“Principessa, when you’re in the presence of disrespect, you keep yours. Don’t let anyone take a stepping stone away from you. You earned that spot.” I close my eyes and inhale a shaky breath. All of Papa’s life lessons and stupid one-liners somehow make sense now. I always thought I would be protected. Untouchable. I thought I was unbreakable, but in the right hands, anyone can be fragile.

“Stop being a stubborn bitch, Ruby.” His voice is just below the song that’s playing low in the background.

I don’t know who sings it, and if I had my phone, I would for sure Shazam it right now.

“Hey!” He snaps his fingers in front of my face, but when I don’t give him the attention he so desperately wants, fingers wrap around my chin, forcing my eyes onto his.

I should look back to the road. To make sure we’re not about to crash, but I can’t find the will to care.

His eyes were the first thing I noticed about him. They were dark, void of anything light, but there was an animalistic kindness to him that I thought I always felt. In the shadow of his touches, his kisses, and then other things. He… I thought he was just like me.

I was wrong.

He’s just like the rest of them.

His fingers tighten around my chin. “Put the fucking hoodie on and go to fucking sleep.”

I shove my face out of his grip, and he drops his hand to the center, cursing before hitting the radio louder.

Good. If anything, since he’s kidnapping me, he can let me sit in peace. Leaning the chair back, I curl into a ball, facing the door and fisting my hands beneath my chin.

Every single man in my life has done what Wicked is doing now. I thought he would be different. He’s worse than all the rest of them because he makes you believe he’s not like that at all. Hides his evil behind a mask, and it’s not until it’s too late when you see him.

My eyes get heavier as I close them to the sound of the tires against the asphalt. I hope that wherever he takes me, they make it quick.

I knew why he was here, but yet I watched him anyway. He’d come to the house, do shit with Papa, and then come and see me in my bedroom. I would still be awake before he would leave because why wouldn’t I? He always brought me treats. Papa said to tell him what happened after every time. I was sure it was so he could steal my treats.