He chuckles lightly. “You’re so smart, Ellington. James used to tell me how dumb you were. Just a cunt to fuck. But I knew you were smarter than he gave you credit for.” Reaching inside his unzipped slacks, he pulls out his dick and I lean away. He tangles his hand in my hair roughly, making me cry out.
“Enough talk. It’s time for you to be a good fucking whore and thank me for all I’ve done for you.”
My teeth clamp shut, and I shake my head the best I can with his fist in my hair. This isn’t like last time in James’s office. I’m not fucked up on drugs. Or begging for it.
He sighs, disappointed, and all but rolls his eyes. “How about Sin?”
My heart stops and I look up at him through watery eyes.
“If you don’t open your mouth, I’m going to report him to the Lords.”
I freeze. What does he mean report him?
“See, Sin was given an assignment, off the books. Of course, he didn’t know that. It was more of an experiment on my end. I wanted to see just how far he’d go for his little demon. And poof, the guy ended up dead. Photos of you naked and being used—gone. All for you, Elli. Imagine my surprise when I realized just how much he cares for you, a used-up whore.”
Tears fall down my cheeks. David. Linc set Sin up by hooking me up with David. But why? What made him think Sin was even interested in me?
“So, this is the last time I’ll make this offer, Ellington. Open your mouth and thank me for not getting the man you love stripped of his title.”
I hate that I care what happens to Sin. He saved me. Although he then used me until he got bored. But that’s my fault, right? I believed his lies. I fell in love with someone he really wasn’t. I can’t let them strip him of his title. Not because of me. I’m tired of being the reason people get hurt. This is my future. Being passed around and used.
They’re all right. I’m the whore. I’m nothing. Sin has a future, and I’m not going to let him lose it because of me. I’m not like them. Licking my lips, I close my eyes and part my lips.
“That’s a good slut,” he praises, and my shoulders shake as his cock slides into my open mouth.
_______________
I KNEEL ON the floor, the blood rushing in my ears. I watch him zip his pants. He grips my face and I stare up at him in a daze. Everything is blurry. He says something then lets go of me. The zip tie is cut and my arms fall to my sides. I hear him exit, the door shutting.
My chest heaves and I scramble to my feet. Running into my adjoining bathroom, I fall in front of the toilet just in time to vomit.
“Oh my God, Elli.” I hear Kira now standing next to me.
I do it again. My stomach muscles tightening, thighs clenching and chest burning. I expel what Linc forced me to swallow. It’s like déjà vu.
I just wish I was as fucked up as last time. I’ve got some in my dresser that I can take once I know I’m done throwing up.
She grabs my hair, holding it since Linc fucked up my updo with his fist in it. Once I’m done, I flush the toilet and sit back on my legs.
“Have you eaten today?” she asks, going over to the sink. Turning on the faucet, she runs a washcloth underneath it to get it wet, then hands it to me.
“Y-es.” My voice rough, throat burning.
I abandon the washcloth on the floor and stand on shaking legs. I go over to the faucet, cup the water and wash my face while rinsing my mouth out.
“Elli,” she speaks softly. “I think you should take another pregnancy test.”
“Not this again,” I mumble under my breath.
“I’m serious. It could have been a false negative. Or maybe you’re not far enough along yet…”
“I’m not pregnant.”
“Did you and Sin use a condom?” she asks.
“Are you and Corbin using protection?” I glare at her.
“I’m not the one vomiting,” she snaps defensively.
“I’m fine, Kira,” I sigh. “I promise.”
I exit the bathroom, entering my bedroom once again, and she follows. “Are you trying to hide this pregnancy because Sin is marrying Amelia?”
I spin around to face her. “What?”
“Is this some sort of revenge?” She places her hands on her hips. “Because he won’t marry you?”
I’m so close to the fucking edge I’m about to jump. I don’t know how much more of this bullshit I can take. “Your brother doesn’t give a fuck about me, Kira. And I get it. I do. I was just a fuck. Take some notes. Your day is coming.” I give her my back.
“What does that mean?” She grabs my upper arm, spinning me around.
“It means Corbin is the same.”
“No—”
“They’re all fucking Lords, Kira,” I snap at her for being as stupid as I was. If I can save her this heartache, I will. “They took an oath. Women don’t mean shit to them.”
Her eyes drop to the floor. The same spot I was just kneeling and gagged for Linc. “My brother loves you.”
I throw my head back laughing. It’s manic sounding, my entire body shaking from it. “Well, I don’t love him.” The bile returns but I swallow it down. I never told him I loved him and now I’m glad. Imagine if he knew he had that much power over me.
“You have to tell him you’re pregnant,” she urges.
“I’m not fucking pregnant!” I scream “Jesus Christ, Kira. I’m not fucking pregnant. Let it go. Worry about yourself. Huh? Who the fuck knows if Corbin is being faithful to you.”
She slaps me across the face, and I don’t even feel it. I’m too numb at this point. Losing my goddamn mind over a game that I can’t win.
She storms out of my room, and I find myself walking over to my dresser. I open it up and pop two pills into my mouth. Then without thought, I enter my closet and numbly pull the dress that my mother got me to wear tonight for this party off the hanger, slipping it on over my head. If life has taught me anything, it’s that it doesn’t stop when you need rest. You swallow your cries and you lift your chin. Because life doesn’t give a fuck about you. You either take it, or you let it kill you.
Never trust a man unless you know what he’d do to survive.
I get it. Because for once, I understand what my father did, and it doesn’t sound so bad.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
SIN
I STAND NEXT to Corbin and Chase in the ballroom when I see my sister entering. I can tell from across the room she’s crying.
“What’s wrong?” I ask the moment she rushes over to us.
“We’re leaving,” she barks at Corbin.
“What’s wrong?” he asks her, and she ignores him too.
“I’m fucking leaving. Come with me or don’t.” Spinning around, she goes to storm off, but I grab her arm and yank her back. “Sin—”
“Answer our fucking question right now,” I growl in her face, my fingers tightening on her skin. She looks to Corbin but all he does is cross his arms over his chest, also waiting for an explanation.
I love my sister to death and would do anything for her, but she chose this life with the Lords. She had every chance to run the other way, and she didn’t. Corbin isn’t the guy she thinks he is. He’s a Lord and that will always come first. No matter how much he loves her. The Lords always like to test us with things that we love.