hits my nose. I have to stop myself from gagging. I put my hands on his chest and shove him back. He stumbles, a stupid smile on his gross face.
"Fuck off, Tyler. I'd rather get hit by a truck than owe you a goddamn thing." I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest as a shield.
"Anthony, can you believe the perfect Sebastian Calyx left his precious jewel all alone at a party like this?"
"Honestly, yeah,” Anthony says. “It's rare to see you two not joined at the hip. But since he's busy, let us show you how to have a fun time." Anthony crowds in on my other side, and it feels like the walls are closing in as they inch closer.
"No thanks. Choking sounds better than being around you two a second longer." I grab my cup from the counter behind me and down it in one go, needing the courage to stand up to these low-life assholes.
I try to step away from them, but Tyler’s hand shoots out, gripping my bicep hard enough to bruise.
"Watch it, princess. See you around." He lets me go with a shove, and I almost fall. My vision blurs as Tyler and Anthony watch me push through the crowd.
I have no idea where Seb is—probably outside—and I'm not feeling well enough after all that to track him down. I'll wait for him in the guest room.
The stairs tilt under me like they're made of water. Fuck. I didn't think I was this much of a lightweight. Each step stretches longer than the last, like I'll never reach the top. My legs don't feel like my own. I make it halfway, my fingers clawing for the railing, but my hand won't wrap around it properly.
Something doesn't feel right.
My head buzzes, like someone stuffed cotton in my ears, muting the music downstairs to a low hum. Maybe I didn't eat enough today, and the liquor’s hitting too hard.
I try to move faster, but my body doesn't listen. As I blink, the edges of the room smear into darkness. Something's wrong. I can't think straight enough to name it, but the thought rattles in the back of my skull as my knees buckle halfway.
Before I can hit the ground, a pair of arms wrap around my waist. I can't find the energy to fight off whoever has me—but it's not Seb. I know Seb. This person smells like beer and expensive aftershave.
"L-let me g-go," I manage to mumble out, but I'm only met with a chuckle in my ear. I dig deep and manage to throw my head back, just enough to collide with whoever is holding me up. The sound of a door slamming is the only way I know we’re no longer on the stairs.
"You stupid, fucking cheap slut," he grunts before tossing me to the floor. My head hits the floor. Everything goes black as I blink, trying to clear my vision.
I manage to look up, and my mouth goes dry.
"What do you want?" I ask, my chest heaving as they step closer to me.
"Whatever I want," Tyler smiles, while Anthony wipes at the blood trickling from his nose.
"Ready for some fun, Mary?"
Chapter 15
Sebastian
Present
"Hey,"Imurmur."I’mhere with you. You’re safe. Please, breathe with me."
Tears track down Mary's face, and each one is a tiny fracture in my chest. As much as I claim to hate her, a part of me refuses to learn the lesson. The thought makes me sick and tender at the same fucking time. The least I can do is try to help her through this, even if every muscle in me wants to punish her by leaving her here alone.
“I-I…” She tries to pull words out of thin air, but it's as if they’re stuck. I tilt her face up and pull her tighter against me.
