Enduring Darkness is a dark bully romance intended for mature readers It contains violence and graphic sexual content, including dub con. If you have specific triggers, you can find the full list of content warnings at: www.authorravenwood.com/content-warnings
My eldest brother, Mikhail, is standing right on the other side, his blue eyes locked on me and his pale brows raised expectantly.I’mhalfa secondawayfromsnappingathimthatI’mactuallyreadywithtwominutes tospare,butImanageto suppresstheimpulse
PissingoffMikhailisabadidea.Especiallytoday.Sinceheistheeldest,heisinchargeoftherestofusPetrovshereat Blackwater University. And if he decides to start limiting my already limited freedomhere, all of this will have been for nothing Not to mentionthat we’re about to head backto our familyhome inthe cityfor a family meeting where we will discusswhetherIshouldstayatBlackwaterornot,whichisameetingI’mdreadingterribly.
“Overmydeadbody,”Mikhailreplies “Whichisexactlythestatewewillallendupinifeitherofthemisdriving” Mytwincousins,MaksimandKonstantin,letoutaterrifyinglysynchronizedevillaughfromsomewherebelow. Mikhailshakeshisheadinexasperationbeforejerkinghischinatme.Westartdowntowardsthefrontdoor. We’rerentingoneofthefreestandinghousesintheresidentialareaofBlackwaterUniversity.Allstudentslivehere,sothe entire area is filled with houses as well as larger buildings that contain apartments or dorm rooms. While I would have preferredtorenta place ofmyowninsteadofsharingitwithmytwobrothers andmytwocousins,Ihave toadmitthatour houseisbeautiful.
The front door lets out a clickas I lockit Mybrothers and cousins are alreadyhalfwaydownthe stone paththat cuts throughthelawnandleadstothestreet,butIdon’thurrytocatchupwiththem.Instead,IstudythemasIwalk.
I’ve seen them before, of course But because we decided that I should avoid being seen in public together with my brothersandcousins,theHuntershaven’tknownwhoIam.SinceIdon’twanttobedraggedintotheirwarwithmyfamily,I hadplannedtokeepitthatway.
Ricoandhisbrotherslookanythingbutbreakable All threeofthemaretall andmuscular Evenbiggerthanmybrothers Andtheyhaveanalmosttangibleairoflethalpowerradiatingoffthem.
ThoughRico is handsome, almostto the pointofbeingpretty, withhis brownhair thatcurls softlyand browneyes that glitteralmostgoldinthelightfromtherisingsun,thereisnomistakingthequietauthorityinhisgaze Onewordfromhim,and I’msurethegrassitselfwouldbowdown.
Almost every time I see Kaden, he is twirling a knife in his hand. He was when he rounded the corner, but he’s not anymore Now,he’sjuststandingthere,completelystill,whilestaringatme Likeapredatorsizingupitsprey AndallIcando istojuststarebackathimwithwideeyeswhilemyheartthundersinmychest,becauseIsuddenlygetthefeelingthatifIso muchasbreatherightnow,he’sgoingtoattack
The sounds ofpunches and kicks echo throughthe temperate morningair as theyfight And all Icando is to stand there uselesslyandwatch.FrustrationwellsupinsidemebecauseIdesperatelywanttohelp.ButIknowthatifIdo,Iwillonlyget intheway.
I’mnotafighter.Ididn’tenrollatthisuniversitytobecomeanassassin.TheonlyreasonI’mhereisbecauseImanagedto convince myfather that it would be better if I had some basic trainingbefore he married me off to someone he wanted an alliance with Thatway,itwouldbe more difficultfor myfuture husbandandhis familytotake advantage ofour family Or that’swhatItoldhimatleast.
ButI’mnotheretotrain I’mherebecauseIdesperatelywantedoutofanarrangedengagementbeforeitwastoolate I’m herebecauseIwantafewyearsoffreedombeforeI’mforcedintoanotherarrangedmarriage.BecauseIknowthatnomatter how much I beg, my father won’t break off my next engagement as well. The next match he makes for me will be nonnegotiable
MyheartisbeatingsowildlythatI’msureKadencanfeelit “Onemorestep,andI’llslitherthroat,”thepsychobehindmeannounces. Fromtwostepsaway,Mikhailisstaringatthetwoofuswithamixofhorror,panic,andhatredinhisblueeyes “Youmoveonemuscle,andwe’llbreakhisarm,”Maksimretorts. Isnapmygazetowardsmycousin.Hopesurgesinmychest.AntonandRicoarestandingafew stepsfromus,andfrom eachother, butthe twins have now managed to getJace downonone knee after he decided to leave himselfwide openfor MaksiminordertostopKonstantinfromreachingRicoaminuteago.KonstantinnowinsteadhasahandonthebackofJace’s neck,forcinghimtostaydown,whileMaksimispushinghisarmupatananglethatlooksverypainful Deafeningsilencehangsovertheemptystreetlikeacracklinglightningstorm. Kaden’sgriponmyarmtightens.
