“Answer me!”
My lips curled in a smile. “And if I don’t?”
His dark notes colored him from head to toe. “I’ll fucking make you.”
“Leo, c’mon,” Nicole said, a hint of panic in her voice. “She’s just stalling. She knows shit. Of course it’s Tino who played that game with Dom. Who else?”
“Are you willing to take that risk?” I provoked him. “Knowing that there might be another enemy out there, the one you should be killing for causing you all that pain?”
“You’re lying,” he said. “Again.”
“Am I? Well, I have one word for you.” I gathered all my shattered courage, knowing there was no turning back once I said it. “Filicudi.”
He snarled at me. Then he glanced at Nicole over his shoulder. “Leave us.”
Her eyes darted between us. “Why?”
“Because you’re not gonna like to watch what I’m about to do.”
Despite my attempt of staying in control, I shuddered. Would my game backfire?
“Which is what?!” she yelled.
His hand slid to the top of my shirt and his other hand joined it. Then he ripped my shirt off me, exposing my naked breasts. “This.”
I gasped, my eyes wide, quivering, fighting desperately to control my tears. Was he really going to do this? Humiliate me that much? Scar my sanity for life like that?
“What the fuck? Are you crazy?” She lunged forward. “I can’t let you rape her, you fuck.”
“Rape?” He chuckled, running the back of his hand on my breast, which sickeningly and confusingly sent a throb between my legs, as if my body refused to understand what was happening, as if it already surrendered to the fact that it truly belonged to him even without my consent. “I’m just keeping my promise.”
I dragged my gaze to his, part of me angry at his dark interpretation of what I’d perceived as the most delightful promise I’d ever been made, another part, the dark part that had always connected with and craved his, tingling in anticipation. “It’s all right.” I tried to say without crying, but it came out as a sob. “Just go.”
“No,” Nicole urged. “You can’t let him do this to you.”
“It’s not really any of your business. You’re not the only kinky person here, Nicole. Some girls like it rough.” I did my best to sound convincing despite the shaking, swallowing my fear. “So go. Give us some space. Unless voyeurism is another one of your kinks. Or perhaps you’re just curious about how Leo fucks and want to watch. In that case, you’re welcome to stay.”
She seemed like she was about to vomit one more time. “You are as sick as he is. Fuck you.”
She stormed out, and I was glad she bought my lie. Public humiliation had always been a trigger for me. Most likely for all nerds.
“Now what?” I managed to gaze at him. “You’ll show me irrefutable evidence of your brutality and sadistic disorders? You’ll rape me for information?”
“Again with that word.” His breath tickled my ear. “Didn’t we just agree I’m only keeping my promise to you? I promised no one would take your virginity but me. I’m keeping my word.” Simultaneously, he bit my earlobe and pinched my nipple. “Little bitch.”
“Not like this. Please, not like this.”
“Why now, Doc, isn’t it how you always imagined it?” He bit me harder down my neck, twisting my nipple until I screamed. “When you lie, manipulate and betray, you don’t get a say in when or how you’re fucked.”
This was my punishment. Having all what was left of my dignity stripped off me. Having all my dreams turning into nightmares coming true. Having any kind of pleasure turning into pain.
His hands came to the waistband of my slacks, and a terrible chill assaulted me. I’d never thought there would be a moment when Leo’s touch could become cringe worthy.
“What do you know about Filicudi?” he asked.
When I didn’t answer right away, he snapped open the button and roughly snatched my pants off me, pulling them down mid thighs. “Who told you about Filicudi and why?”
My tongue tied into a knot. Out of fear and regret, but also out of wanting to buy as much time as I could with him. Perhaps I could establish a bond that wasn’t easily broken. Perhaps I could change his mind and talk him out of his morbid plan.