Festered Lulluby: A Jerome Valeska Fanfic

#8- Fun

"As exciting as it is to have someone new among us-" Theo Galavan gave me a look of warning. I was sure he knew it wasn't my choice to be here. "We need to get down to business. I'll give you all an hour to sort out your thoughts and then we will meet back here to discuss details. Don't be late." And he was gone.

"That- that was-" I stuttered.

"Yes we all know who he is." Barbara huffed, making her way to the couch.

"Come on, an hour gives us just enough time." Jerome grabbed my hand, tore me out of the room, and back up the stairs I had used to try to escape.

"For what?" I asked curiously.

"Well, more like gives you enough time. You're whiter than a sheet, Ari!"

"I'm glad you find my mental torment amusing. Somehow I'm not surprised." I sarcastically remarked while he opened a door and ignored my comment.

"This is our room."

"You've got to be fucking me." I whined.

"Well, since you asked." Jerome grabbed my waist and pulled me into him, slamming the door shut.

"I didn't mean it like that!" I angrily spewed, trying to get away from him only for him to cling to me tighter. "I mean, why can't I have my own room?"

"You really think any of us trust you not to make another run for it?" Jerome smirked at me. "Go on, though. I dare you. Like I said, I'll be the one handing out the punishment next time you do anything irrational." He whispered in my ear seductively, planting a light kiss on my neck.

"Irrational?" I breathed the word in disbelief. "You think me trying to escape is irrational? The day I stop trying to run would be the day I'm irrational cause I'd be insane, like the rest of you." I growled at him, our faces inches apart. "Why did you bring me here if you knew I wouldn't want to stay?"

Jerome's gaze softened and he took hold of a strand of my red and brown hair, twisting it around in his fingers. He looked at me like I was a prize, a trophy to hang over his mantle.

I wanted to smack him. He tricked me into thinking he was a sensitive victim who's mother had been brutally killed. He gained my trust and I spewed things to him I hadn't even told my uncle. Now, he knew how to play me because he knew my weaknesses. I had to play this one out carefully or he could do some damage to me, I was sure of it. In fact, I knew that if I didn't get out of here as soon as possible, he'd attempt something that I would never recover from.

"I told you, I feel something when I'm around you. You're just so... enticing." He shrugged. "But you're missing something. Maybe if you let loose a bit, you would actually enjoy this."

"What even is 'this', Jerome? What have you pulled me into?"

He smiled deviously at me and tucked the strand of hair behind my ear. "It's called fun. You should totally try it sometime."

"You think I don't know how to have fun?" I grinned as he brought his fingers up to my chin. I intentionally made the question seem sensual to catch him off guard. I bit down on his fingers so hard that he let go of me with a hushed yelp. "How's that for fun?" I giggled wildly.

I had never seen Jerome look so surprised. I think I was surprised at my reaction too.

He pointed his finger at me and smiled happily at my playing along with his game. "Oh, that's the way we're gonna play, huh?"

He bounded at me and I shrieked, running to the bed and jumping on top of it. I attempted to make it to the other side with the door in sight, only to be pulled onto my back by a pair of strong arms wrapping around my stomach.