Chapter 13 #4
I shudder at the very thought. Tobias would probably love making me suffer like that.
He'd delight in it more than usual because I've pissed him off. I’m starving, but I can last a lot longer, no problem. I refuse to give in to either of them. Either I get to go back to my normal predictable life, or I’m not talking or eating, and not in a million years fucking.
The scent of bacon tickles my nose. I imagine the fluffy eggs that wait for me and my mouth waters.
Theo remains at the door, waiting for me.
Eyes on every micromovement. I get up, stomp to the bathroom and hop in the shower.
Even though this entire place is probably the size of a mansion, I feel claustrophobic.
You could add a hundred rooms and make every single one worthy of royalty, and it would still be my prison.
I've walked the property line and the house so much in these last ten days, I'm shocked I haven't worn my own track into the place.
I thought about running, but Theo is always right behind me wherever I go.
There is no question about who is faster, and who knows, he might punish me, too.
I tried to convince him on day one to just take me home, but he refuses to go against Tobias.
This place has no neighbors, no passing cars, and no people.
It’s lonely. I felt more connected when I was living out of my car.
I miss the hustle and bustle of the city, but mainly I miss the people, watching as they go about their lives.
I miss Tom. But now more than ever, especially since I haven't spoken in over a week and am tormented by my own thoughts, I miss my mother. My life is lonely and small without her in it. It’s a load I can never share with others.
I climb out of the shower, sliding the door open. Theo leans against it, waiting for me. I shove past him. "Tobias is on his way home."
I freeze in place. The last three days have been peaceful without him around.
The struggle is always when he is around because I want to yell down at whatever shit he spouts.
I've settled for glaring at him but it isn't the same satisfaction as screaming my head off at him.
I dress fast, but with the last button, I can't help but hear the crackle of the rocks in the driveway as a car pulls in.
Theo leaves to greet him. I take the opportunity to lock the door behind him, praying he won't want to break it. I just want to be left alone. I’m never lucky enough for that. He stomps up the stairs. He doesn't even knock, just kicks the door in. I gasp, shielding myself from the splinters.
He glares at me through the hole, eyes on the verge of blackness. "Imogen, we're talking right now," he snarls, and I know this time I can't avoid him.
I jump to my feet. But I’m too late. Tobias is already through the door and yanking my arm. “Why aren’t you eating?” He shakes my arm with each word, his fingers dug into my flesh.
“I want to go home,” I reply, ignoring his question and trying to pull my arm free. His grip is too strong, and his arm doesn't even move, like pulling on a brick wall.
“That’s not an option, you know this already,” Tobias growls, his grip increases and I wince. His eyes flick between their usual blue to black onyx. He pulls me toward the door, intending to take me down the stairs.
“Tobias, let go. You're hurting me.” He uncurled his hand, and I breathe in a breath of relief. I really should have known better. He grabs my entire body, throwing me over his shoulder caveman style. I smacked his back once and only managed to hurt my own hand. Tobias slaps my bare ass and I jump. The sting is intense and makes my eyes water. He didn’t hold his strength back.
"Tobias," Theo scolded. “You didn’t need to smack her that hard.” Fire resides on my ass in the five-fingered print I’m certain is left behind. I’m going to have a welt, the fucking bastard.
“She has to learn,” Tobias simply replies.
“I’m not a fucking child! You don’t just go smacking people like that. It fucking hurt, dickhead.” I consider hitting him again, but I'd only bring myself more pain.
Tobias ignores my tirade, taking me to the kitchen and placing me on a stool. In front of me is the breakfast Theo made, now as ice cold as its creator. "Eat, or I will force feed you."
“Like hell you will. I’m not doing anything you want, Tobias.
” He punches the island bench, making me jump.
I refuse to back down and stand, storming back out.
I know he won't hurt me, at least not intentionally.
I plop on the couch and turn the TV on. Theo and Tobias argue in the kitchen, loudly.
I push up on the volume button, tuning them out.
But they only grow louder. Scowling, I turn the TV off, giving up and heading back to my own bedroom.