“Ifyoudon’ttellyourcousinstogettheirfuckinghandsoff my littlebrother,you’reabouttowatchyoursisterbleedouton thestreet,”KadendeclaresinavoicesocoldthatIswearIcanseeicespreadingacrosshisknife.
Alarmshoots up my spine, and I suddenly feel as if I have made a huge mistake I shouldn’t have masked my fear I should’veletmyvoicetremble.Ishould’velethimknowjusthowfastmypulseflutterswhenheholdsaknifetomythroat.
However, before I cando anythingto remedyit, Kadenabruptlyremoves his blade and shoves me towards Mikhail. I stumble,almostslammingintomybrother’schestbeforehishandsappearonmyarmsinstead Myleftonestillachesslightly fromKaden’sirongrip,butImakesurenottoshowit.
My already bad mood is worsening with every second in this fucking house I don’t know what the hell Rico was thinking,draggingushere.Idon’twanttogotoafuckingparty.Iwanttocutsomeoneopenandwatchthelifebleedout oftheireyes PreferablythedisrespectfullittleshitknownasMikhailPetrovwhodaredtospitonthegroundbeforemy feetthismorning.Though,hissisterwouldmakeanicesubstituteaswell.
This whole livingroomis packed withdrunkobnoxious people Infact, this whole house is Loud music thumps from severalroomsandthudscomefromupstairswherepeoplemustbeeitherdancingorfucking.Orboth.
Behindmeandtotheleft,agroupofpeopleareplayingsomekindofdrinkinggamearoundthemassivediningroomtable Several other groups are clustered together, drinkingand talkingbythe wall. Others are dancingonthe floor where there is room.Thearmchairsandthecouchoppositeoursarealloccupiedaswell.Andbecauseoftheloudmusic,everyoneisyelling inordertobeheardoverthenoiseastheytrytotalkabouttheirfuckinginconsequentialmatters
IflickaglanceatRico,whoissittingonmyleft.Heisleaningoneelbowonthearmrest,hischinrestinginhispalm,ashe staresunseeingatthewallontheothersideoftheroom ThatlostandalmostrootlesslookthatIoftenseeinhiseyesispresent now too.Iwanttobeangryathimfordraggingmetothisdamnparty,butIcan’t.Ihateitwhenhelookslikethat,becauseI knowthatthereisnothingIcandotohelphim
After scanning the roomagain, I shift my gaze to my little brother. Jace is supposed to be sitting on my right, but he alternatesbetweensitting,standing,andleaningtokisstherandomgirl besidehimsooftenthatI’msurethedarkbluecouch we’reoccupyingwillbesufferingfromwhiplashinjuriesbeforethenightisover
Jace’s chaotic and restless nature has gotten worse in the past year. And I’mpretty sure that I know why. But I can’t confronthimaboutit,becauseIknowthathewilljustgetangryanddenyit,andtheneverythingwillgotohell IsuppresstheurgetoheaveanannoyedsighandinsteadgobacktoscanningtheroomforanysignoftheRussians. All aroundme,peopledanceandlaughandflirt.Andall ofthem,evenmybrothers,wear theiremotionsplainasdayon theirfaces.Itmustbeexhausting.Feelingsomuchallthetimemustbeabsolutelyexhausting.Idon’tgetthepointofitatall.
Nextto me, the girl who was sittingonthe armrestbeside Jace slides downonto his lap instead and rolls her hips She looksincrediblysimilartotheotherrandomgirlthathefuckedlastweekend.Though,tobefair,thatmightbebecauseIdon’t careenoughtoremembertheirfaces.IknowthatJacewillgetboredofherandpicksomeoneelseinafewdays.Healways does
Whiletwirlingtheknifeinmyhand,Istalkacrosstheroom.Thecrowdpartsbeforeme.Idon’tknowifit’soutofrespect for my last name and my family’s connection to the Morelli mafia family, or if it’s simply out of fear of being cut by my spinningblade.AndIdon’treallycare.Theendresultisthesame.Theyknowtheirplaceandmoveoutofmyfuckingway.
