Cruel Kings by Skye Knight

38

Camilla

People stared at me as I walked through the path leading to the exam hall. Both Corey and Caleb had their arms wrapped around my shoulder. People whispered to each other but no one dared shout out insults at me.

“Thanks for coming with me,” I whispered.

“You don’t have to thank us,” Caleb answered in a grave tone. “No one talks shit about our girl. We’ve got a reputation to maintain too.”

The possessive hint in his voice made me smile.

The last ten days went by like a breeze. Without the need to go to school or work, I spent my time studying or taking long walks along the lake.

Corey and Caleb stayed with me the whole time, only leaving me when they needed to go shopping for food. Their exams were scheduled during the same week as mine, so they ended up staying in and studying as well.

I was glad they kept their word. They treated me so well, I nearly forgot the way they tormented me. Nearly.

It would take a long time for me to forget the terror and sheer shock of the way they attacked me the first time I stepped into their home. I doubted if I could ever stay in that house and not remember.

Their kindness healed some of my wounds though. I always believed they were good underneath their monstrous masks. The last ten days were proof of that.

“Do you have to go back to your apartment?” Corey asked as we stopped at the building’s entrance.

“We can’t spend two hours commuting every day,” I said. “At least, not during exam week.” I let out a small sigh and smiled. “I already miss the lakeside.”

“I miss you,” said Corey.

Warmth flooded my chest as I gazed into his warm green eyes.

“Call us if you need anything,” said Caleb. “You know we’ve got your back.”

Before I could reply, my body immediately reacted to a new presence. Looking around Caleb, I spotted Noah. He stood a few feet away, his steely-gray eyes taking in the scene.

“Oops! Cat’s out of the bag,” Corey said, grabbing me by the shoulder and kissing my cheek.

Noah stalked forward.

“Where have you been?” he asked in a low, dangerous voice.

“None of your business,” I said.

His gaze moved up to glare at his brothers. “You lied.”

“Like she said,” Caleb drawled. “It’s none of your business where she’s been and who she’s been with.”

“She’s been with you this whole time,” Noah hissed through clenched. “I can smell her on the two of you.”

“Did you miss her?” Corey asked with a chuckle. “It’s okay to confess, bro.”

Noah scoffed. “I only worried whether I’d be questioned if she disappeared and got herself killed.”

“She could’ve been,” Caleb said in a grave tone. “You made sure someone else did your dirty job.”

“Why the hell are you talking to me like?” Noah growled. “Is her pussy that good? Are your dicks so desperate for her that you’ve forgotten your own brother?”

“Don’t insult the boys,” Corey said in a grim tone. “Also, watch out. If you don’t get that stick out of your ass soon, you’re going to regret it.”

“You’ll betray me for her?” Noah hissed through clenched teeth.

“Nobody betrayed you, bud,” said Corey. I pulled on the end of Corey’s jacket. “What’s up sugar pie?” he asked with a grin.

“It’s almost time,” I said. “I should go in now.”

“Oh?” He checked his phone. “Yeah, you guys should head in.”

“Good luck, Milla,” Caleb said and kissed my cheek.

“Yeah, break a pen or something,” said Corey, kissing me on the lips.

“People are staring,” I whispered with wide eyes.

“Let them,” said Caleb. “They’ll know not to mess with you.”

Noah bumped into me as he stalked past me.

“What an ass,” Corey muttered darkly.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled the strap of my backpack higher on my shoulder and entered the building where exams for Business Administration were taking place.

I’d never been this relaxed before an exam. For the first, I felt confident.

Thanking Corey and Caleb in my mind, I headed inside the assigned classroom.

***

I couldn’t believe how fast the week went by.

We had exams every day of the week, leaving everyone with little time to waste on anything other than revising for the next subject. Noah glared at me every time our gazes but otherwise, left me alone.

Exam week had the whole student body under its grip. Even the most troublesome kids were spending time in the library, trying to do some last-minute cramming in a bid to pass.

I looked around the room. Today was the last day of the exams. I was done writing all my answers but with twenty minutes left to go, I decided to take a second to soak at the moment.

