Page 24 of Tame Me

“She was talking to your mother,” Thane corrects.

“What?” I ask.

“My mom used to rape me when I was a kid,” Reid says quietly. “She… For years… She got pregnant once, but he died shortly after he was born… She… Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” Thane says gently.

“I’m so sorry, Reid,” I say as tears roll down his cheeks. I step past Thane and go to him. When I hug him, he falls to his knees as he weeps. I hug him against my belly and stroke his head as he cries into me. Thane comes over and puts his hand on his shoulder, but stays quiet.

After a while, he starts to calm down. I hold his face between my hands and wipe away the tears. “I’m going to fucking kill your mother,” I say sweetly.

“I’m already going to kill that professor,” Thane says. “We can stack them.”

“Both of you are fucking insane,” Reid says as he stands and hugs me tightly. “Thank you.”

“Thane did it,” I say.

“You planned to,” Thane laughs. “I just suspected you were going to do something, so I followed you.”

“How did you find her?” Reid asks.

“A friend from the psych ward,” I laugh. “I don’t ask her how she does what she does. I just say thank you and make sure I don’t piss her off.”

“Let’s go back to bed,” Thane says. “Ready?”

“Yes,” Reid sighs.

We take the vehicles back to the facility before going back to the room to clean up and crawl into bed. I fall asleep in minutes, sandwiched between Thane and Reid.

We got a late start this morning, since last night was pretty sleepless. Once we got back, I fell asleep immediately, but it didn’t make up for the fact that I missed most of the night. I dragged all the way through the morning, but now we are in the training room. I am anticipating a punishment for leaving campus without permission, but they haven’t said anything.

“Alright, Ayla,” Thane says as he walks into the room. “Reid is going to observe you today. You ready?”

“Yes, sir,” I say obediently. Thane raises an eyebrow at me and moves closer.

“I want you to present yourself to me. Do you know how to do that?” Thane asks.

“No, sir…” I drop my head slightly because I don’t want to upset him.

“On your knees, sitting back on your heels. Put your hands on your thighs with your knees separated. Keep your eyes down and do not lift your head unless I instruct you to do so,” he says.

I do as he says and immediately go down on my knees. I sit perfectly and wait for further instructions. Thane is being quiet, but I can hear him moving around the room. What will I be whipped with?

My entire body jerks when I hear Thane unhook his belt, and he slowly walks over to me. I am shaking as I sniff back my tears, praying he doesn’t hit as hard as Dad. My eyes are blurry, and I squeeze them shut when he gets closer.

“Please, I’m sorry,” I say through my tears when I feel warm hands cup my face.

“Ayla,” Reid says softly. “Open your eyes, please.”

I shake my head, and I can feel when he moves down to kneel with me. “I’m sorry,” I repeat.

“Why are you sorry?” Reid asks gently.

“I know I broke the rules. I know I have to be punished, but I’m scared,” I admit as I choke on my tears.

“Open your eyes, Ayla. No one is mad at you,” Reid says. I do, and he wipes the tears from my cheeks. Thane is across the room, leaning against a counter, and I feel horrible.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I messed up. I’ll do…”