Total pages in book: 266
Estimated words: 250787 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1254(@200wpm)___ 1003(@250wpm)___ 836(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 250787 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1254(@200wpm)___ 1003(@250wpm)___ 836(@300wpm)
“Good, we’ll get started.”
I take a step back, expecting them to both rush me, tackle me to the ground, and drag me out of my home.
“I received your email, Annabelle.” The man on the other end of my phone starts. “I’m going to give you one chance to change your mind.”
I swallow nervously.
“You choose Haidyn, or you choose to quit,” he says simply.
It reminds me of Haidyn’s ultimatum. You always have a choice, doll face. And I know how that turned out.
He continues at my silence. “If you choose Haidyn, these two Lords will leave your house. But if you choose to quit…” The one on the right picks up a duffel bag and drops it on the coffee table. The same one Haidyn tied me to. “They have been given strict instructions to deliver you to the cathedral immediately by any means necessary.”
“Cathedral?” I breathe, taking another step back. The memory of me removing the brand from the woman and having to kill her comes to mind. And what if they strip me naked? They’ll see Haidyn’s name on my ass. Will they remove that one too?
“Yes, Annabelle. They will deliver you to the cathedral where you will fulfill your…duties. You will serve your Lords one way or another.”
“Haidyn,” I say without thought. It’s a no-brainer. “I’ll continue with Haidyn,” I rush out, feeling my pulse racing. Duties? The only thing I can think of when he mentions duties is an offering. Where they take women who have betrayed their Lords, tie them down, and let Lords take their turns with them. They like to cut them, make them pay in blood and screams. The lucky ones die quickly. It’s not necessarily about sex. It’s about torture in general.
“Did you hear that, Lords?” the man asks.
“Yes, sir,” they both answer again.
“You may leave.” He hangs up, and I drop my hand to my side.
They both laugh. Then one picks up his bag, and I feel their eyes on me. “She thinks she chose right.”
The other one adds, “At least I would have made you enjoy it. You think he’s not going to pass you around? That he’s not going to use you like the whore you are?” He steps forward, and I take one back. My heel trips me on the rug.
Their laughter grows as they step out of my sliding glass door, and I want to scream because, once again, I’m going to be Haidyn’s bitch.
The motherfucker doesn’t even want me! What am I supposed to do?
“GODDAMMIT!”
Falling down onto the couch, I rock back and forth as the memory of the cathedral comes to mind.
The bleach blond who sits at the opposite end of the pew stands. Before walking away, her eyes meet mine once more before exiting the front double doors.
A man’s grunts get my attention as I look back at the altar. We’re too far back for me to see anything, so I get to my feet. My father grabs my hand, but I push it away and step out into the aisle to get a better view.
The woman lies naked other than the black latex hood over her head and collar. She fights the rope that binds her to the altar like the sacrifice they’ve made her.
A man kneels on the altar between her open legs, one hand massaging her large breast while the other runs a razor blade down the middle of her already bloody chest. His hard dick is out of his undone jeans.
Three more are lined up to take their turn.
I jump when a hand is placed on my back. My eyes catch sight of the woman across the cathedral, and I hold my breath as Anne stares at me. Does she know it’s me? Will she tell my mother that my father brought me? Will he get in trouble with the Lords?
Turning around, I sprint out of the cathedral and into the cold night.
“Annabelle?” my father calls out, following.
“We should go.” I’m gasping as I rip the cloak off my body and the mask, needing fresh air.
“Annabelle,” he barks. Grabbing my shoulder, he spins me around to face him as he removes his mask with his free hand.
“Why did you bring me here?” I demand. “Why did you want me to see that?” I point at the old building.
He runs a hand through his hair before releasing a sigh. “Because…” He looks away and sucks in a long breath while I still try to catch mine. When they meet mine again, they’re as cold as I’ve ever seen them, making a shiver run up my spine. “You only see the rewards, Anna. The life me and your mother chose—the money, the cars, the gifts. This…” He points over his shoulder back to the cathedral. “This is what happens if you choose to become a Lady and are unable to be faithful.” He cups my face, and his eyes soften. “Your mother and I want very different lives for you. But if this is what you choose, I won’t allow you to go in blind. The reward isn’t worth the sacrifice unless you know what they demand in payment.”