Four intense years were finally coming to a close. When I submitted my answer sheet, I’d be officially done with college. The results and graduation ceremonies still remained, but I wouldn’t have to worry about assignments and projects ever again!

Taking a deep breath, I got to my feet and collected my paper and other things. The professor in the front glanced at me. I walked forward and reached him, handing him my paper.

It’s finally over, I thought with relief.

Feeling light as a feather, I walked out of the exam hall.

A warm breeze blew by. Looking up, I gazed at the blue afternoon sky. Spring was here. My thoughts went to Mom.

She’d been sending me photos every day. She seemed thin but otherwise, looked happy. Staying in Switzerland seemed to have made a difference in her mental health. Or maybe it was Brian’s proximity that made her smile so often.

I wanted to see her badly. Patience, I told myself. She’s coming back tomorrow. A part of me wanted her to stay in Switzerland with Brian longer. She seemed so much happier there.

Taking my phone out, I quickly sent out a text to her, telling her that my exams were finally over.

Mom didn’t text back, probably because it was still too early in Bern.

Putting my phone away, I decided to wait for Wyatt and Luke. We’d already made plans to spend the afternoon drinking at the High Five Bar to celebrate our freedom.

I lingered in the hallway, waiting for them to walk out.

A heavy hand suddenly fell on my shoulder. I jumped, whirling around immediately.

“Noah,” I gasped, staring up into his cold silver eyes.

His fingers curled around my wrist. “Come with me.” He tugged hard, forcing me to walk alongside him.

“Wait!” I shouted, struggling to free my wrist. “I need to stay here.”

He halted, turning around to face me. “What are you talking about?”

I snatched my hand back. “I’m meeting my friends.”

“There’s no need.” He made a move to grab me again but I was fast enough this time, stepping out of his reach.

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I said in a low voice. “You can’t force me.”

The intensity in his eyes made my heart pound with a mix of fear and anticipation. He looked like he wanted to throttle me and kiss me in the same breath.

“Come home tonight,” he said after a heartbeat.

“No,” I muttered stubbornly.

He took a step toward me. I backed away at once. He stalked forward but suddenly halted.

“Hey, Milla!” a familiar voice shouted from behind me. 

Turning around, I saw Wyatt hurrying over to me with Luke at his side.

Reaching me, Wyatt glared at Noah. He protectively wrapped his arm around my shoulder and stood his ground.

“What do you want from her?” Wyatt asked in a strangely deep voice.

Noah stayed silent, his gaze fixed on me. “You always make things difficult for yourself,” he said with a low sigh.

“Stop threatening her,” said Luke.

Noah’s gaze met his. “Stay away from her.”

Luke wrapped his arm around my other shoulder and lifted his chin.

Noah glowered at me one last time before turning around and walking away.

“Seriously, what’s wrong with him?” Wyatt muttered. “He’s such a creep.”

I chuckled and playfully pulled his beanie cap down.

“Hey!”

“Check with Julie,” I said with a laugh. “Tell her we’ll be over at High Five. First round’s on me, boys.”

Wyatt and Luke cheered. I was way too happy and excited to let Noah’s prickliness get in the way of celebrating the end of exams with my friends.

On the way, I texted Kendra and told her to meet us at the bar.

“Come on, guys,” I said, looking up at Wyatt and Luke. “We need to hurry or we won’t get a table.”

“Julie will meet us there in half an hour,” Wyatt mumbled, still staring at his phone. “She says I’ll regret it if I don’t get us a table.”

Luke and I laughed.

We joined a growing tide of students heading to High Five. It was one of the most popular places to hang out for the Silverlake undergrads. The drinks were cheap and they stayed open until midnight.

High Five was almost bursting to its full capacity by the time we reached the gates. Some majors finished their exams a couple of hours earlier and were already enjoying mugs of foaming beers.

It took us a long time to find a table that’d accommodate us. The place was crowded and loud, but no one seemed to care much. We were all high on the excitement of finishing our exams.

“I don’t think this is his kind of place,” Wyatt whispered in my ear.

I looked over at Luke who was wiping the rim of his beer mug. Doubt and worry were etched on his handsome face.

