The heavy metal door slams open. Measured footsteps descend the stairs. I already know who I’ll see.
“Isobel, glad to see you again so soon.” A disgusting, smug smile is plastered on Gideon’s face.
“Lucian will never let you get away with this,” I snarl.
“Oh, but Lucian has no idea.” Gideon paces in front of me. “You see, Dakota here went back to the Guild, claiming Daniel’s men took you. You both got separated. And now you’re missing.” Gideon pretends to pout. “I did warn you, Isobel. To enjoy it while it lasted.” His cruel smile returns.
“Fuck. You.” I pray that just in this moment, rage alone can melt this sick fucking bastard where he stands.
Gideon makes that same soft tsk noise at me that makes me grind my teeth together.
“Still so feisty,” he muses, “even like this.”
“Go to hell,” I rasp.
“Oh darling, you’re already there.”
Behind him, Jace still holds Dakota. He looks so much like his father. I see him for who he really is. The asshole from the beginning. I can’t blame anyone but myself. He played a good game. He made me believe every moment.
“Ah, I see you know my future daughter-in-law?” Gideon gestures behind him.
“Excuse me?” I try to swallow the dryness in my throat.
“When Jace takes over the Guild, I’ll be right there with him.” Dakota smiles. “We’re the power couple.” She gives me a pitying glance.
“Get comfortable, Isobel. You’ll be here for a while.” Gideon smiles, patting my cheek. I try to bite his hand.
Anger flares in his eyes for a moment, then with a blink, he wrangles it back in.
“You’ll have to learn that your actions have consequences.” He nods to Butch and Delaine.
“Make sure our guest has a great time tonight.” Gideon’s smile makes me want to hurl. He turns and strolls past Jace.
“Let’s go, son.” Gideon makes his way upstairs without another glance.
Jace’s jaw is set, but he and Dakota dutifully follow Gideon out of the room. The door slams shut behind. I flinch at the sound.
Silence follows, thick and suffocating.
Butch and Delaine stand across the room, grinning like this is their idea of a good time. My pulse pounds in my ears, but I stare them down anyway.
Delaine’s voice is filled with amusement. “Gideon always did like them feisty.”
Butch cracked his knuckles. “We’ll show her a good time, alright.”
His smile is jagged. Cruel. They move toward me. Butch is alreadyreaching for my chest. Cold air licks across my bare skin, and panic surges like acid in my throat.
I kick. Fight. Bite down on a scream. They don’t hit me. But they touch.
Greedy hands skimming across skin. Fingers groping. The unmistakable sound of a belt buckle being undone. I stare at the ceiling, refusing to cry. Refusing to give them that power. They laugh.
And when I don’t scream or break—they get louder. Crueler.
Delaine leans in close, breath rancid against my face. “No wonder Jace doesn’t want you.”
He unzips his pants and touches himself, leering like he’s proud of it.
I turn my head. Stare at the wall. And leave my body behind.
