Ruthless

59

"What?" I asked, bewilderment clear in my voice.

"You're not deaf, are you? Or did I stutter?" Edward sneered.

Edward was right...I had heard him perfectly. Yet I remained silent, unable to muster a response or break eye contact with him.

"Get on the floor, Faith, unless you want me to drag you down myself," he commanded with a cold threat yet chilling calmness in his voice. "You won't enjoy it, but trust me, I'll enjoy every second."

Shaken by the menace in his tone, and with no doubt about his intent. I sank to my knees, my hands trembling as they settled on my thighs. My gaze fell on my right hand, my knuckles white from gripping the fabric of my top too tightly.

"Eyes up," Edward demanded sharply. Instinctively, I obeyed, lifting my gaze to meet his.

I never thought I'd find myself envying hazel eyes until I met Edward. I know I sound obsessed, but there was something almost unfair about how gorgeous he was. "Handsome" didn't quite do him justice; he's captivating, even with that ridiculous messy hair of his.

Get a grip and focus, Faith.

"Who are you working for?" His question was blunt, his tone demanding.

A cold dread settled in my stomach. This was the moment I'd been dreading. I shook my head quickly, denying any involvement with anyone.

To my surprise, he only nodded, rather than unleashing threats or even violence. I had feared to extract the non-existent information from me.

A tense silence stretched between us for nearly two minutes before he spoke again.

"Give me one good reason not to kill you right here and now."

And here I thought he had believed and let go of the topic.

"I swear, I'm not working for anyone," I replied, my voice edged with desperation.

"Fine, let's say you're not. But you still sneak into a restricted area. Why should I believe you and your lover boy didn't plan this? Doesn't it all seem a little too convenient, him showing up here like that?"

His suspicion was understandable. I could see how it looked, but I had no idea what to say that would clear his doubts.

"I know how it seems, but please, trust me. I have no reason to plot against you. I didn't even know you before all this, and... you haven't exactly been cruel to me."

I barely whispered the last part, as I confessed the last part. I doubted he even heard it until his brows lifted slightly, so he had.

Edward uncrossed his legs, leaning back in his chair. He rested his hand on his chin, thumb brushing his lips, contemplating. When he shook his head, the faint glimmer of hope within me flickered and died.

"I'm still not convinced," he murmured.

My mind scrambled for something, anything to say, but the pressure pounding in my temples clouded my thoughts, making it hard to even think.

"SPEAK!" His voice roared impatiently. I flinched, feeling the weight of his anger.

"I don't know how to prove my innocence, but it's not what you think, I swear to God!" My voice cracked with emotion.

I had almost no hope that my words would sway him. My past trauma clawed at the edges of my mind, threatening to break through, but I fought to keep it down.

My eyes, nose, and throat burned with the urge to cry. I fought it, but tears spilled down my cheeks despite my efforts. I had always hated crying in front of anyone, and now, if the tears weren't humiliating enough, a loud sob escaped me. The humiliation only deepened.