I gave a nod, agreeing with Wyatt. Luke was an Elite, after all. He probably hung out with his friends at the poshest clubs in town. Bars like High Five were mostly meant for low-income kids like us.

“We don’t mind if you left after a drink,” I whispered in Luke’s ear.

He turned his face around, his warm breath fanning my face. “Do you want me to leave?”

He was staring back so intently, I had to take a step back. “No,” I blurted. “It’s just...”

“What?” he urged.

“Nothing...I thought you’d want to hang out with your other friends too.”

A serious expression came over him. “They’re not really my friends. The guys you see hanging around me simply want something from me. It’s not because they like me.”

“Then, why—”

“Why do I let them hang around me when I know?”

I gave a nod.

He took a tentative sip of his beer. “I don’t want people to think I’m a lonely loser,” he said and chugged his drink. He didn’t stop until he’d finished half the glass. “I’m finally done keeping up with them. Cheers to that.” He lifted his mug.

I lifted my glass too and smiled.

Wyatt and Julie were busy whispering and giggling together. My two best friends looked like they were already drunk. Kendra floated to a nearby table, drinking with a group of her friends.

I felt Luke’s finger under my chin. He gently turned me to face him.

“What are you thinking?” he asked in a low, deep voice.

“Nothing.”

He leaned in.

“Luke...”

His face came closer, his breath hot on my skin.

I blinked, unsure whether this was something I wanted. Part of me felt confused. Was this right or wrong? Did I want to cross the line of friendship with Luke?

My phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket, making me jump in my seat. My abrupt movement broke the spell between us.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, grabbing my phone.

A new message came in through a chat message. Checking the number, I realized it was a video sent by Noah.

I pressed ‘play’.

At first, it looked like a porn clip with a girl and two guys. I almost closed it when I noticed something familiar about the people.

Fuck, I cursed silently, realizing he’d sent me a clip of me, Corey, and Caleb. This was the thing he’d taped while his brothers forced themselves on me.

I felt someone shaking me. “Hey, you okay?” Luke was staring at me closely. “Are you feeling all right?”

My phone vibrated again.

Looking down, I read the text under the video. Look toward the counter- Noah.

My head swung toward the corner. Noah stood there, easily standing out from the mass of college students in his neat, posh clothes.

“Milla?” Luke called. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry,” I said in a rush. “I need to go.”

“Wait!”

I didn’t stop but hurried through the crowd of swaying people to reach the devil standing by the bar’s counter. Rage and humiliation coursed through my veins. How could Noah play so dirty?

“You didn’t have to make it so hard on yourself,” said Noah when I reached him.

“I hate you.”

“Fine by me.”

“What do you want, asshole?”

Noah’s gaze fixed on my lips. “To clean that dirty mouth of yours.”

“Delete that video,” I said, breathing hard.

Noah grinned, his silvery eyes sparkling darkly. “Why would I do that? It’s the only thing that got you here when Luke Beckett was about to kiss you. Do Corey and Caleb know about him? I bet they’d see what a whore you are when they find out.”

“What are you talking about?” I grated through clenched teeth. “There’s nothing between me and Luke.”

“Is that the reason he’s slumming it with you and the other plebs?”

I involuntarily bit my bottom lip. Noah already figured out why Luke was here. Even I couldn’t deny his interest in me anymore.

“Follow me,” said Noah and grabbed my wrist. Before I could resist, he leaned into me and whispered, “Make a scene and I’ll share that video with everyone on my contact list. Your mother’s number is in there too.”

My eyes widened. “You wouldn’t,” I whispered.

“Wouldn’t I?” he asked with a raised brow. “You still hesitate to believe how far I’d go?”

Fear choked me. It was one thing to let people see the way he humiliated but a clip of me being having sex with my stepbrothers would destroy me. And if Mom and Brian saw it...

I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to even bear the thought of it.

“Come on,” said Noah.

I let him drag me away toward a closed door behind the counter. Hot fumes and the smell of fried food wafted into my nostrils as Noah led me down a hallway.

“Where are we going?” I asked in a hushed voice.

