We should be out by now.
That nagging feeling pushed through the fog inside my head. I turned my gaze to the section of glass in the door and slowly pushed upwards. That internal clock ticked a little louder, driving me to slide from the bed.
The guards were normally here by now, ushering us to the bathroom to shower and change before we headed to the cafeteria…and then…and then the training room.
OBEY.
CONTROL.
RELEASE.
I winced as the words invaded.
But there were no sounds outside my door, no barking commands of the guards or the soft padding of steps from the Daughters. Instinctive alarm filled me as I stepped closer to the door. I reached out, grasped the handle, and pulled.
Click.
It gave way, swinging inward to leave me standing in the wash of white light from the corridor. There was no guard standing outside my door. I inched my way forward, then leaned my head out. There were no guards standing outside any door, for that matter.
Nor were there any Daughters in sight. I glanced over my shoulder to the safety of my room, then turned back. The urge to be silent and obedient was overwhelming.
Fight, Trouble.
Riven’s voice filled my head.
That’s it…stay in control.
I wanted to stay in control. I was desperate for it. Still, that fog in my head was like wading through mud. I forced myself to move, stepping out of the room and into the hallway. Move. Move. I dragged my fingers along the wall as I headed to the nearest Daughter’s room.
I gripped the handle, then turned it.
Click.
Darkness waited. I pushed the door open and lifted my gaze to the curled figure on the bed. “Hurry.” I croaked. “We can leave.”
She rolled over, staring at me, then slowly climbed from the bed. “Leave?”
“Yes, come on.” I pushed the door open wider and left, moving to the next room.
Each door I opened, each Daughter inside I called, but, they didn’t step out, only lingered a step inside the room. They weren’t like me. They were careful, controlled…drugged, that’s what they were. They were drugged.
The thud of heavy steps came. I shoved backwards, scurrying for the open door of my room, eased it closed and plunged into the shadows within.
“The fuck?” The guard snarled.
With my heart in my throat, I inched my door open, straining to hear.
“Did you open this?”
My pulse was booming. I eased the door a tiny bit wider.
“You want to get out of here?” The guard’s voice was bolder.
I peeked around the doorjamb to see him dragging her out by her arm. He pushed her against the wall beside the door, his hand moving from her arm to around the back of her throat. I was transfixed by the sight of him and horrified by her submission. He lowered his head, curling his spine until he nuzzled her breast. Her vacant stare was pinned on the opposite wall as a low, throaty sound came from her.
“You like that?” He bit carefully at her nipple.
“Yes.” She whispered. “I like it.”
He nipped harder, making her wince. “I could fuck you right here and you wouldn’t even fight me, would you?”
“No.” I whispered, my voice growing stronger as I stepped out into the corridor. “But I would.”
She didn’t look my way, didn’t even turn her head. She wasn’t here, not her mind, at least.
The guard narrowed his cruel stare at me. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Fear tore through me. In an instant, my mouth was too dry for words.
“Well?” He demanded.
“I—” I started.
“I let her out.”
I jerked my gaze toward Walker as he stood inside the edge of the corridor, watching.
“You?” Coulter’s guard snarled. “You were told the Daughters are off limits.”
Walker just stepped forward, eyeing him until they were face to face. “The day I take orders from your boss will be the day I stop taking orders.”
My breath caught as both men glared, but it wasn’t long before the other guard backed down.
“How about we get you to the bathroom?” Walker murmured, never once looking away from the asshole in front of me. “Helene.”
The mere mention of my name shocked me into movement. I jerked my gaze toward him, my heart hammering in the back of my throat.
“Move now.” Walker growled through clenched teeth. “And take her with you.”
I stepped forward, grabbed the Daughter’s arm, and pulled her forward.
“Daughters!” Walker called loud enough to resound along the hall.
One by one they stepped into their doorways.
“Time for showers.” Walker urged as hate rippled from the other guard’s stare.
The other women spilled around them, oblivious to the standoff, and with one cautious glance at Walker, I gripped the Daughter I’d pulled into the hallway and was gone.