A soft knock on what remains of my door lets me know Theo is on the other side, even if I hadn't been able to see him through the hole of what had been my door. "Leave me alone, please, I'm not in the mood to chat or be treated like a child," I snap.
"Tobias," Theo pushes the other man through the door. "Tell her."
I glance between the two. Tell me what? Unease dances down my spine. What are they planning to do now? Has my thirty days been cut in half? Am I to be killed now?
Tobias shuffles forward, stopping beside my bed, glaring down at me. "If I let you go back, you're promising to grab your things, and return here. That's it."
He is crazy if he thinks I'd give up that easily. But being out? It is worth any risk. "Yes," I reply, lying through my teeth.
But Tobias must hear my heart rate pick up because he stands over me in a second.
“You’re lying.” He glares down at me, lip curled in disgust. I really am a terrible liar, now even worse with their super hearing picking up my heart rate like a damn lie detector.
“I don’t want to be here, okay? I want to go back to work. I don’t want to stay out here till I drop dead, Tobias.”
Tobias and Theo exchange a long look. Hello, eternal imprisonment. I shouldn't even bother talking to them. Tobias storms out again. Theo remains in the doorway, and Tobias shoves past him.
There is one way to make all this stop. I take a deep breath gathering the energy my mom always said is deep inside when you need to say something important. "I'll let Theo mark me," the words come out in a soft whisper. I don't want to give this up, but if it means returning to normal, I'll do it.
Tobias freezes in place before barging back past Theo again and yanking my chin up, forcing me to look at him, meeting his eyes. "Say that again."
"I will let Theo mark me, claim me, take me as his. Can I please go back if I do that?"
Tobias's rage drains out of him. "I have to go back to work. We can't now." I bite back my sigh of frustration. That isn't a no. "I will drop you off with Theo. Never leave his side until I come get you, got it?"
Really? I nod, struggling not to nod too hard. I don't want him to see how excited this makes me. I’m going back! Sure, it is like a few hours but at least I can get my mother out of that damned box. The guilt of knowing she is still there eats at me.
Theo gets me some pants and tosses them to me. I quickly slip them on and follow them both back downstairs. Tobias walks outside and hops in the car. I go to get in the back, but he winds the window down and I already know he wants me in front. I open the passenger door and slide in.
Theo comes out and jumps in the back and passes me a muffin between the seats. "Eat it," Theo orders, a sparkle in his eyes. "He's letting you go back, please, eat."
I take the muffin from his hand and take a timid little bite. My stomach growls at me, outraged I'd neglected it for two whole days. A low growl escaped Tobias, but he starts the car. I do my best to eat my muffin as he tries to kill us with his break-neck driving.
By the time we get to the apartment building, I've finished the entire thing and licked all the crumbs away. I get out of the car and the valet studies me, eyebrows drawn together, glancing over at my clothing choice. I’m still wearing a mix of their clothes, so I can see why he is confused.
Tobias leads us to my apartment and unlocks it for me, letting us in.
He gives Theo a quick kiss before grabbing me and kissing me so hard he bruises my lips. He peels away from me, smirking.
"I'm serious, behave or this will be the last time I let you out, Imogen." I nod and he saunters out the door, closing it behind him. I don't waste time, I go straight to my bedroom with Theo following behind with a suitcase.
"I'm surprised you weren't the dog," I commented as we entered the room.
"What?" Theo gave me a blank stare.
"The way you follow me around, always at my side. You're a more loyal animal than him."
Theo shakes his head, not taking my bait. "Pack what you need. We won't be coming back for a long time."
I frown, turning on my heel toward him. "But I said you could mark me, right? How long will I have to stay away from everything?"
“Probably a week till the bond kicks in. Then he will let you return to work.” Theo looks away quickly from me, not meeting my eyes.
I’ve never seen Theo nervous before. Is he lying to me?
Why do I have a sinking feeling I won’t be coming back here at all?
I don't have any other choice, though; running would be my undoing.
I'll never see daylight again; Tobias has made that clear.
I pack, throwing my clothes in the suitcase.
Theo leaves my side at some point, grabbing something for me and putting it in the suitcase.
I glance over to see the photo album and pause in my efforts.