Total pages in book: 260
Estimated words: 245483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1227(@200wpm)___ 982(@250wpm)___ 818(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 245483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1227(@200wpm)___ 982(@250wpm)___ 818(@300wpm)
My eyes drift shut, and I already know what I’m going to see. I think of his hands on my naked body. The water felt so good. The pressure of the stream, the warmth. But his hands were a million times better. My lips part and my fingers drift over my breasts, mimicking the way his felt, but it doesn’t come close.
His tender touch was unexpected, and I loved it. I wanted more. I dreamed of him taking me.
I wanted him to lay me on the bed and not in the cage. I know he promised me, but I wish he’d broken it.
I’m snapped out of my memory by the sound of Gio approaching. Rather than shrinking back from the cage, I lean forward. I glance at the clock, and the hour is up. The hour he gave me to roam freely. He kept true to his word. I thought he would, but still, I haven’t left the cage since he put me in here.
My heart races in my chest knowing what I have planned. After the moment in the tub, I’ve been warring with myself. I want him, but I hate him. I hate myself almost as much. I’ve been waiting for the right time.
I have the bag, and I’m ready to use it. But not on myself.
On him.
I can already see my sanity slipping. Loving his touch is a symptom that I’m not well. I’m falling into the depths of madness. I’ll be shattered if I stay. I need to leave, and he has no intention of letting me go. So I have no choice. How badly I wanted him when he bathed me only proves that I’m so close to losing myself completely.
My heart lurches as the door beeps and clicks, slowly revealing Gio. I see the tray in his hand, and the cup sitting on top. And I know what I’m going to do. It makes me sick to think I can murder him.
But I need to get out. I don’t know what lies beyond the door, but I know if he at least passes out, I can use his finger to get out and run for my life.
I can have freedom.
I stare into his gorgeous blue eyes and try not to show the sadness. I try to ignore the guilt weighing down on my chest. I don’t know if this plan will work. But I think he’ll drink from the cup if I asked him to. If I accuse him of poisoning it, and I wanted him to prove that he didn’t.
I have to break eye contact as I think about how deceitful and manipulative I’m being. How wicked I am. This isn’t the person I want to be, but this is what he made me.
“Will you come out for me, princess?” he asks. I nod my head, but wait at the entrance of the cage. The blanket is next to me and the bag is opened and waiting, hidden beneath it.
“Can I have a drink?” I ask him weakly. My voice cracks, and I hate that I’m showing weakness. A cold sweat breaks out along my skin. He’s going to know I’m lying. My father always told me I was a shit liar. Anger courses through me at the thought of him. It’s been a long time since he’s been on my mind.
“Of course.” Gio sets down the tray and I take the drink in my hand. It’s tea. Hot tea. Perfect. I bring it to my lips and blow as Gio picks the tray back up. As soon as he rises and turns to place the tray on the table like he always does, I snatch the baggie and dump in the heroin.
I shove the empty baggie under the blanket quickly and spill a bit of the tea from the top. I gasp as the hot liquid splashes my skin and leaves a bit of a red mark.
“Careful,” Gio says, quickly turning back to me. I can see the concern in his expression, and it nearly breaks me.
“You poisoned it,” I say accusingly, but I can’t look him in the eye. I watch him halt in his tracks at my words.
“I haven’t poisoned anything, Grace.” He walks over to me slowly as I raise the cup up to him. He doesn’t come closer, and I stand. I step out of the cage and hold it out to him. I keep my expression level. I can’t back down now. I can’t let him see through me.
“Then drink it. Please. Drink it and prove it.” I look him in the eyes this time, and pray he doesn’t know what I’m up to.
If I’m honest, part of me hopes he'll refuse. But he takes it from my trembling grasp and lays a soothing hand on my shoulder. His thumb rubs soothing circles against my skin.