“A quiet place for me to punish you.”

My heart pounded against my chest. I knew exactly how he wanted to punish me.

“Don’t even think about shouting,” he said in a low voice.

“I wasn’t,” I retorted.

“Good girl.” He glanced down at me and grinned.

A shiver ran through my body. Deep throbs emanated through my core, surprising me.

How could his words make my body burn with desire? I should be feeling scared and cold, the same way as the time I was attacked by those jocks on a dark path off the library.

He pushed me through another door.

I entered a dimly lit room. The walls were covered in rows upon rows of shelves filled with tinned tomatoes, beans, and gravy. Gigantic cans of oil lined an entire shelf.

This had to be the bar’s pantry.

“Why are we here?” I whispered, staring up at Noah’s coldly beautiful face.

“You refuse to come home, Milla.” Coming to stand before me, he suddenly thrust his hips forward, slamming something hard against my belly.

I stared up at him with widened eyes.

Noah was already hard as a rock.

“You need to pay for disappearing on me,” he said, pressing his lump against my navel.

I swallowed, knowing very well how he was going to make me pay. The very idea of being taken by him in this small, dark room heightened the throbbing in my core. Anyone could walk in on us.

“Don’t pretend you’re not excited, my little whore,” he said in a low, husky voice that sent shivers all over me.

Captured by his intense gaze, I couldn’t hide the truth. 

Leaning in, he pressed his mouth against the side of my neck.

I froze, standing still in his hard embrace.

His teeth nibbled and pulled at the skin while his lips left kisses to soothe the sting.

My body shivered against his.

“Noah, please,” I moaned as his hands traced the curves of my body. It was a weak plea for him to stop. “Do you have to do this here?”

“This place is good enough for you.” He pressed our bodies together and kissed me with such ferocity I forgot where we were standing. My mind was lost to the heat and pleasure while his hands wrenched my clothes away from my body.

I shivered as the cold air skimmed over my naked skin.

“My stubborn beauty,” he said in a deep, husky voice his hands moved over my breasts, the flat of my stomach, and down between my thighs—making me gasp.

My gaze met his. His dark hair was still perfectly combed and his lips were curved in a devilish grin that made my chest tighten. Noah was a beautiful monster intent on destroying me.

Noah kissed my mouth and then trailed his lips down my chin, neck, and the tops of my breasts. His lips were warm against my cold, sensitized skin, making it feel incredible. My hands moved to push his jacket away but he stopped me.

Without warning, he spun me around. Before I could stumble, his arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me against him securely.

“I need you to stay still,” he growled from behind me, cupping my pussy with his hand. “I’m in charge here. You don’t get to touch me until I give you permission.

A moan escaped me as his palm ground against my sex.

“Don’t move,” he said, suddenly letting me go.

I shivered without his body to warm me. My arms crossed over my bare breasts as I waited for him. I didn’t even dare turn around to see what he was doing.

I heard the sound of shifting fabric, followed by his footsteps coming back toward me.

Taking my wrists, he started binding them with something soft. It was a moment before I realized he was using my long, silken scarf to tie me up.

“What are you doing?” I asked as panic flared through my chest.

“Sshh,” he whispered against my ear. “You don’t get to resist or protest.”

I exhaled a shuddering breath, knowing he was about to bring his inner demon to play.

My panic heightened, but it also filled me with thrill and anticipation. I was truly as fucked as him for enjoying this.

It wasn’t just my heart that was beating fast. My pussy was thrumming too, throbbing with the same intensity as my heartbeats.

Noah forced my arms over my head and tied the end of the scarf to a thick rope dangling from the ceiling. Excitement and adrenaline flooded my body, making me hyperaware of the scarf’s silkiness against my skin and the feel of his hot palms against my body.

Noah came to stand before me and let his gaze take in my naked body strung up before him. There was pure appreciation in his eyes, like he was admiring a piece of artwork. He walked behind me and positioned himself there.

My body shivered with anticipation.

Next moment, his palm struck my ass. The smack resounded in the quiet warehouse, echoing in every corner.

