One Two Three(47)
“I did.”
“Why, then? If that’s what you like? If that gets you off, then why run? It was too much? It was forced? It was rape? Or you agreed and got in over your head? Which of those is true?”
I fold my hands in my lap and it takes every ounce of control not to physically wring them together. “All of that.”
“Did you agree to the branding?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know who these people are?”
“Yes.”
“Are you going to protect them?”
I look up at him, perplexed. “From who?”
“From us.”
“What are you gonna do?”
“It’s up to JD.”
“I thought he was unstable? I thought he was unpredictable and violent? Isn’t that what you want me to believe?”
“He is all those things, Blue. You need to accept that as truth. But he’s not gonna let this go. He’ll keep disappearing like this until he finds what he’s looking for.”
“He went out for food.”
Ark shakes his head. “No. He’s out now because he’s compulsive. He needs to look for her. And she’s dead, Blue. We found her grave about two years ago. So what’s he looking for?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Why are you asking me all this? Why do you care? What if my situation isn’t what you think? What if I’m not involved in what you’re looking for?”
“You are.” Ark says it like it’s a fact and not a guess. “What’s he looking for?”
“Isn’t that your department? You’re the JD expert.”
“He’s looking for the people responsible for the death of that girl he knew. And he knows you came from them. Do you really think he’s just playing house with you for the fun of it? He’s using you to get information. And right now, you can bet your life he’s not getting us food. Or on his way to talk to Ray. We might as well just start making our own dinner right now, because he’s checked out for the night.”
“Then why do you let him leave?”
“I’m not his fucking mother. I’m his roommate. I’m his business partner. I’m his best friend. But I can’t tell him what to do.”
“What do you want from me, Ark? Because I really have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I don’t know why we found you there the other morning, but none of this is good. For any of us.”
“So pay me what you owe me and I’ll leave.”
Ark laughs. “You think JD’s gonna let you get away? You’re the only clue he’s found in four years of searching. You’re here. You’re part of it now. And maybe you don’t know what I’m talking about. But I’m guessing you do. So I’m telling you this as a favor.”
“Is that right?” I snarl. “You’re gonna do me a favor? Does that come before or after you break down my defenses and take advantage of me?”
“You walked right into it, Blue. I make a living off taking advantage of girls. We,” Ark stresses, “make a living off taking advantage of girls. What makes you special?”
“You’re serious?” I stand up but he pushes me back against the couch cushions.
“Sit the fuck down. Because on the off chance that JD is out getting food and shooting the shit with Ray about this week’s whores, I’m gonna make sure we’ve got this straight before he gets back.”
My heart starts beating like crazy and then my whole body breaks out in a sweat.
“Good,” Ark says, noticing my reaction. “You’re starting to understand me. Because I’m deadly serious, Blue. You’ve got two choices.” He leans down into my face. “Right here. Right now. Stick it out with us and be part of the solution. Or get the fuck out of my house. Take your whore money, get on a bus tonight, and never come back.”
I spit right in his face.
And I’m face down on the floor. He’s got my arm twisted behind my back, and I’m screaming in pain.
“Don’t fuck with me,” he growls down in my ear. His body is pressed against mine, his knee between my legs, touching my pussy.
I moan.
“You like it like this. You want me to love you this way, Blue.”
“Fuck you. How dare you talk all that shit to me earlier and then throw it back in my face.”
“How dare you ask me to love you and then slip right into JD’s arms.”
“So you’re jealous?”
“Why would I be jealous? I can take you right here on the floor and he’d never know. Because you’d like it and you’d never tell him. You’re not gonna leave, are you? You want this fucked-upness, don’t you?” My chest is rising and falling so fast, I begin to get dizzy. Ark pulls my hair. “Tell me,” he demands. “Say it. Just admit you’re in.”