Chapter 5

Caroline studied Bradley and suddenly realized that no matter how much he pretended, that raw, predatory edge was a part of him. It was etched into his bones. She lowered her gaze and fumbled for an excuse. "Isn't your birthday coming up? I just wanted to plan a little surprise." "Carol, you've always known what I want, haven't you?" He tightened his arms around her waist. "When are you going to make us official and give me a title?" Every year on his birthday, he would ask the same thing. She had thought that it was because he adored her. Now she suspected that he just wanted to humiliate Edmund by parading her in front of him. Caroline pushed a hand lightly against his shoulder. "Soon." She thought, "Soon we won't be anything at all." On his birthday, Bradley's friends threw him a party at a private club. As soon as Bradley and Caroline stepped into the club, someone came up and called him away. He turned back and said, "Go ahead to the private room and relax for a bit. I'll just pick someone up and be right back." She nodded and followed the server down the hall. When she opened the door, the room was dim, and cigarette haze curled in the air. A dozen men with dyed hair sat around a table, gambling. She frowned and instinctively stepped back. Just then, a tattooed hand clamped her wrist. The man checked her out and whistled. "Holy crap, she's fresh like the rumors say she is. It's our lucky night, guys!" "Let go! My boyfriend is right outside! Don't touch me!" Caroline fought to pull free, but someone shoved her onto the couch, and her head slammed into the armrest, causing her to be dizzy. She felt like a piece of meat thrown to a pack of wolves. Hands groped at her body, making her stomach twist in disgust. She struggled wildly and shouted Bradley's name, but her cry was silenced by a brutal slap across the face. Her cheek instantly swelled, and blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. "Shut up! You were delivered here by Bradley himself. Last time, he cracked Gregory's head open over a woman. We abducted the woman, and he promised us this in return." At that, the man pinched her waist and laughed lecherously. "For this price, Bradley really went for it, huh?" "Get off me! Don't touch me!" Caroline slapped his hand away, and the tears she kept fighting back finally streamed down her face. "You bitch! Why are you acting all high and mighty?" Lucian Vasquez cursed and then punched her in the gut. The pain folded her over, and she gasped for air. "Alright. Don't wreck her." Gregory Middleton, the man who seemed to be in charge, spoke up. He poured three full shots of liquor and shoved them toward her. "You ruined our mood. Drink these, apologize, and we'll let you go. Deal?" Caroline stared at the cups. She knew that they were laced with drugs. There was no way she could walk out of that room whole. What crushed her even more than the danger she was in was realizing that Bradley could actually do this to her. They had been together for four years. After all that time, anyone would have developed feelings, even if it was just out of habit. However, it seemed that he didn't have a heart at all. Her chest tightened. She clenched her fists until they ached, wiped her face, and stood. "Fine. I'll drink. But you have to keep your word." The men parted to make a path for her. Caroline stepped forward, and as she passed the doorway, she suddenly yanked it open and tried to run. "Help—" Her cry was cut short with a muffled sound. Someone had grabbed her by the hair and dragged her back. "Don't want to play nice? Fine. Have it the hard way!" Lucian sneered, forcing a glass of liquor against her lips and making her choke it down. The burning liquid made her cough. Tears and liquor smeared her face and soaked her blouse. In the chaos, someone tore at her clothes. The room erupted with whistles and jeers. Humiliation flooded through her, and silent tears slid down her cheeks. Just as despair threatened to drown her, the door was kicked open. Bradley charged in like an avenging demon. He grabbed a bottle and smashed it against the small man pinning Caroline down. The man screamed and fell. The others grabbed weapons. Bradley vaulted over the main table and pressed a knife to Gregory's throat. "Let her go, or we all die. Gregory, you've seen a lot of women. You're not one to die for pleasure, are you?"