“Oww!” I cried out from the sudden slap but my core pulsed from the sharp sting of pain. Heat flared through me, and every muscle in my body tightened.

How could something so depraved feel so good?

He spanked me again, and I yelped, my body jerking at the impact.

Heat and pain flared through my skin in equal measures, but they also heightened the throbbing in my core.

I wanted to reach down and touch my pussy but couldn’t. This was the way he wanted to torture and punish me. I was a slave to him for my pleasure.

“Noah...” I moaned with need.

“You were very bad, Milla,” Noah said in a strict tone. “You disappeared without a word. You let someone I hate get close to you and touch you. I hate you but you belong to me. I need to know where you are at all times. Do you understand?”

My eyes widened, realizing just how possessive he was. I was his toy, one he loved to abuse, but hated sharing.

Noah’s hands roamed all over my body while his mouth kissed and nibbled the skin of my shoulder. My nipples hardened into rigid nubs. The cold air and the sharp sting on my ass were heightening my arousal. My pussy pulsed with need.

“I want to fucking bite and tear into you,” he said in a harsh whisper. “Do you have any idea what it takes to control myself?” He pressed his hardened erection to my ass, driving me insane with need.

“Please,” I begged breathlessly.

He leaned in, his breath hot against the side of my ear. “Please what?”

“Please,” I whispered, feeling the heat of shame and arousal. “I need you.”

His hand smacked my butt again, hard.

“Tell me exactly what you want and how you want it.”

I gasped as his hand caressed the swell of my ass. “I want your cock to fuck me,” I said with a low groan. “Please, Noah.”

He placed his hands on my ass. For a moment, I thought he’d spank me again but he surprised me by pulling apart my ass cheeks and dropping to his knees behind me.

“Oh,” I moaned, pulling on my weak restraint. The scarf chafed softly against my wrist, reminding me I was choosing to be helpless.

A hard tug would have torn the fabric away. It was me who needed the pain, torment, and pleasure he was offering me.

His hot tongue met with the top crevasse of my buttocks and trailed down to my asshole. I tensed as he circled my hole, dipping inside briefly, before moving lower.

My head lolled to the side as I hung limply before him.

I couldn’t pretend I didn’t like it and almost cried with joy when his mouth moved lower to lick between my folds. His teeth nipped my pussy lips, making my hips push back against his face.

I groaned, feeling every nerve ending humming with pleasure.

My body tightened with the build-up of a massive orgasm. Noah seemed to sense it too because he stopped lapping at my folds.

It was maddening but insanely hot at the same time to hand over my body to him, to make him solely responsible for my pleasure.

My hands itched to touch him too but I couldn’t.

He straightened up and next moment, I heard the sound of his zipper being pulled down. Pressing his body against my back, he pushed his cock between my legs.

I was already wet and dripping, swollen, and ready for him. He grabbed my ass cheeks, and with one long stroke, he impaled me with his cock.

“Oh, fuck,” he groaned as he slipped deeper inside me.

He stretched me wide and was so deep, my head swam with pleasure.

My clit throbbed hard as his bare hand spanned the front of my pussy, putting pressure on my nub, while making sure he had my hips at a good angle to allow him to drive deep.

He moved slowly at first, drawing out of me and slamming back in.

I felt every inch of him sliding between my pussy lips and then ramming into my channel, balls deep. Each penetration shoved me forward but he kept me steady on my feet by wrapping an arm around my waist.

He lowered his mouth on my shoulder, his teeth digging into my skin. My thighs trembled but my core tightened.

His fingers pressed against my clit, making my eyes roll with pleasure.

I sucked in lungfuls of the cold, musty air as sweat beaded on my forehead and neck.

His movements grew harder and faster, his hips slapping against my tender ass cheeks. My climax knotted inside me, gathering force.

A final circle on my clit was enough to make me break. My core pulsed and rippled around his cock, pleasure bursting like fireworks behind my eyelids, as I squeezed my eyes shut.

Every muscle in my body grew taut as pleasure rode through me, over and over, and I had no control over the sounds coming from my mouth.