I’mjustabouttosimplystalkbackhomewhenavoicestopsme.Orrather,a name. “Alina,” a female voice calls “You’re here!Isaw youand your brothers and cousins drive awaytogether this morning whenIwentformyrun,soIwasworriedyou’dbegoneallweekend.”
All ofmysenses sharpenas Iturntowards the source ofthe voice It belongs to Carla, the first-year who lives inthis house. Or at least one of the first-years who live here. Her dark curls are pulled up in an elaborate style, and her goldshimmeringdressglittersasshehugsasmallerfigure.
While stayingoutofAlina’s directline ofsight, Istudyher as she says somethingelse to Carla and thenlaughs before headingtowardsthedoors.Herlongblondehairripplesasshewalks.Itfallsalmostallthewaydowntothesmallofherback likeasmoothwaterfall Whichisagreatlengthforavarietyof restrainingmethods
“Alright.Alright.”Heswallowsandcastsanotherwaryglancedownatmyknifebeforebackingaway. Ireleasehisarmbutwatchtomakesurethathefollowsmyordersandgoesinside Hedoes Once he’s outofsight, Imove towards the backofthe house again. The two people inthe corner are still makingout. I stridetowardsthem
“Where’sCarla?”shedemands,hervoicesurprisinglystrong “Noidea.Ionlyusedhernameasawaytolureyouhere.Anditworked.”Icockmyhead.“AreyouandCarlafriends?” She opens her mouthto reply, butthenhesitationblows across her delicate features. Icontinue backingher towards the wall Her gaze darts around the area again, and she licks her lips Butshe doesn’tanswer myquestion As ifshe’s notsure whichanswerwouldendangerhermore.OrmaybeendangerCarla.
Shebarelyreachesmycollarbones,andshe’ssodelicatelybuiltthatIcouldsnapherneckwithonehand. Her chestrises andfalls withrapidbreaths,eachonemakingher tits brushagainstmystomach.Sheflicks another quick glancedownatthebladeinmyhand,butshesaysnothing.
Shoving that other emotion far into the deepest pits of my mind, I glance around the next corner to make sure that my thoughtshaven’tsomehowmanagedtosummonthedevilhimself.
Jane,thegirl whospoke,archesaneyebrow atmewhileLeslie,thebrown-hairedgirl nexttoher,flashesmeamocking smile.Bothofthemarefirst-yearsaswell,andeversincetheyrealizedjusthow unskilledIam,theyhavebeenbullyingme. Not the kind ofviolent physical things that Kadeninflicts onhis victims, but rather the vicious psychological stuffthat I’m prettysureonlygirlsexcelat.
Butbeforeshecancomment,Jane,whoapparentlyhasn’tnoticedourlittleexchange,speaksupagain.“Iwasn’tawarethat youwere payingattentioninanyofour classes.Letalone professor Lawson’s.” Her blue eyes shine withcontempt.“We all knowthatyou’renotheretobecomeanassassin.Sostopwastingeveryone’stimeandjustdropoutalready.”
EricWilson: Alina. Please stop ignoring my texts. I know that you read them. Can we just talk? Forafewseconds,Iconsiderignoringthistextaswell.ButthenIblowoutalongbreathandtypeareply.
Me: There is nothing to talk about Our engagement has been called off It was simply a business deal between our fathers. Nothing more.
EricWilson: That’s what we need to talk about. You can’t just call off our engagement like that.
TheWilsonfamilyisveryrichbecauseiftheirsuccessfulperfumeempire,andtheyhavelotsofconnectionsinthebusiness world. That’s whyDad wanted me to marrythe Wilsonheir. If we’re married, all of those high-payingconglomerates and powerfulbusinesspeoplewouldgotoourfamilyiftheyneededtoridthemselvesofsomecompetition
However,Erictreatedmemorelikeaglassfigurinetobeputonashelflikeatrophythananactual person.SoIbegged DadtoendtheengagementbyconvincinghimthatanyrichandinfluentialfamilywouldonlytakeadvantageofusifIwasn’t properlyprepared before enteringthe marriage. And byconvincinghimthat there are muchbetter heirs out there thanEric Wilson.Thankfully,heagreed.
Iflickaglanceattheotherstudentsclosesttous Theyallwatchusdiscreetly,butnooneintervenes Ishiftmygazetothe professor, but he is currentlyansweringquestions froma guyat the front ofthe room, so he must not have noticed what is happeningyet
“So rude.” Kadenlightlyscrapes his blade over myskinas he moves ithigher up mythroat. “Aren’tyougoingto greet me?”
