Girl Gone Bad by Teresa Mummert

Author:Teresa Mummert [Mummert, Teresa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, mystery
Publisher: Teresa Mummert
Published: 2023-06-14T18:30:00+00:00

TWENTY-THREE

Elijah

I watched her devour her meal, even digging out the fries in the bottom of the bag and licking the salt from her fingers. It was becoming one of my favorite things. I made a mental note to get her more messy food just so I could watch her lick herself clean.

“Now I want something else from you.”

“What is it you want?”

I tapped her temple as I leaned in closer to her. “I want what’s up here. Every deep and dark secret. Tell me a story, Bird.”

“I’m not hiding anything,” she protested.

I shook my head, rubbing my palm against the back of my neck. “Fine.” I began to walk around her when she called after me.

“Wait!”

I turned around to find her eyes watery as she worried her lip.

“I-I knew Cason was cheating on me.”

I narrowed my eyes, closing the gap between us. “Did he know you’d figured it out?”

“N-no. I mean, I don’t think he would have even cared.”

“Why didn’t you say something? Or leave him?”

“Because I didn’t want to be alone,” she confessed, a tear finally breaching her lashes and clinging to her chin. I raised my hand slowly, using my finger to wipe it away.

Her chin wobbled, not bothering to hide her vulnerability. Her hard shell was finally starting to crack, giving me a glimpse of the broken little girl inside.

“My childhood wasn’t perfect either, Bird. I get it.”

A snort escaped her and her hand flew up over her mouth to stop her giggle from erupting.

“What?” I asked, unable to keep a confused chuckle in myself.

“Yeah, no kidding.” She motioned with her hand to our surroundings. “You have me locked in a basement. I kind of assumed you’ve been through something.”

“Are we back to this again, Birdie? This should be great research for your dissertation.”

Her laughter died in her throat as the corners of her mouth tugged down. “It doesn’t seem like my chances of getting out of here alive are really that great,” she muttered, traipsing to her bed and pulling her knees up to her chest.

My eyes narrowed, watching her display. I was no stranger to manipulation. That’s how I’d gotten Bird down here in the first place. Unfortunately for her, she couldn’t use my emotions to control me if I didn’t have any.

“If you want a chance to leave here, you’re going to have to do better than that.”

Her eyes snapped to mine as she scowled. “What’s the point? Like you’re really going to just let me go? I’m screwed no matter what I do.”

“Don’t you want to know who wants you dead?” I stalked closer as she averted her gaze. “You already know, don’t you?” She didn’t respond and it took everything in me not to haul her from the bed and force the answers from her. “Look at me,” I barked, causing her to startle, her eyes finding mine, wide in panic. “If I have to torture the words from you, I will.”

“You wouldn’t do that.”

I placed my palms on the bed, leaning in close enough to still smell the musk of her excitement from earlier.

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