There were no more incidents, not when we showered or left for the cafeteria. But the tension inside was palpable. Walker and his men stood on one side of the room and Coulter’s guards on the other. We sat quietly at our tables, heads down as plates of eggs and toast were placed in front of us.
My stomach clenched at the sight. I grabbed a piece of toast and nibbled the edges, watching the silent battle play out in the corner of my eye. The other Daughters were oblivious. The drugs and the mind control made them almost zombies. They ate and drank in silence, eyes down, focused on every bite.
But I felt the tension rise, especially when Riven, Kane, and Thomas stepped in, scanned the guards on each side of the room, then glanced our way. Kane moved forward, his focus skimming over me as he checked the rest of us.
“There’s no training today.”
I shifted my attention to one of Coulter’s guards, who’d stepped forward.
“Isn’t there?” Kane leveled him with a dangerous stare before turning his attention back to us.
Something had changed between them. Before, there’d been a dangerous tension, now it was something else, a chilling whisper of war waiting to be unleashed.
“Finish up.” Kane commanded, looking our way.
I tossed the piece of toast to the plate, grabbed the juice, and drank before rising.
“You’re to follow Walker to the audio room.” Kane gave a nod to the commander. “Now.”
The Daughters moved instantly, snapping to attention at the mere sound of his voice. He was the Master here. The one man who with a simple look made each of us sink to our knees. We’d do anything for him…and anything to him with just one whisper of those perfect lips.
My teeth scraped my lower lip as I stared at him. Kane Cruz…I’d seen him before when I’d been a liar sitting across from his desk. But I’d never truly seen him. Not like this. A surge of desire swept through my senses, cutting to the center of me like a knife.
I hadn’t wanted him then, but I wanted him now.
God, I wanted him.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
His voice had trembled when he said those words. What we had was real. It wasn’t the programming, or the drugs. It was real enough to scare him. I clung to that as the line of Daughters filed past, heading to the door. They all smiled at him, all looked at him with desperate longing.
My cheeks burned as I stepped into line, forcing my stare to the floor and moved out the door. He didn’t look my way, and he didn’t call my name. I had more important things to worry about here…like staying alive. I sure as hell didn’t need my heart on the line.
Still, I couldn’t stop my nostrils from flaring with jealousy as one Daughter behind me called. “Teacher?”
“Yes?” He answered.
“I—” She started.
That savage feeling only grew stronger, forcing me to stop walking and jerk a glare over my shoulder. Kane looked my way instantly as the Daughter stopped in front of him. She started talking, but he wasn’t listening to a word she said. All he saw was me.
Our gazes collided, and all of a sudden, I could breathe. He scowled as I stared, then his focus dipped to my mouth and that same electric need grew between us. I licked my lip, dragging my teeth across the soft flesh, until Kane stepped forward.
“Daughter.” He said huskily, drawing my focus. “Is there a problem?”
Heat rose in my cheeks as I met his stare, then shook my head. “No, sorry.”
I forced myself to turn back and keep walking, heading out of the cafeteria and into the hall. The others were waiting, with Walker at the helm.
“We wait.” He said carefully, glancing behind us. “Okay, let’s move.”
I didn’t need to look behind me to know they were there. That heaviness between my legs grew as they strode past. We headed along the hallway to the auditorium, stopping outside. When the doors opened, darkness waited along with the flickering screen.
“Everyone inside.” Riven urged as Kane disappeared through the doors and into the gloom.
I followed the others, stepped in, and headed for the rows of seats. But before I made it, I was grabbed and yanked to the side. A hand came over my mouth.
“Quiet.” Kane growled against my ear. “We don’t want them to hear, do we?”
I struggled for a second, then stilled and shook my head.
“Good little whore.” He breathed hot against my ear, then stepped backwards, dragging me with him.
I couldn’t see, but I didn’t need to. I trusted him as I held onto his arm and followed. The brush of a hand came from in front of me and as the massive screen lit up with the words OBEY. CONTROL. RELEASE. I was stolen away.
