I hug the tops of my arms, feeling uneasy, before turning around and glancing around the entire space. I have searched everywhere for something to use to defend myself, but he is notstupid enough to leave anything here. He is aware of what he is doing.
My body aches as I slowly approach toward a mirror on the opposite wall at the far end of the room. I come to a halt when I see my reflection and observe how red and puffy my eyes are from all the crying, as well as how I have a split lip with a large, purpling lump on my jaw.
I carefully lift my hand and run the tips of my shaky fingers over the dark, swollen skin, but it hurts so much that I hiss and flinch back. How am I supposed to fight him when he is willing to harm me in this way? I gave it my best, but it meant nothing to him, and now I know I must do it all over again tonight.
My dry eyes burn as I fight back the tears that are threatening to spill when I realize no one is going to help me. Chaos and Reign were the only people I knew, and I am not sure where I stand with them anymore. I walked out and left without saying anything to either of them. I close my eyes while I consider how much I now regret that decision, but I cannot undo what I have done; all I can do is try to change what happens next.
I would prefer it if Maddox murdered me than put me through this ordeal. If he wants revenge, he should just kill me, but I know he won't. He will make me pay for my father's killings, which I had nothing to do with.
I open my eyes to stare at myself in the mirror once more before my thoughts darken and I ponder suicide. It would put an end to all the misery I am about to endure at the hands of this psychopath. I don't think I'd be able to get through it mentally or physically.
I spin around and begin examining the room again, searching for anything that could help me get the task done in the easiest way possible. When I recall the string in my hoodie, I look down as I frantically extract it from my hood.
I take a hesitant breath as I grasp it tightly in my hands, but when the door suddenly swings open, my head whips around. My gut nearly drops out of my ass when I see Maddox at the entryway, and I hastily place the string behind my back while turning to face him. He does not take his focus away from me; he is clearly aware that I've been doing something, which sets off my anxiety.
He enters fully before kicking the door shut and heading straight for me. I attempt to stay calm by straightening my back and raising my chin, although my heart is slamming against my ribs. Once he comes to a standstill in front of me, he is so tall that I must strain my neck to peer into his soulless eyes.
His jaw clenches, the sharp muscle flexing as he scans my face before reaching around and grabbing my wrist behind my back, but I yank away. He speaks with clinched teeth as he reaches his other hand around, completely enveloping me.
“Don't fuck with me, Swan.”
He pulls the string from my grip before standing straight and bringing it in front of us. We both peer down at it in his tattooed hand, and that's when I realize I've fucked up. His cold eyes dart to mine as he holds it up.
“Was this to fuck me over or yourself?”
As he takes a step forward, I take one back, and I have a feeling that no matter what I say, it will only be used against me. Fearstrikes me and I whirl around to run away only to see a dead end, but he swiftly grabs a fistful of my long hair before dragging me back into him, compelling me to scream out.
When he presses me tightly against his chest, I feel strands being torn from my scalp, but I continue to twist and attempt to free myself. He wraps his powerful arm around my stomach and across my arms, keeping me restrained while murmuring into my ear.
“You just can't stop getting yourself into fucking trouble with me, Swan.”
I feel rage bubbling inside of me and I snap.
“Stop fucking calling me that! I am not yours; I’m not fucking Swan and you can try to break me all you like Maddox, but by the end of all this, you’ll be the dead cunt.”
He suddenly pulls my hair and turns my head to look at him behind me, causing me to hiss from the pain.
“Stupid little girl, you have no fucking idea, do you? No one is coming for your ass. No one gives a fuck about you, SWAN!”
He raises his voice, shouting in my face and I start angrily screaming back, tears welling in my eyes.
“I do not need saving! I will be the one to end you if you do this!”
I grit my teeth close to his face and I see the rage build in his eyes, but I am too furious to give a damn.
“You better sleep with one eye open all the time you’re married to me, you sick fuck, because I will gladly finish you.”
He gives me a wicked sneer before speaking chillingly.
“Let's see who dies first, shall we?”
He shoves me forward, releasing my hair, and I stumble ahead before spinning around to face him. Leaning down carefully, he gathers the string in his fingers that he must have dropped before rising upright again. I stare at him, wide-eyed, as his dark orbs flicker to mine and he wraps the string around both of his fists. I feel trapped, as if the walls are closing in on me and there is nowhere to run—nowhere to hide.
He pounces rapidly, and as I spin around to flee, he wraps the string around the front of my throat from behind. My breathing is immediately restricted, and I attempt to slip my fingers beneath it, but he is holding it far too tightly, cutting deep into my skin. As I choke, I start clawing at his hands before aiming for his face, but he simply draws away from my reach. Panic rises within me as he presses me harder against him until I am suffocated and falling into darkness.
I suddenly gasp for air as soon as I feel freezing water being poured on my face, startling me. My eyes snap open and as I try to sit up, I realize I can’t because my wrists are tied above me. My heart slams against my chest as I glance up and see that I am tied to the headboard so tightly with the string of my hoodie that my hands are purpling.
Air strikes my skin, causing me to peer down at myself, only to discover that I am entirely naked, and I raise my knees in an attempt to cover myself before he catches attention from across the room. I stare at him as tears fill my eyes, blurring my vision while he gazes down at the burning fireplace, a glass of whiskey in his hand, now shirtless. I begin to wriggle, trying desperatelyto tug on the string to free myself, which only causes me excruciating pain, but I will not give in.
