Cruel Kings by Skye Knight

13

Camilla

I didn’t know how long I stayed curled on the carpet. Loud, painful sobs wracked through me, my mind numb to everything around me. Only when I felt someone lifting my body off the ground, I blinked the tears away and focused on my surroundings.

Warmth seeped from the man’s chest, warming my chilled skin. A familiar scent wafted into my nostrils, comforting me in a way I didn’t understand. Slowly, I looked up and stared into Noah’s face.

His beautiful face seemed like it was carved from marble. He looked straight ahead as he carried me somewhere. I stayed quiet, too exhausted to fight anymore.

Maybe, he wanted to take his turn with me like his brothers. My body was sore, hurting, and burning, but I doubted whether he’d care. After all, Corey and Caleb didn’t.

A subtle floral scent wafted into my nostrils. Turning my head, I saw a bathtub filled with pinkish, frothy water.

Noah gently lowered me into the water.

A soft moan escaped me as the hot water came in touch with my skin. My eyes closed in pure bliss as the heat crept into my aching muscles, loosening them.

“Wash yourself,” Noah commanded, fixing his steely eyes on me. “I’ll give you fifteen minutes.”

To my surprise, he walked out of the bathroom and closed the door.

Left alone, I looked around the lavish bathroom that was the same size as the apartment I shared with my flatmate. Everything from the white marble tiles to the mahogany cabinets screamed extravagance but none of it brought me any comfort or joy.

I couldn’t stop the sobs still wracking through me. With no one around, I let myself go, letting my tears fall uncontrollably.

I slid deeper into the tub, letting the water cover me to the top of my head. My whole body needed to be washed, but no matter how long I stayed submerged in the hot, steamy water, Corey and Caleb’s touches remained on my skin.

When I could no longer hold my breath, I sat up, breathing hard. Even if I wanted to drown myself, my body wouldn’t allow me. It still wanted to live.

The hot water soothed some of the aches but the soreness in my pussy still bothered me. I probably needed some lotion or meds for it.

I didn’t know whether my fifteen minutes were up already, but I still got out of the tub and grabbed a robe. Tying the garment around me, I walked out to face Noah.

He was seated on the edge of the bed. He looked up as soon as I stepped back into the room.

Getting to his feet, he walked toward me. “Take these,” he said, extending his hand toward me.

Three pills lay on his palm.

“What are they?” I asked, wondering what fresh hell waited for me.

“The first is a sleeping pill, the second will help relieve any pain and the third is a morning-after pill.”

My eyes widened. “You even keep morning-after pills on you?” I hissed angrily. “So, I’m not the first woman you and your brothers assaulted?” A wild laugh escaped me as I snatched the pills and crammed them in my mouth, grinding them between my teeth.

Something flashed in those silvery eyes but the emotion passed too quickly for me to recognize.

“Do you do this to younger girls?” I asked, hitting him in the chest. “Are they all underage? Do you threaten and manipulate them so they’d keep quiet?”

“Yes.”

I took a step back, horror filling my senses. How could I let these horrible men charm me into liking them?

“You’re disgusting!” I spat, turning away. “It’d have been better to let your brother burn with his stupid motorcycle. There would’ve been one less monster in this world.”

His fingers gripped my forearm and whirled me around, forcing me to stumble against his chest.

“Don’t touch me!” I shouted, slapping his face.

He showed no reaction but he didn’t loosen his hold either. Bringing me closer against him, he said, “Don’t say that shit about my brothers.”

“Or what?” I demanded angrily. “You’ll hurt me again?”

He took a sharp breath and pursed his lips together. Gripping my arm, he led me toward the bed and pushed me onto it.

The soft warmth immediately comforted me. Or maybe it was the effect of the pills I’d just taken.

My exhaustion deepened, causing me to lie down.

A soft moan escaped me as my body sunk deeper into the soft mattress. The bed was amazingly comfortable.

Noah threw a blanket over me.

I grabbed it, covering myself up to my chin.

He gave me a look and proceeded to close the curtains. The dark, heavy drapes immediately blocked the sunlight seeping in, darkening the room.

My eyes closed and refused to open again. It felt so good to lose myself to the sleep overcoming me.

Noah could do what he wanted. I was sure he and his brothers would lie about my absence to Mom and Brian. It didn’t matter anyway. They were all  monsters.