But not before the Daughter who’d stopped them before glanced our way, catching us sinking behind the stage and into the back area. I was spun the moment we were out of sight and pushed gently against the wall.
“I may be a gentleman, Helene. But if you look at me like that…with the Devil in your eyes while you bite your lip like that, then we are fucking against the nearest surface I find.” He let go of my arm and gently gripped my throat instead. “Do you understand me?”
Even in the darkness I saw him.
I saw all of them.
Kane’s perfect mouth.
Riven’s possessive stare.
And the white clerical collar of The Priest.
“Yes.” I breathed.
Kane leaned against me and lowered his head to draw in the scent of my skin. His heavy breaths pushed against me. I lifted my gaze to his, knowing this was exactly where he wanted me, pinned against the wall with his hand around my throat. Heat bloomed between my thighs. I knew the red bodysuit I wore was already damp against my core.
“Spread them.” Kane growled.
“Kane, we don’t have time.” Riven warned.
I glanced his way and my pulse exploded in my chest. “I need you.” I whispered. “Please.”
A tortured look filled his stare. The clench of his jaw followed. “Fuck it.” He snarled and strode forward.
His hands weren’t kind as he gripped my chin and jerked my mouth to his.
The kiss was savage and consuming…filling me with panic and desire all at once. Hard lips took my mouth, bruising my lips against my teeth until he tore free, taking a hard breath.
Riven’s eyes glinted in the dark as he searched mine. “I can’t fucking stand not having you, Trouble.” His big hand cupped the back of my neck, his thumb brushing my cheek. “But it’s getting dangerous now. You understand me, right? Those drugs, they’re not…”
“I can understand you.”
Pain filled him. He glanced at Kane, then turned back to me. “They’re taking you tomorrow. I don’t know when, or how. All I know is they are coming…and you need to be ready.”
“Tomorrow?” I whispered, shaking my head. It was too soon…too…real. I shook my head. “No.”
“Listen to me,” Riven growled, searching my stare. “We will come for you. The moment we can get away, we will find you.”
He lowered his hand and cupped my breast, his thumb stroking the small cut Kane had made when he’d inserted the tracker.
“Do you believe me?” His tone was desperate.
“Yes.” I reached up, brushing my fingers along his cheek. “I do.”
A savage, hungry sound came from him as he kissed me. It was as though a dam broke between us. Strong hands tore at the straps of my bodysuit as fingers pushed between my legs. I couldn’t widen them enough.
Riven pulled away, then turned his head to Kane. “You want to touch her?”
“More than I’ve wanted anything in my entire life.” Kane answered huskily.
“Then touch her.” Riven demanded, taking a small step backwards.
Kane took a massive breath. His touch was careful at first, tentative as his brother watched.
“Get on your knees,” Riven demanded. “Treat her better than I would.”
“What?” Kane jerked his gaze to Riven’s.
“I said.” Riven grabbed his brother by the back of his neck and pushed, forcing him to his knees. “Get on your goddamn knees.”
I didn’t understand what was happening. But I should have. I should’ve expected this and more with someone so dangerous. Riven’s lips curled with a savage sneer as he leaned over and snarled. “You’d better step up, brother. Or you can stand by and watch while I take her for my goddamn self.”
That pissed Kane off.
His lips curled and the sparkle in his eyes was just as crazed as Riven’s. He licked his lips as Riven forced his brother’s gaze between my legs.
“So fucking take care of her.” Riven urged. “Because if you don’t, then I sure as hell will.”
I shook my head. “No…wait.”
But there was no waiting as Riven pushed his brother’s head between my legs. “Lick.”
The warmth of Kane’s breath was instant. I met Riven’s stare. The desperate need to do whatever he wanted howled and clawed inside me.
“Open your legs for him, Trouble.” Riven commanded.
As much as I wanted to fight, I couldn’t. My body obeyed a new master now…and it wasn’t me.
My legs widened as Kane’s head was pushed harder against me. Only there was no fight from Kane, no bucking against that punishing hold. Instead, he lifted his hand and slid his fingers along my slit.