“Ah, fuck,” Victor groaned from behind me as he rammed deep inside me. His fingers dug into my hips as he shattered completely, filling me with burst after burst of his white-hot seeds. He jerked a couple of times, little aftershocks of his orgasm that I could feel against my inner walls.

I came down from my high, panting, my head spinning, falling back to earth.

My head lolled back on his chest as he wrapped his arms around me and held me against him. A thick stream of his semen ran down my inner thigh as he pulled out of me.

The sounds of our harsh pants filled the pantry room. I couldn’t believe I willingly submitted to Noah in such a place.

His hands fumbled with the knots of the scarf around my wrists. They loosened easily and came free, allowing me to turn around to face him.

Noah’s dark hair was plastered against his sweaty forehead, a deep crimson stained his cheeks and his eyes glowed with an inner fire.

Almost unconsciously, I reached for him, wanting to hold onto him a little longer and enjoy the warmth of his body.

Noah seemed to understand my longing. Instead of letting me touch him, he pushed me away. My weak legs stumbled, my body collapsing against a shelf.

Asshole, I cursed internally.

Leaning against the shelf, I willed my breathing to slow down. My body still trembled from the aftershocks of my orgasm, not giving me an escape from him just yet.

I glanced over at Noah. He was already pulling up his trousers.

“Clean up,” he said, throwing me a roll of paper napkins from a nearby rack.

I hated him at that moment. He took what he wanted from me without sparing me a morsel of gentleness. Shame spread through me, cooling my body and heart.

It hurt to move but I grabbed my clothes littering the dusty floor of the pantry.  After I’d pulled on my top, I tore off strips of paper napkin and began cleaning between my legs.

Noah leaned against a rack and watched me.

“Hurry up,” he said. “I’m starving.”

“You don’t have to wait for me,” I said without looking at him.

“I’m treating you to a meal,” he replied. “You deserve that.”

A wry laugh escaped me. I looked at him only after I’d pulled up my jeans.

“I don’t need your charity,” I said. “Nor do I need you to pay me for fucking you. I enjoyed some of it too, you know? We’re even.”

Noah’s eyes flashed. He looked livid. I took my time donning my jacket and fixing my hair, enjoying the fact I’d been able to rile him up.

“Your mom’s coming back tomorrow,” he said in a cool tone. “How long do you think you can avoid coming back to that house?”

“I’ll speak to Brian,” I said. “Since I’m done with school now, I’ll take up more shifts at work and spend most of the time applying for jobs. I might even have to travel out of town for the interviews. There’s no good reason for me to move into that house.”

“I still have these videos,” said Noah, waving his phone in my face.

“I don’t understand you,” I said in a low, confused voice. “You want me out of your life. You don’t want me claiming anything from your father. This is me getting out of your way. What else do you want from me?”

“I don’t want you out of my sight,” he said through clenched teeth. “I like it more when I know what you’re up to.”

“Fuck you.”

Noah’s lips twisted into a devilish grin. “Sure, Milla.”

My teeth clenched together. Fuming, I turned away.

I’d merely taken a step away when his hand caught hold of my wrist and pulled me back.

“Let me go!” I hissed.

His silvery eyes bore into mine. “Stay away from Luke. Do you understand? I won’t tolerate you getting close to him.”

“It’s none of your business,” I shouted, twisting my wrist out of his hold.

“I’ll destroy you if you disobey me.”

Rage and frustration stormed inside me. He was using the evidence of that horrible incident to rule over my life. Why wasn’t he scared that video could incarcerate his own brothers too?

“I hate you,” I spat.

“I hate you too.”

Tears of rage prickled in my eyes. The sheer helplessness of the situation made me want to scream and claw at him. I’d never hated anyone as much as him in my life.

Turning away, I stomped to the door and opened it. Walking through, I slammed it shut.

I checked my phone. My friends left me several texts and missed calls, everyone asking me where I’d gone.

I was supposed to be celebrating the end of term with my friends tonight but Noah ruined everything. There was no way I could back to them now.

I texted Luke and Wyatt, telling them I was sick and needed to go home. It’s not a complete lie, I told myself, realizing I did feel sick after talking to Noah.