I cast a desperate look at the professor, who has now finally noticed us since we’re standing up. In fact, everyone is watchingusnow Weweresplitintoseveral groupstoday,somycousinsaren’there ButIstareattheprofessor pleadingly, hopingthathewillintervene.
Kadengives me a sideways lookas he continues walkingme throughthe corridors while lazilytwirlingthe knife inhis otherhandatthesametime “Youkeepsayingthat You can’t do this You can’t do that Foraminutethere,Ithoughtyoumight actuallybesmart.Butitlookslikeyouneedamorepracticaldemonstration.”
Myheartratekicksup Idesperatelysweepmygazearoundthearea,butonlyemptyconcretecorridorsstarebackatus I trytocalmmyracingheartasKadendragsmeintothestairwellandstartshaulingmeupthestairs.
Lightfromthegoldensunglittersinhisdarkeyes,andthoughmy hairiswhippinginthewind,hisliesperfectlystyledwith not a strand out of place. His lethal muscles flex underneath his shirt as he rolls back his broad shoulders while he still continuestoeffortlesslyspintheknifeinhishand.
His hand shoots out and locks around mythroat. I jerkto a stop as myescape comes to anabrupt halt. Withmyheart poundinginmychest,IraisemypanickedgazetoKaden’sface Hesmileslikethefuckingvillainheis.
Mystomachdropsasmyheelsreachtheedgeoftheroof.ButKadendoesn’tstop.Hetakesonemorestep,forcingmeto archmybacksothathalfofmybodyisnowhangingovertheedge Myfeetarestillontheroof,buttherestofmeisn’t I immediately stop trying to pry his fingers frommy throat and instead wrap both my hands around his toned forearm, becausehisgriponmythroatisnowtheonlythingkeepingmefromfallingofftheroof.Windwhipsthroughmyhair.
“Anddon’teventhinkabouttellingyourbrothersandcousinsaboutwhatIdotoyou” I wouldn’t have done that anyway, because thentheywould just have takenawaymyfreedom. But I don’t want to tell Kadenthat,soIjustreply,“Iwon’t.Ipromise.”
For another few seconds, he justcontinues watchingme insilence Myhearthammers againstmyribs Idraw insharp, shallowbreathsaswindstugatmyclothesandwhirlthroughmyhair,makingitbrushagainstmylowerback.
Anannoyed sighescapes his lips, and his bodyshifts as ifhe is aboutto take a step forward. Alarmspikes throughme becauseIsuddenlygetthefeelingthathe’sabouttopushmeofftheroof.
Thwack Iwatchas mythrowingknife sinks into the targetacross the grass The skyis growingdarker as the sunslips below thehorizon.Iknow thatIshouldprobablygobackinsidesoon,butmymindis still churning.SoIdraw another bladeandthrowitatthetarget
I have tormented a lot of people over the years And I always get a rush of pleasure from watching their fear and humiliation.Fromwatchingthedesperationthatfloodstheirfeatureswhentheyrealizethattheyareentirelyatmymercy.But nothinglikethis
“Uh-huh.” He snorts and gives me a knowinglookwhile usinghis damnbatto motionbetweenus and the backdoor he walkedoutofwithoutmerealizingit.“ThenhowcomeIcouldjustsneakuponyoulikethis?”
“BecauseIletyou,”Ireply,andflashhimasmirk.“Becauseyou’renotathreat.” Awickedgrinspreads across his ownmouthas he points his batstraightatmychest.“Says the unarmedmantothe guy withthebat”
The grinstays onhis face, and Icanalmostsee the flames ofchaos burninhis eyes He gets restless easily These last couple ofyears more thanever. And ifhe doesn’thave anoutletfor it, he will startspiraling. So Isometimes deliberately provokefightswithhimjustsothathecangetitoutofhissystem
“Here I was, trying to be nice,” Jace says from where he’s still waiting for me on the grass “And you respond by threateningme.Someonereallyneedstoteachyousomemanners,brother.”
