I don’t know if I’m relieved or disappointed when he lowers the knife to his plate and clears his throat. “Obviously, things got off track here. Let’s go downstairs now and forget any of this ever happened.”

Is that supposed to make me feel better? Because all it does is make me tremble in fear as the three of them stand, staring down at me.

CHAPTER 26

Now, I wish I had drunk the damn wine. A lot of it. While I don’t want to give anybody more of an excuse to use me, I also don’t want to be aware of what’s about to happen. Now that I’m on my way down to the basement, with the three men following me, I wish more than anything I had a way of disconnecting from this.

But now, it’s all fresh, the fear and the disgust already fighting to see which one will win out. It might end in a tie.

What are they going to do to me this time? I shudder to think, but I’m sure they won’t keep me waiting long. Nix told me his father wouldn’t touch me. Is that true, or was it only something he told me to keep me in line? I guess I’ll find out soon enough.

Just like before, James takes a seat on the center sofa, the one facing the TV. He makes no effort to pretend this is about something it isn’t—right away, he begins rubbing himself through his slacks while his sons take their seats. I stand in the middle, the coffee table now pushed out of the way to make room.

James is staring at me, eyelids lowering as he slouches in his seat to make himself comfortable. “Take off your clothes. All the way down to your skin.”

Looking at either of the guys for help would be a wasted effort, so I don’t bother. As sick as this is, I go through the motions without asking questions or hesitating, wanting to get it over with.

“Somebody is in a hurry,” James observes, chuckling. “She can’t wait to get some cock inside her, the little slut.” My hands shake as I unbutton my blouse, but I manage to open it, then slide it over my shoulders and down my arms. I turn my back to him as I unhook my bra and let it fall at my feet. Maybe if he sees my scar, he won’t want to go through with this. It’s my last hope.