Chapter Seven
Sophia
After Grayson leaves, I change into his sweatshirt and pants, and move to wait for him in the huge living area. I start to go through the camera roll, admiring the pictures he took of me. He has a knack for capturing my curves in the best way. From these pictures, I can tell how he really feels about me.
Some of the pictures are outright comedic. Like when I tried to strike a sexy cougar pose and failed horribly. The ones he took in the kitchen make me pant just by looking at them. I can see the blatant desire in my eyes and the post-orgasm flush to my cheeks. They are truly sexy and beautiful pictures.
All of a sudden I miss Grayson. It’s only been ten minutes since he left, and already I miss his touch, his hesitant smile, his gruffness and possessiveness. His ability to make me feel safe is unrivaled. I make a mental note to take more photos of him next time so I can have something to look at when he’s not beside me.
There’s a soft, insistent knock on the door. I frown. Who could it be?
I know Grayson wouldn’t be knocking at his own house. My movements are tentative as I walk toward the door. It could be the maid. I open the door and my heart slams hard in my chest.
It’s Daryl.
“Hey, buttercup,” he says in a too-sweet voice that I always used to fall for.
Not now.
Now I know better.
Before I can react, he pushes his way in, looking around the large space with wide, greedy eyes.
What is Daryl doing here? How did he know where to find me? What does he want?
So many questions and I have no answers for them.
“Why are you here?” I ask, breaking the oppressive silence. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
His smile stays put as he finally looks at me. “I’m sorry it took me so long, Soph. When I finally got the money to get you back, they told me you’d been auctioned, even though I never agreed to that. I found out about your buyer, seems like quite a guy. Anyway, I came to get you back. I promised I’d never abandon you, didn’t I?”
I stare him down, feeling braver than before. “You mean the money you received after Grayson paid for me? You’ve spent it all, haven’t you?” The slight flare in his eyes is the only answer I need. “And now you want me back so you can sell me again. Is that right?”
He ducks his head in shame, but I know it’s all for show. A ploy to get me back.
But I’m not the Sophia he knows. “Well, I can’t go back with you. Grayson paid for me, and I belong to him now. Besides, I love it here. Grayson treats me better than anyone else ever has.”
He raises his head and a sneer twists his mouth. This is the Daryl I know. “Just listen to yourself. Are you really that stupid?” His disgust thickens his voice. “Or do you only think with your body? You think you’ve found your prince charming?” He let out an evil laugh. “Look at you, you’re dressed like a common whore. Or is that what you are now? His little whore?”
I stay silent and he continues, “What do you know about love? You’re nothing to him. Just another plaything he’ll get bored with when he’s done. No man will ever want you. The same way Mom didn’t want you. You’re the reason Dad left and the reason she’s dead,” he rants.
Normally when he goes on a rampage like this, I would try to act small and soothe him, trying to make it seem like his words don’t affect me. This time, his words are harsher. Meaner. And they only show his desperation, so I just watch him with pity.
I’m stronger now. Grayson has made me realize my strength.
“I’m not going back with you, Daryl, no matter what you say,” I declare softly. “I don’t believe a word that comes out of you. You can’t make me feel worthless. Not anymore. Grayson has shown me what it really means to be loved. I’ll never go back to that old version of myself.” My resolve is unyielding.
“I don’t care,” he says. “Now, go and get your things, if you have anything. I’ll ransack this dude’s house for cash and anything valuable.” Daryl’s tone has turned threatening.
I freeze. I don’t answer him and I don’t move. I haven’t forgotten about the dark side that he has. It’s so bad that when he comes to he doesn’t always remember his actions.
A cold sweat breaks out on the back of my neck and rolls down my back. “Daryl. Please, stop this,” I try to reason with him. I’m almost shaking now. I have the feeling that something bad is about to happen. My mind is blank, and it’s difficult getting my thoughts together into anything coherent.
He takes a threatening step toward me, and I quickly put a sofa between us. Though I doubt it will keep him away for long.
“You stupid little girl!” He raises his voice now and smashes his fist into the wall.
I jump, feeling helpless. “Daryl, you’re scaring me.” I feel tears clouding at the back of my eyes and I hate it. I feel like the helpless little girl that he thinks I am.
I know I’m a different person now, yet I can’t summon the courage to stand up to him outright.
He sighs again. “I’m sorry. You’ve always been too stupid. But haven’t I always known better? Haven’t I always looked after you? I’m telling you—this guy is bad news. I heard he paid millions for you. You think people pay that much for love ? What kind of people do you think attend those auctions? How many girls do you think he’s bought and used before you? And you’re not going to be the last.”
“You don’t know him. He’s a better person than you’ve ever been.” I feel bits of courage welling up inside me.
I need to keep him occupied.
“What?”
“You sold me to the chapel to pay for your stupid debt, even though you’re my big brother and you’re supposed to protect me from the kind of men you’re talking about. I was lucky Grayson was there to save me.”
“I promised you I would come back for you once I paid my debt. It was never my intention for you to be sold.”
“Have you paid it back?”
“What?”
“Your debt,” I say calmly. “Have you paid it back?”
He goes quiet, but I can hear the wheels turning in his head.
“You’ve known this Grayson for how long? A few days? Well, I’ve known you your entire life. I’m your brother, and I’ve always looked after you and I’m going to keep doing it. Now get— You know what? There’s no need, we’re leaving now.”
“No! I won’t go with you.” I dart my eyes around, looking for a way to escape.
“I’m not asking.” His voice is like steel. “I’m not leaving here without you. One way or another, you’re going to come with me.” He takes a step toward me.
“No, I think you should leave now.”
Before I know what’s happening, Daryl lunges forward to grab me. I gasp and try to duck back, but my movements are too slow. He catches my hand and begins to drag me toward the door. I stiffen my body and struggle to free my hand from his grip.
He turns around and throws a heavy slap across my face. The force of the slap snaps my head to the side. It almost feels as if my neck has snapped too.
I freeze in shock. Never in his episodes has he resorted to hitting me. Maybe because I was so quick to soothe him in the past.
Before I can recover from the hit, he delivers a punch to my side. I curl into a ball as he starts to kick my side and back. The image of Grayson flashes in my mind, as if he’s giving me support. I summon my inner strength and slam my leg into Daryl’s thigh with all my energy.
It works, and I watch him crumble to his knees. There’s surprise on his face at my strength, and before he realizes, I stand and dash for the kitchen. I need to find a weapon to protect myself and ward Daryl off. If it comes to it, I’ll stab him.
The thought surprises me. Since when have I been capable of such violence? I’m not proud of it, but I’d rather protect myself than allow my brother beat me up.
I hear him stampeding behind me, and as I turn around to see how close he is I crash into a kitchen stool. “ Argh !”
Daryl catches me and drags me back to the living room by my hair. I scream. The pain is excruciating, and I kick frantically into empty air. He quickly maneuvers his body and sits on top of me, pinning my hands with his knees.
I’m helpless now. He delivers two hard slaps to my face and there’s a loud ringing in my ears. Everything starts to turn hazy. I can’t give up now.
Suddenly I hear a loud bang.
Grayson’s home.