Warmwindsblow acrosstheparkinglot,wrappingaroundmybodylikesilk Itakeadeepbreath Becauseoftheforest close to our secluded campus, the air smells ofstone and pine trees outhere. Itshould be a calmingscent. However, Ifeel anythingbutcalmasIstandthereoutside,waitingformycousins
Pullingopenthe heavydoors, Ileave the sunlit parkinglot behind and walkinto the grayconcrete halls ofBlackwater University.Thankfully,they’recompletelyemptysinceallotherclassesstillhaveanotherfifteenminutestogo.ButImakemy waytothecanteenquickly,justincase
Ihead over to the counter and grab a tray They’re servingcod and potatoes today, whichisn’texactlymyfavorite But regardlessofwhat’sonthemenu,themealsaresomehowalwaysperfectlycookedandseasoned.Forauniversityforhitmen,I havetoadmitthattheydoservesurprisinglygoodfood
With my tray of steaming food in hand, I head over to a table to wait for my cousins and brothers. The other people scatteredacrossthevastcafeteriatalkquietly,theirmurmuringandthehumoftheairconditionertheonlysoundsthatbreakthe stillness.
Butitmakesnodifference,becausewhenIopenmyeyes,Istillfindmyownpersonaltormentorwalkingacrosstheroom. HemusthaveseenmefromthewindowswhenIwasstandingoutside,anddecidedtoleaveclassearly I knew thatstanding outintheopenlikethatwasadumbfuckingmove.
Some ofthe other students pause their conversations to watchwhentheyrealize thatKadenis headingstraightfor me. I glanceatthem.Theylookmoreeagerforashowthaninclinedtohelp.GuessI’monmyown.Again.
Asusual,Kadenisnonchalantlytwirlingaknifeinhishandashesaunterstowardsme.There’safaintsmirklurkingonhis lipsandaglintinhisdarkeyes,whichissomethingthatI’vestartedtoseemoreoftenthesepastcoupleofdays Thesightofit sends a ripple through me, and I suddenly think that I might actually have preferred it when his eyes were completely emotionlessinsteadoffullofwickedanticipationlikethis
He stops twirlinghis knife Mypulse flutters, and Icanalmostfeel the suddentensioninthe air cracklinglike lightning bolts.ButIkeepmychinupandjuststarebackathimexpectantly.Allaroundus,theroomisdeadlysilent.
EventhoughI’mnolongerlookingathisface,Icanhearthesmirkinhisvoicewhenhereplies,“Thengettoit” Metal scrapes against concrete as I pushthe chair backand stand up. It’s shockinglyloud inthe still unnaturallysilent room.
“What?”Iask,barelymanagingtokeepfromgrowlingtheword Kadenleans backinhis chair and spreads his legs, the picture ofa smugprince ofhell loungingonhis throne. Thenhe shootsapointedlookatthefloor.
Iblink,mygazedartingbetweenhisface,theconcretefloor,andtheotherpeopleinthecafeteria Noway.He’snotgoingtomakemekneelonthefloorbetweenhislegs with people watching. Isnapmygazebackuptohisface
Hearchesanexpectantbrow.
Fuck
Ibrieflyconsider whether shovingthe plate inhis face would work, butquicklydecide againstit. IfIdo that, he would probablykillmerighthereinthecanteen.Witnessesbedamned.
SinceIdon’twanttofindoutwhatKadendoeswhenheisdisappointed,Iquicklystartloweringmyselftomykneeswhile desperately trying to ignore the fact that people are staring. It’s terribly difficult, though, because whispers suddenly buzz throughthewholeroom.
“Exactly,”Antoninterjects.“Whichiswhywecan’tlethimgetawaywithit.Hewilljustkeepcomingatyouifwedo.” “No, he onlydid itbecause he was givena randomopportunity,” Ilie. “Iwas here earlyand so was he. Itwas justan improvisedreactiontoaspontaneousopportunity”
Anticipationcrackles throughmybodylike anelectric current I canpracticallyfeel it shootingthroughmybodywith everystep Itake towards the Petrovs’house. Ithas beena longtime since Ifeltthis excited aboutanything. Butever sinceImetAlina,Ihavesuddenlygottenalotofthingstobeexcitedabout Aftermylittlegameinthecafeteriatoday,Mikhailandhisweakbrotherandidiotcousinsdecidedtotakerevenge.Namely byattackingIsabella.
Konstantin, Maksim, Anton, and Mikhail arrive right in time to hear Mikhail’s voice on the video say, “Please. I’m begging for mercy for my brother ” Ragepulsesacrossalloftheirfacesastheybarreltowardsme. Pausingthevideo,Iflashthemavicioussmirk Alinaleapsoutofthewaywithayelpastheyreachus.
