“I think we can be friends, don’t you? I’d hate for your experience here to be negative. Dark Haven can be... life changing,” he said in a deeper tone than he had used before. The lusty filled husk had ice running through my veins and the shadows in the room filling nearly every open space. I was surrounded and my breaths were coming out in ragged puffs as my head swam.
His hand landed on my thigh, the skin buzzing angrily underneath as my panic rose. He ignored my erratic breathing like this wasn’t quickly turning into a nightmare. He continued to slide his hand up my leg, pushing my skirt up inch by inch.
Day one in this place and I was already ready to escape. But then again, I never signed up to be assaulted by the man who was supposed to oversee this program.
“No,” I said. “Don’t touch me.” I tried to shove his hand away and glared up at him. My panic was rising but he was unrelenting, not giving an inch. Dread filled my stomach, and I started flailing, doing anything I could to get away.
His grip tightened, all amusement now gone. “Now, remember, I’m the one who assigns your room. Picks your activities and therapy, including experimental ones. Hell, when you leave this room, I give the recommendations, Harlow. I’d hate for you to make the wrong choice here.”
Where the fuck was Monty? Why was he allowing this to go on?
The shadows thickened around us, forcing me to focus on the man above me. He was no longer handsome but twisted. His eyes were devoid of emotion, and I knew at that moment this was common practice for him.
“Do you often rape girls to get them to comply?” I grit out through my locked jaw.
His hand gripped my throat, squeezing until my vision wavered. Spit sprayed my face as he bit out his warning.
“Watch what you say to me, Harlow. I’m your master here.” What an odd choice of words.
My entire body was rigid now as I tried to get away. I’d stand if I thought I could keep myself upright. My head was swimming already but apparently, he was done talking. A panic attack took over and I let out a whimper as he ripped my underwear off me and put them in his pocket with a triumphant grin. I vaguely registered as he tore something open, the smell of latex giving away his action. “No, no, please,” I begged him. “I’ll be good and listen, don’t do this.”
His answer was to shove me down on the leather couch and pry open my legs before slamming his hips forward, nearly ripping me apart in the process. I screamed out, but one smack from him had me quieting to a sob. I’d never felt more powerless in my life.
He didn’t bother to stop as he furiously took me on the old leather couch. He’d barely given me his name and no real information, just assaulted me instead. Despite my raging emotions, I could recognize this for what it was. This was nothing more than a power play, something to hold against me and use to keep my compliance.
No matter how hard I fought against him, begged for Monty to save me, nothing changed.
Tears ran down my face as numbness washed over me. The shadows were now pushing against us, so my only real focal point was him or the visions that plagued me.
He let out a low groan, barely lasting five minutes before he filled his condom. I didn’t move until he stepped away, not bothering to even pull my skirt back down until he retreated.
With a deep breath, I fixed myself and stood on shaking legs. There was a sharp ache with every movement, and I glared at the vile man who was using his position to abuse his patients. If he was capable of this, I shuddered to think of what else he got away with here.
“Where’s my room?” His fake charm was back in place as he smiled back like his limp dick wasn’t still hanging from his pants, a reminder of what he’d done.
“I’ve got your welcome packet here, now that we’ve got thewelcomingout of the way.” A cold shiver racked through me as his charmed words slithered out of him like the snake he was. “I think you can handle it from here. Your monthly stipend and the rules are in there.” He tucked himself away and tossed the used condom in the trash before sitting down and haphazardly shoving a folder my way. I grabbed it and stalked out of the room. The cocky bastard didn’t even bother to lock the door. “Oh, and Harlow?”
“What?” I bit out through the tears as I turned back to face him, knowing if I didn’t, it would only get worse for me. But internally, I was plotting his death and my escape. No one got to make me feel this way and get away with it. Not anymore. And as twisted as it was, I was just as angry at Monty for leaving me here alone. He’d promised I wouldn’t be.
“This can be a one-time thing, or I can use it as punishment. Your choice. I suggest you keep your mouth shut and follow your orders with precision and care. This place can either make or break you. Either way, no one would believe you over me. And if you try to run? I’ll find you. I have many friends with many resources. There’s nowhere you can go that I won’t eventually find. Take the elevator to the third floor, the nurse will be waiting.”
Welcome to Dark Haven, where we own you, body and mind.
I’vetraded one hell for another. What the fuck did I do in my past life to deserve this kind of bullshit?
The small space of the elevator had me ready to curl into a ball, but this ride felt much quicker than the previous one, with the door sliding open to reveal a nurse. Her lips pursed as she raked her eyes over me, and the pity in them told me she knew exactly what had happened. She snapped out of it in an instant and dialed the cordless phone in her hand the moment I stepped off.
“She’s here, Dr. Vane,” she reported before ending the call. The smile she turned to me was professional. “Welcome, Harlow. I’m Nurse Drew. I’m the head nurse of this floor. Let’s go meet the others.”
I just hoped they were nothing like the people I’d met so far.
ChapterThree
Hiro
Monday Afternoon
Third Floor Common Room