Chapter 20
Before I can walk back out again, the four block my path.
Sylvia’s face is twisted with hate, a side of her the brothers never see. “I should be the one
planning the coronation. Not you.”
“Diana chose –” I try to say.
“You should have never stuck your nose in it!” she snaps.
“The diamonds were a terrible idea, Sylvia,” I tell her. “It’s impractical. I’ve organized
parties before. It’s just a matter of experience –”
“Close the door,” Sylvia says to her minions. “Vikki, Christie, with me. Kimber, you stand
outside and keep anyone from asking too many questions.”
They move then, Kimber stepping outside, while Vikki and Christie follow Sylvia further
into the room.
“What are you going to do?” I ask, trying to keep the fear out of my throat.
Sylvia is unpredictable when she’s like this. The brothers might call me vile and conniving
but the truth is, Sylvia has beat by ten.
She holds out her hand to Christie. “Cig.”
Christie reaches into her back and pulls out a cigarette. She hands it over to Sylvia, who
puts it in her mouth.
Sylvia then holds out her hand to Vikki. “Light.”
Vikki hands her a lighter, and Sylvia lights the cigarette. She takes a puff, then blows smoke
out into the air.
“Smoking is such a dirty habit,” she says. “You really should quit, Ollie. It’s bad for your
health.”
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Chapter 20
“I don’t smoke,” I say.
“Oh?” Sylvia laughs. “Then why do you have so many burns on your arms?”
–
“I don’t “I start, but cut myself off as I realize what she intends to do.
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Sylvia gives a soulless smile. “Grab her,” she says and Christie and Vikki dart forward.
Against one of them, maybe I might have had a chance, but both of them are tougher to fight off, especially since they both can openly use their wolf strength, while I have to
repress my own.
They grab me by the shoulders and stretch out my arms.
“Such pretty skin,” Sylvia says, looking at my arms. “Truly, this hurts me more than it hurts you.” She lowers the lit end of the cigarette down to my arm.
I brace myself, yet I’m still unprepared for the searing pain. Again and again, she jabs the fiery end at me, all but stamping the cigarette out straight on my skin.
Tears well in my eyes. It burns! I’d cry out, but who would listen? Who would care?
The pain is too much. I’m already weak from continuously repressing my wolf. It’s all I can
do to hold onto consciousness, and then even that is too much.
I collapse down onto the ground, falling into darkness.
Sometime later, I slowly blink awake. I feel like I’m in a fog, and my limbs won’t move. My
cheek is pressed to the floor of the storage room, as is the rest of my front.
“Ollie!” Ella cries, seeing me. She rushes to me. “What the hell happened?”
I can’t form words. I can only look at her blearily through my lashes.
“Hold on, Ollie. I’ll get you to the doctor.”
She grabs me under the arms and tries to lift me. We don’t make it more than a few feet
before she too falls down.
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Chapter 20
I’m just dead weight, unable to help her.
“What’s going on?” Conrad asks. I glance up and see all four brothers approaching.
Are they going to hurt me too?
More tears form in my eyes, blurring my vision.
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“Give her to me,” Conrad says. He leans down and easily scoops me up into his arms in a
bridal carry.
Gods, he’s warm, and he smells so good. I curl against his chest, burying my nose into the
corner of his throat.
In the moment, I can’t think of a single reason not to.
Then, blessedly, I pass out again.
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