Fromwheresheis still standingbythenow closeddoor,Alinastares atthefiveofus withwidegrayeyes.Igiveher a blood-soakedsmilebeforeslowlyturningmyheadbacksothatI’mfacingMikhail Hiscousinstightentheirgriponme “Isthatreallyhowyouwanttostartthisnegotiation?”Iask,lockingeyeswithMikhail.
Furyflares inMikhail’s blue eyes, burninglike hellfire. Squeezinghis hands into fists, he jerks his chinat his cousins before stalkingdownthe hall The twins dragme withthemas theyfollow, haulingme into their elegantwhite kitchen Ilet them.
The distinctringingofsteel fills the air as Mikhail slides outa meatcleaver before turningbackto me. Konstantinand Maksimadjusttheirgripandthenmovemyarmssothatthey’reholdingmyhandsandforearmsonthecounter.
Furystill burns inMikhail’s eyes as he flashes me a grintinted witha bit of insanity “And it will be verydifficult to releasethevideowithouthands.”
Confusion flits across his features Across all of their faces, in fact As if their minds are trying to catch up with the directionthatthisnegotiationhasjusttaken.Whichwasofcourseentirelyintentional.
Usingtheirmomentofdisorientation,Ireachintomypocketandslideoutasmalllisteningdevicethatwillbeabletopick up any conversation they might have inside this kitchen Then I nonchalantly lean forward over the kitchen island while attachingthebugunderneaththeedgeofthecountertop.It’snotthebestlocationever,butgiventhatthisiswheretheybrought me,it’llhavetodo
“What?” I snap, my voice hardening and cracking through the air like a whip. “You’ll do what exactly?” With that mercilessexpressiononmyface,Ishootapointedlookupattheclockabovethestove “Youhavefiveminutesleftbeforethe videoisreleased.”
Hetearshisgazefromtheclockandlooksfromfacetoface Oratleasthelooksathislittlebrotherandhiscousins All threeofthemnodasiftheywanthimtotakethedeal.Mikhailflexeshishandrepeatedlyandclencheshisjaw.
“Either you leave my brothers alone and I keep the video to myself,” I say “Or I’ll ruin your future before you even graduate.”
FrustratedvoicesspilloutoverthethresholdanddriftintothewarmeveningairasIopenourfrontdoor IsighasIwalk inside and close the door behind me. Angrytensionhas beenpulsingbetweenthe walls ofour house atall times ever sinceKadenHuntershowedupthreedaysagotodeliverhisultimatum “Somethingneedstobedone,”Mikhailsnapsfromsomewhereinsideourkitchen.Evenfromouthereinthehallway,Ican hearthestraininhisvoice.“Ifhereleasesthatvideo,Iwillbe…” Hetrailsoff,butweallknowhowthatsentenceends Ruined IfKadenreleasesthatvideo,Mikhailwillberuined “I’msorry,”Antonsays,soundingmiserable. “It’snotyourfault,”Mikhailreplies Islowlysetdownmybagonthefloor,carefulnottomakeanysound. “Yes,itis,”Antonprotests “IfIhadn’tletRicograbme,you’dneverhadto ” “No,”Mikhailinterrupts.“Don’tthinklikethat.Thisisnoone’sfaultbutthefuckingHunters.”
I start throughthe hallwayand towards the staircase onsilent feet. WhenMikhail is worried, he’s more likelyto start restrictingmyfreedom WhichiswhyIwanttomakeittomyroomwithouthimnoticingme
Mikhail studies me throughnarrowed eyes for another few seconds. Buthe mustbe able to see thatI’mtellingthe truth becausehegivesmeanod Uncrossinghisarms,heblowsoutalongbreathandrakesahandthroughhisblondhair “Right,”hesays,andgivesmeatiredsmile.“Sorry.Iforgotaboutthat.”
Iscowl as the drawers onlyreveal neatstacks ofpapers and notebooks. After quicklyliftingthemto checkthatthere is nothingunderneath,Imoveontothedrawersontheotherside.Theyrevealnothingincriminatingeither.
Straightening,Iwalkovertotheclosetandthrowopenthedoor Impeccableshirtsarehanginginthereinneatrows Most ofthemareinblack,darkgray,ordarkblue,andthey’reorganizedafterfunction.T-shirtsononeside.Thinlong-sleevedshirts afterthat Thendressshirts Andsoon
Standingtherewithmyhandstillonthenowopencabinetdoor,IjustgapeatthethingsIfindinside Handcuffs and spreader bars and coils of rope. Riding crops and canes and paddles. Blindfolds and noise-cancelling headphonesandanentireassortmentofdifferentgags Andsextoys
