“Mark’s proper. We don’t have time.” Ray grabbed my arm and swung me round to bend me over the desk. The cool wooden was exhausting in opposition to my cheekbone as he pushed down firmly on my again with one hand whereas the opposite lifted my nightdress. “Mark, third drawer down.” Ray held out his free hand and gave an additional warning push down on my again with the opposite.

I didn’t battle in opposition to his maintain, I knew higher than that, however I continued to plead with him in whispered sobs. He ignored me. I watched as Mark pulled a cane from the drawer on the opposite aspect of the room. He met my widened eyes as he handed it over to Ray, and he appeared nearly apologetic.

“You would nonetheless go away,” Ray mentioned to Mark. However Mark solely shook his head, his eyes not leaving mine.

The cane got here down sharp and with out warning. I screamed and my knees buckled. I’d have fallen if Ray hadn’t been pushing down so exhausting on my again. It was ache like I’d by no means identified earlier than. I needed to curve right into a ball and shrink away into nothingness. I had been so silly to let myself belief Ray once more, silly to really feel unhealthy for inflicting him heartache. Nobody who cherished me may trigger me this a lot ache. This had by no means been about me; it was about intercourse, and ego, and management. However it was too late for that realisation. Ray had what he needed. I hadn’t realised it earlier than, however he’d had my loyalty. Why else wouldn’t I’ve used this chance to flee? What sort of idiot may nonetheless really feel one thing for a person like Ray after this?

I felt totally damaged, however regardless of that, the tears had stopped. I used to be too shocked to cry or transfer or suppose. I reopened my eyes and balanced myself again on my legs. If enduring Ray’s wrath was the one approach to discover dignity within the midst of all this disgrace, then I used to be going to do no matter it took to get via it. That was actually the one energy I had left. And even that was faltering. Mark was nonetheless watching me intently. I knew he didn’t owe me something, however I didn’t perceive how he may watch this and never intervene. This wasn’t kink; this was simply straight-up violence. Even when Mark’s curiosity in me had solely been sexual, wasn’t there a tiny little bit of compassion in him that needed to cease this?

“Grasp, please, you’re too indignant. Don’t—”

“I’m past indignant, Callie. I lastly thought I may belief you once more, and now you’ve taken a threat that would jeopardise all the pieces we’ve got.” The cane landed once more. “Inform me what you probably did.” He was shouting now, and the sound of his rage trapped my breath in my throat. I felt like I used to be going to go out. However Ray was solely simply getting began. One other strike landed, and I screamed. I’d by no means heard myself make a noise like that earlier than. There was no choice now of making an attempt to seem dignified. The concern and ache have been an excessive amount of to deal with.

“Nothing. Please—”

And one other.

“You anticipate me to consider that you just broke into my workplace, stole your cellphone after which modified the code for no motive? Do you suppose I’m a idiot?”

He didn’t watch for a response. He wasn’t giving me an opportunity to assemble my ideas and clarify. If I had thought he hated me earlier than, it was nothing in comparison with the loathing radiating from him in that second. I understood why he didn’t consider me. I nearly didn’t consider it myself. Why hadn’t I known as somebody, executed one thing – something in any respect that may have helped me to flee?

“You may beat me as a lot as you want,” I whispered brokenly. “I’m telling you the reality.”

The strikes moved to my legs – three in fast succession. I screamed so loudly it lastly appeared to stir one thing in Ray, and he eliminated his hand from my again, permitting me to sink to the ground. Regardless of the ache, and regardless of instinctively eager to get as distant as attainable from Ray, I compelled myself to show in order that I used to be kneeling at his toes. I hoped my present of submission would assist show my loyalty.

“Why have been you in my workplace?”

“I used to be fearful about you. I needed to seek out out… the place you have been.” It was exhausting to talk. I needed to take frequent breaths to attempt to calm my voice.

“Why have been you fearful?”

“You’d been gone so lengthy, and Mark informed you to watch out once you left… I assumed one thing had occurred.”

“So what have been you doing with the cellphone?”

“I discovered it when, I used to be on the lookout for details about the place you have been. I needed… It’s been so lengthy… I missed folks.” I knew I wasn’t making any sense.

“So that you known as somebody?”

“No!” I swallowed exhausting after which regarded up into Ray’s eyes. “I solely regarded on the messages folks had despatched me. I do know I shouldn’t have. However I swear, I didn’t name anybody.” I let his stony eyes search my face for any hint of a lie. If he didn’t really feel like he may belief me, hopefully he may at the least belief his personal potential to know once I was mendacity.

“Mark?” Ray didn’t break eye contact with me as he sought affirmation of the reality it appeared he didn’t dare consider.

“No outgoing calls or messages. No emails. GPS is off.” If something, this info solely hardened Ray’s gaze. I may see that he was struggling to know what to suppose.

“Why didn’t you attempt to contact somebody?”

I broke eye contact and stared down at my knees. I didn’t know the right way to reply that – I didn’t know the reply myself. This was the one actual escape alternative I’d had, and I’d thrown it away. If I’d had extra time, I’d have known as somebody. I felt a pang of guilt deep in my abdomen. I’d have known as David if I hadn’t been found so quickly.

“It’s in opposition to the principles.” It was a feeble reply, and I may inform Ray wasn’t happy by it.

“Why change the code for those who had nothing to cover?” requested Mark. He sounded curious slightly than accusatory, and I felt a glimmer of hope that they could lastly be beginning to consider me.

“I simply needed to really feel like I had a few of my privateness again.”

Mark turned to Ray.

“You may’t keep right here now; it’s too dangerous.”

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