“Your partner?”
“Yes. His name’s Sebastian. You’d get on like a house on fire, I know you would.”
“I’m not into setting houses on fire,” he teased.
I swatted his arm. “Don’t be such a joker.”
He sat there for a beat, then smiled. “I’d love to.”
10
Aria
Three Years Ago
“Don’t lie to me, you little bitch. That’s why you’re wearing a dress, isn’t it? Where did he touch you?” Jason’s hand pushed harder around my neck, forcing me to gasp for air.
Warm tears escaped my eyes, burning down my cold cheeks. My heart pounded like a wild drum, unable to find its rhythm as it frantically sent out a warning signal to every cell in my body. Throbbing hit the side of my head where he’d yanked me through the house by my hair.
“Nowhere.”
His forest-green eyes darkened, piercing into my soul as his nostrils flared. He roughly grabbed at the hem of my dress, forcefully pulling it up as I tried to stop him with my hands.
“No, please. I didn’t do anything,” I begged, my voice straining.
“You need to remember who you belong to,” he said through gritted teeth.
I froze, paralysed.
I knew what was coming.
It wasn’t the first time he’d done this to me.
I squeezed my eyes closed, my body praying it would be over quickly this time.
“What the fuck are you doing?” a familiar voice roared.
Callum.
The grip around my neck released, my hands finding their way there to try to remove the phantom feeling of it. I took as much oxygen in as I could. I opened my eyes as I slid down the wall, crouching, trying to protect myself as much as possible.
“She needs to be taught a lesson,” Jason hissed.
Callum squared up to him, pressing his index finger to his forehead. “Is there something broken in there? What the fuck is wrong with you? Look at her. She’s terrified.”
Jason pushed at Callum’s chest, causing him to take a step back.
“I don’t fucking care. She’s mine,” he snarled.
I gasped as Callum swung for him, his fist connecting with his nose, forcing Jason to stumble back. Jason smirked as he wiped at the blood on his face. He stalked towards Callum and tilted his head, his eyes burning into him.
“Someone’s got a soft spot for her,” he spat.
“Don’t make me do it again,” Callum warned.
“I’ll let that go because you’re my brother. I suggest you get this whore out of my sight. I don’t want to see her again until she’s learnt her lesson.”
Jason pushed at Callum’s chest one last time before storming out of the living room, the front door slamming not long after. Callum’s shoulders loosened, and he let out a heavy breath as he crept over and crouched in front of me.
