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Without a word, Sawyer, Knox, and the rest of the Bella Crew disappear.
All feels lost.
***
“I hope you’re happy. You’ve ruined everything.” Alexander leads me down the back hallway and to his secret office backstage.
Security cleared the club faster than I’ve seen, and Alexander left me hanging in the cage for what felt like days, but I know only hours passed. I’ll be here until my contract to the collection of vampires gets approved by the leadership. I don’t know what it entails, but I’m assuming it gives everyone a chance to pay their entry fees.
“Opal died because of you. Do you know how deeply it hurt me having to execute her in front of everyone? Had you been obedient, it wouldn’t have had to happen.” Alexander tugs me, forcing me to walk in front of him. “I can barely stand to look at you. I took exceptional care of you, gave you a home, treated you like family, and how do you repay me? Be thankful this is your punishment. It could’ve been far worse.”
Fury ignites inside me, and I can’t stop from turning around to glare at him. “Worse than being passed around the Strip? Treated as a blood slave? A sex slave?” I spit in his face with my anger. “You’re a monster! A twisted son-on-a-bitch!”
I brace for him to tear my throat out. I expect him to rip me off my feet and paddle me until I can’t walk. But he doesn’t react. All he does is wipe his face on his sleeve and release a warning growl.
“Do that again, and I’ll disqualify the Bella Crew contract. You should thank me that they even have one, considering their entries weren’t actually drawn in the lottery.” Slamming his hand into my back, he pushes me into his office.
I stumble forward and catch myself on my hands. “What?” I wish my mouth would’ve stayed shut. He’s lying and baiting me for a reaction. I know it.
“It was rather fun watching Mr. Noble’s face when I gave him hope to claim you and stole it away.” Alexander chuckles to himself. “It was such sweet satisfaction. It’ll haunt him for the rest of eternity, especially after you make your first round and return to them utterly broken. Maybe they’ll realize the beauty of a malleable, obedient blood donor.”
I tilt my head up and stare at him towering over me. I don’t even know what to say.
“But, my doll, this arrangement doesn’t come without a price. You might think I’m a monster, but this is a favor I’ve granted.” Bending over, he touches my chin and meets my gaze. “Do you remember our failed arrangement? About you getting information for me? That is still in place. If you do not give me everything I want to know, you will not only end up somewhere far worse, I will kill Mya. Painfully.”
My eyes widen at his words. Mya was supposed to leave with Govan.
Leering, Alexander’s face sparks with a wicked smile that makes my skin crawl. “Hmm, you look surprised. You should both be grateful that I didn’t administer her final donation for attempting to steal donors from me while breaking her contract. It’s a shame I had to make an example.”
Alexander pulls out his com device and taps the screen. He holds it out for me to see, and I nearly lose my stomach. Chained to the wall, Mya hangs limply with the body of someone at her feet. I can’t recognize him, but I think it might be her brother.
I clench my teeth, tears burning my eyes. “I hate you!”
“You won’t forever. Once you realize how good you had it here, you’ll come groveling back, begging for me to buy back your contract. But unlike your wretched mother, I might grant you some mercy as long as you behave and know your place. I wasn’t joking about you producing an heir for my bloodline.” Alexander caresses my cheek, his eyes flashing silver. “Maybe two or three. Maybe an army. Forever is a long time.”
I scrunch my brows together, confused by his words. What the fuck is he talking about?
I don’t get the chance to ask him.
Locking his gaze to mine, he breaks into my head. Pressure explodes behind my eyes, his mind-manipulation feeling as if he cracks my skull open. I can’t move or fight or do anything. His eyes turn solid silver, the gleam so reflective that I can see my own face.
Oh no. I thought Sawyer protected my mind, but this feels different.
“You will forget this conversation, Hayley. If you try to tell the Bella Crew about our arrangement, I will not only kill Mya, I will kill all of the performers. And not only that, you will fight against them and take their hearts any way you can. You will feel as if you’re burning alive if you don’t succeed. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” The word comes automatically from my mouth, and my eyes blur with my unshed tears.
“Good.” Alexander smiles at me, releasing me from his stare.
Confusion steals my thoughts, and I stare around the room. I expected him to hit me or do something, but all he does is turn his back and grab a few things from his cupboard. My hands tremble in nerves at his silence. I know he doesn’t acknowledge me on purpose, trying to get under my skin.
His phone chimes, and he glances at the screen and releases a breath. Whipping around, he flashes his fangs at me. He flies forward and drags me off my feet, swinging me around until my back hits the wall.
“It looks like everyone was approved for the contract. It pains me to send you somewhere you think you enjoy first, but it’ll make it that much harder on you when you have to leave. I’ll be watching, Hayley. If you so much as put up a fight or if the Bella Crew tries to fuck up the agreement, I’ll—” A knock sounds on the door, and Alexander growls, whipping his attention toward it.
“Mr. Aris, the driver is here to collect Ms. Ruby,” a husky voice says through the wood, speaking because Alexander doesn’t respond. “Do I need to pack her things?”
“No,” Alexander snaps. “She will be out in five. Don’t let anyone speak to her and take her directly to her transportation. Follow them to ensure she arrives at the Bella. I will not have them trying to fuck with the contract or find a loophole.”
A loophole? I glance from the door and back to Alexander, his eyes boring into my face, but I refuse to look at him. I wonder what he’s talking about.
Grabbing my hair, he yanks me to my feet and snarls. “Like I said, be a good girl, Hayley. You will regret it otherwise. Now get out of my sight. I can’t stand to look at you a moment longer.”
He shoves me to the door, and I drop my gaze instead of looking at the guard. I should feel relief in this moment. I’m getting out of here and going to the Bella. But why does something feel so wrong? Why does my life feel like it’s over?
“Goodbye, my doll,” Alexander says, his voice low. “You better make me proud.”