“Do it.” He commanded.
Riven pushed his head harder against me. Kane dipped lower and opened his mouth.
“Helene.” Riven croaked as he grabbed my chin with his other hand and pulled me forward.
Kane gripped my thighs, spreading me apart with his thumbs as he tasted more. I couldn’t help but lean forward to meet Riven’s mouth.
Those hard lips took everything while between my legs, Kane’s tongue thrust inside. I moaned against Riven’s lips. This was just like him, grinding his brother’s face harder against my core as he stole my breath. I lowered one hand to Kane’s head and reached for Riven with the other.
The hard licks along my slit eased. Riven’s focus shifted to me, letting his brother go. He moaned into my mouth as Kane sank deeper, his hand sliding down the back of my leg, lifting until he took all he wanted. This wasn’t what was supposed to happen. I was supposed to serve them.
And yet, deep down, some part of me knew this was always going to be.
Riven.
Kane.
Me.
Desire exploded with a desperate, hard suck as Kane drew my clit into his mouth. I moaned, fisted his hair and rocked my hips. Riven broke the kiss, holding my mouth against his. “Come for us, Trouble. If this moment is all we can give you right now, then come.”
I closed my eyes as a pang of agony tore through my chest. But under all the pain came something deeper, something that tied us together. Something born from deception…and edged with lust. I kissed Riven, gripping his neck harder as my body took over.
“Come.” Riven commanded.
Soft. Full. Exploding.
I drove my hips forward as Kane gripped my ass and speared his tongue inside. I moaned into Riven’s mouth, coming harder than I’d ever come in my life. My body quivered. Warmth flooded every cell as Kane gave one last lick and lifted his head.
I moved from Riven’s mouth and looked down to where The Teacher sat on his haunches, his mouth glistening from my desire.
“That.” He started, sucking in hard breaths. “Is only a taste of what’s coming.” He pushed upwards, rising to tower over me. “The moment we get you out of that place, you are ours, Helene. I want you to understand that.”
He looked at his brother.
But he didn’t need to.
Because there was no denying what this was between us.
A deadly kind of love.
“We need to get you back to the others,” Thomas croaked, standing behind his brothers.
He’d watched it all. I shifted my focus as he licked his lips and turned away.
“He’s right.” Kane wiped the back of his hand against his mouth, then leaned in.
I wound my arm around his shoulders, kissing him deeply…holding on for one last second before the moment was gone.
I HATED the emptiness that followed. Hated watching them as I sat in that darkened theater. Hated that they hovered just out of reach as we left and headed back to our rooms. The rest of the day passed in that ache. Every brutal throb of my heart was a reminder of all the things I’d sacrificed.
I loved my family.
I’d die for them.
And yet, this…this was almost unbearable.
The lock gave a clunk, and the guard stepped away. I watched the movement through the glass section of the door. They’re taking you tomorrow. Riven’s words filled me as I sat back against the cot in the middle of the room. I sat there, replaying every word he’d said. He’d been scared, maybe more scared than I’d ever seen him.
That alone was terrifying.
The lights flickered overhead before they were gone, plunging me into darkness.
Fear followed, shaking me back into the present.
This didn’t usually happen.
Not like this and not this early.
I pushed forward, taking a step toward the door. The sound of heavy steps followed along the hallway, thud…thud…thud…
They’re taking you tomorrow.
My stomach clenched. Something was wrong…something was very wrong.
Bang!
I flinched at the sound of a gunshot and lunged forward, watching the guard outside my door stumble backward in the hallway. Blood bloomed in the center of his chest.
I slammed my hands against the door as movement came. Two of Coulter’s guards strode forward as one lifted the gun in his hand and took aim.
Bang!
Walker’s guard slumped to the floor, lying across the doorway to my room.
But it was the chilling stare of the other which found me as they both lifted their gazes to mine.
“Get her.” The one with the gun commanded.
And the other moved, snatched the keys from the dead guard’s belt, and reached for the door.
“No.” I shook my head and stumbled backwards as the lock gave way with a click. “No…no…NO!”
