Steady Rhythms of Love (Ryker Series #2)

SROL [40]

After what felt like an eternity, he pulled up in front of a run-down, abandoned apartment complex. The paint was chipped, windows were cracked, and the area eerily silent.

My pulse quickened as he parked and turned to me. His smile laced with something I couldn't quite place. Nagsimula na namang manginig ang buong katawan ko.

He leaned in closer. "I told you we needed to talk, Zara," he said quietly. "I won't let you just walk away from us like that."

My chest tightened as I took a deep breath. Sinubukan kong ayusin ang paghinga ko. Sinubukan kong kumalma.

"There is no us, Klaus," I replied. "Whatever you think this is, you're wrong. I have nothing to do with you."

"You can say that all you want. But you don't get to make that decision. You owe me a chance, Zara, after all the time I've waited."

"I don't owe you anything, Klaus. Not then, not now."

I balled my fists. Takot ako. Oo. Takot na takot. Pero hindi ko na hahayaang makita niya iyon.

"You're an addict," I stated. "You're crazy!"

Mas lalong lumakas ang tawa niya. Halos pagsisihan kong sabihin iyon nang nanlilisik ang mga mata niyang naglakad palapit sa akin. Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang pisngi ko.

"Addict? Now you gave me an idea," he smirked.

Padarag niya akong binitiwan. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin habang naglalakad siya patungo sa mesa. That's when I noticed that he had his things! He has guns, knives, and wine. Napaatras kaagad ako nang kunin niya iyong injection.

"You choose, Zara. I can't drug you. I know how it stung if you're injected with this one," seryosong sabi niya.

Marahas niyang hinawakan ang balikat ko bago niya ako buong lakas na tinulak sa kama.

"You have to—"

He stopped me from talking by pinning me down the bed. Ramdam ko na ang pananakit ng buong katawan ko dahil kanina niya pa ako pisikal na sinasaktan.

"Just once, Zara. Just once. I just want to... taste you..."

Pinikit ko nang mariin ang mga mata ko habang dinaramdam ang magaspang na kamay niyang naglalakbay na ngayon pababa sa braso ko.

I tried to distract what he's doing by talking to him. Pansin ko ang labis-labis na nagiging epekto sa kanya tuwing matapang ko siyang sinasagot. I did it. Ilang beses kong ginawa hanggang sa maabot ko iyong maliit na kutsilyo sa gilid ng kama.

And just as he was about to touch me again, buong lakas kong sinaksak sa kanya ang kutsilyo. Mabilis akong bumangon. Namumula ang mga mata niyang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin habang nakahawak sa tagiliran niyang dumudugo na.

"Don't fucking come near me," I told him, still holding the knife.

Pero nagawa niya pa ring tumawa. Nagawa niya pa ring bumangon at lumapit sa mesa... at kunin iyong baril. Shit. Hindi ko naisip 'yon!

"Don't worry, Zara. I won't still hurt you," nakangiting sabi niya habang kinakasa ang baril. "But if you're going to force me, I won't hesitate to do it. Afterall, dead or alive, I'm still going to taste you."

Mabilis niyang tinutok sa akin ang baril. Pero hindi ako nagpakita ng kahit na anong takot. Hindi ko kaya kung makikipag-agawan ako. Kahit na sabihin kong may advantage na ako dahil nasaksak ko siya, hindi pa rin ako pwedeng makampante na kaya ko na.

"Just why... are you doing this to me?" tanong ko habang nakaturo pa rin sa kanya ang hawak kong kutsilyo. Na para bang... para bang may laban iyon kung sakali mang barilin niya ako ngayon.