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"Why is Leighton here?" I ask, eyeing Jenni as she straightens. “Does he know about your new engagement?”
"Because he's a leech who thinks he's owed something,” she hisses, tightening her fingers into fists. Then, all the anger drains out of her, and she blows out a breath. “Help me avoid Leighton?” Her eyes turn pleading when I nod in agreement.
Without waiting for my response, Jenni grabs me by the hand and pulls me through the crowd and toward the foyer. I feel like a fucking ragdoll until she stops in front of him.
“Baby!” she says, dropping my hand and throwing her arms around his shoulders.
He smiles at her. Like genuinely looks at her like she’s the love of his life and smiles. “Hey, Baby Girl,” he mumbles, kissing her lips with passion.
“Oh! This is my friend Journey. You remember her, right?” she excitedly says, gesturing to me.
Elias’ eyes narrow at me like he knows what I’ve done. Like he can see right through me, and knows who I secretly work for, and is prepared to take me out.
“Hi,” I say with a small wave. “It’s nice to see you again.” Double lame.
Parties are not my forte. Neither is socializing. This is damn humiliating. But I grit my teeth and fucking fake it till I make it. I have to.
All for my sister, Sunny.
All for my freedom.
He chuckles, putting a hand on her ass and gently squeezing. “Any friend of my girl’s is a friend of mine.” He nods in my direction with a sparkle in his eye, searching for a deception. “Nice to see you again.”
Yeah, I wouldn't trust me, either.
"Let's go drink!" Jenni says, grabbing Elias hand, leading us back to the kitchen we had abandoned.
“So, how’d you two meet?” I ask, downing the rest of the shot I left behind, begging for liquid courage.
Technically, I shouldn't be consuming any sort of alcohol that inhibits my job. Never let your guard down, Little Snake. Always have your fucking wits about you. His voice rings in my mind among the many lessons he bestowed on me with his fists and cruel words. But fuck it. Freedom claws just beneath my skin, begging to come out and play. The shackles of my prison fall to the ground with every drink I take, bringing me to the normalcy I crave. Fuck my monster. Fuck this mission. For the night, I’m not a damn puppet on a string for him to swing around and force into stupid situations.
I’m Journey fucking West. Normal girl, hanging out at a party and living in the moment.
“Ohhhh,” Jenni giggles, waving a hand. “It was just one of those chance meetings.” Her eyes slide to his, and he chuckles, shrugging.
“Just one of those things you had to be there for,” he says, kissing her cheek.
“Another shot?” Jenni asks, getting a large bottle with no label on it and setting it down. “It’s definitely not tequila.” She grins when my expression turns soft, and I nod.
I thought she'd never ask.
“Pour us all one,” I say, hoping the effects of alcohol will loosen their tongues and make them more likely to spill their guts. The less I have to be here pretending I’m someone I’m not, the better my night will turn out to be.
“I can’t believe you came, baby. I thought these parties weren’t your thing,” Jenni says, puffing out her bottom lip slightly.
“They weren’t. But my girl’s all alone in her big old house with a bunch of horny teenage boys. Besides, Baby Girl. I have some things to discuss with certain people.” He plucks her lip in a loving way, swooping in to kiss her lips before she can even respond.
I longingly watch them with an ache in my heart. Is this what love looks like? Kissing? Googly eyes? Hearts in their throats? Fuck. I've only dreamed of feeling the loving hands of someone who cares or adores me. I long to see the light of love shining through in someone's eyes when they look at me.
Much like the night with my strangers in masks and their rough hands on my body. I’m nearly knocked back a step when a craving hits hard and takes my fucking breath away. Images of our roll in the sheets grabs me by the throat, thrusting me into my memories of the night I let everything go and won.
“Give yourself to us. For tonight. We’ll bring you to your fucking knees. But know I’m in control,” his whispered words ring through my mind over and over again. My knees knock. My pussy fucking grows wet with every thought.
Their hands, tongues, and husky voice. Their smells and the euphoria they brought me.
God, I need a damn repeat. Over and over again to help me feel something. Anything. I came alive under their fingertips, like my soul had reignited. Feelings came back to life after lying dormant for so long under my monster's cruelty.
They breathed life back into me for the first time in three years. I was free, floating, and fucking invigorated. I was no longer the girl imprisoned in a cage, held captive by the menacing monster in the dark. I was alive. Glowing. Heart pounding. Fresh oxygen entering my lungs. The moment I stepped away from them and woke up in my own bed, it felt like a dream. Good things only ever happened to me in my dreams.
