“One of them will catch you, bride. And when they do, I’ll enjoy watching you be tamed.”
My stomach heaves at the implication. I’m not certain what he means exactly, but it doesn’t matter. I’m going to run like fucking Forrest Gump or die trying.
Before I can come up with a response, the man releases me. I stumble back and immediately right myself, lifting my chin with a glare aimed in his direction. He ignores me and goes back to addressing the recruits.
“Remember the rules. No killing. Everything else is permissible.”
Is he talking about us? Or them in regard to each other? Neither answer gives me comfort.
I take up my spot next to June. She stares at me with stark terror gripping her features while Brenda trembles next to me. I wish I could say something reassuring to them, but nothing comes to mind. The only thing I can focus on is getting out of this contract by whatever means necessary.
“Brides,” the leader says, “your time begins in five…”
My heart lurches in my chest as I bend my knees in preparation to bolt.
“Four…”
I look at June, encouraging her without words that we can do this. Although fear is like a corset around my ribcage, making it hard for me to breathe.
“Three…”
With my fists by my sides, I stare straight ahead, ignoring the men around me. Their gazes are ravenous, like a pack of wolves about to be set on a lamb. I might be wearing white, but my soul is dark enough to give them hell.
“Two…”
Fuck this guy.
“One.”
I take off.
In that moment, I forget about everything and everyone except myself and my need for freedom. If I get out of this nightmare, I’ll be in a better position to help June and Brenda. Maybe.
The wind whistles past my ears. It blows loose strands of hair across my face, the silky pieces sticking to my lips. I don’t take the time to fix it.
Every second counts. I can’t spare a single one.
My feet pound against the earth in time with my rapid heartbeats. Every sound is now heightened. The rustling leaves. My breaths. A snapping twig. But the loudest noises are my thoughts.
Faster. FASTER. FASTER.
Ahead, the moon casts a spotlight through the treetops. It’s beautiful, peaceful, and completely at odds with the terror streaming through my body.
I continue forward, keeping my path straight to achieve the shortest distance to my goal. The forest plays tricks on my senses, casting menacing shadows on uneven terrain.
I trip and stumble. Then push through, never stopping as fear bites at my heels like a rabid animal. The forest is a blur as I weave through the natural labyrinth. However, my motivation is clear.
Don’t get caught, or I’ll face something worse than death. A complete loss of freedom.
A flash of movement catches my eye.
My heart stops. Panic takes over, and I pivot, making a hard left turn. And then another.
The recruit chasing me mimics my steps, his speed eclipsing mine. He closes the distance between us and grabs my forearm.
The pull on my arm causes me to come to an abrupt halt. Pain shoots from my shoulder like a blaze of fireworks.
“Fuck!” I gasp.
The masked figure yanks me in his direction. I lean into the momentum, spinning toward him with my other arm raised. My elbow connects with his stomach, and he grunts.
Before he can trap my arm between our bodies, I reach up and grip my hair pin. The man’s eyes widen in surprise when I drive the pointed end into the soft skin of his neck, just under the dotted mask.
The leader said no killing, but everything else is fair game, including stabbing.
“Bitch!”
His expletive is followed by a sharp inhale as his hold loosens. I capitalize on the momentary weakness and break free, ripping the hair pin from his flesh. Then I spin on my heel, only to find another masked recruit materializing right in front of me, blocking my path.
Trapped between two men, I frantically scan my surroundings for the best escape route. The first recruit quickly recovers from my attack and lunges for me. I shriek in outrage and leap back.
Just as he’s about to grab me, a blur of movement disrupts him. The newcomer knocks his arm away and plants himself by my side, so close I can feel the heat of his body.
“She’s a fighter,” the newcomer says.
Recognition zips through me like an eclectic shock.
He cocks his head and the black gashes on his mask glint under the moonlight. “You sure you can handle her?”
The other recruit with the dotted mask flips him off. “I’ll do more than handle her. I’m going to fuck the fight right out of her.”
I retreat a step. The action has both men shifting their attention to me. Despite the tremors wracking my limbs, I stand there, keeping my head held high. “Why don’t you guys fuck each other? I’m sure your holes are tighter than mine.”
The newcomer laughs. “This bride is definitely mine.”
“Fuck off, X. If you’re lucky, I’ll let you have her.” He looks at me with a narrowed gaze, his eyes blazing. “After I’ve stretched every one of her holes.”
“No names,” Xavier says, a hint of warning in his voice. “That’ll cost you.” He turns his head to stare deep into my eyes. “Run, little raptor. I’m coming for you.”
Chapter 26DELILAH
Un-fucking-believable.
Xavier and the other masked man engage in a struggle, each one trying to gain the upper hand, creating a window of opportunity for me. I sprint away from them, legs burning and lungs shuddering. The echoes of their fight follow me as I push through my discomfort and fear.
My muscles protest each step, and thorns from the underbrush cut my skin. A low-hanging branch scratches my cheek. All of these injuries are but a sample of the pain I’ll experience if I give up.
With each stride, I replay the recent interaction, all of my thoughts centered on Xavier. I recognized his voice. It’s haunted me since the other night in the parking lot when his body was pressed against mine and his whispered words grazed my ears.
I knew he was part of the fraternity, but to come face-to-face with him under these circumstances is something else entirely. Then for him to say I belonged to him while using that stupid nickname? There’s no doubt in my mind who he is.
He won’t catch me.
I force myself to go faster. The canopy of leaves overhead signals my lack of freedom. The edge of the forest can’t be too much further. I hope.
A quick glance over my shoulder reveals nothing but impenetrable darkness.
The idea of being caught makes me push my body to its limits. My chest heaves, the burning of my lungs searing me from the inside out. They spasm, robbing me of breath until I stagger, falling to my knees.
The hairpin lands in the grass beside me. I hang my head, gulping in air like a fish on land. My vision blurs with tears, and I blink them away. I can’t afford to cry, despite having every reason to.
When I lift my gaze, I gasp. The scream on my tongue never reaches the air. Xavier’s voice wraps around my throat like a fist, choking me.
“You’re beautiful on your knees, little raptor. Crawl to me and I might let you come.”
“Fuck you.”
His eyes brighten behind the mask. “That’s the idea.”