Dark Intention

Chapter 8

Vivian

I hadn’t forgotten that night—not once in the past month. He reminded me daily, caging me in his room, caging me in his presence. School was becoming harder. I used to be clever. Sharp. But it all felt like it was slipping away. My memory was foggy, my mind constantly on edge. I was forgetting the things he had once helped me understand, now replaced by bruises and silence.

Every time I asked a question or raised my voice, it got worse. "Too lippy," he’d say. "You need to learn your place." And he taught me—in ways that shattered more than just my pride. My soul ached. I could barely think for myself. My grades were still good enough to pass, but the margin was thinning.

His brothers weren’t any better. They liked the fight in me. He was right about Fred, though. One moment apologizing, the next smirking like he owned me. He thought a meal and a few kind words could soften me up, break down my resistance. But I wasn’t about to play along. Not anymore.

I knocked on the door.

---

Fred

We’d been messing with Vivian since she moved in. Demario and I thought it was hilarious—watching her try to hold her own. She believed that she could stand up to us, thanks to the lies Alex fed her. We all helped her at first, but it was never real. Just manipulation.

And yeah, watching her in that maid outfit? It stirred things I don’t even want to admit. But it wasn’t just about that—it was control. Power.

She walked in.

"You wanted help with homework?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said, smirking. "Come in, Vivian."

She stepped in cautiously. I patted the bed. She sat—rigid, nervous. I could feel the tension. I touched her thigh, but she didn’t flinch. Not this time.

We worked quietly, efficiently. She was smart. Too smart for the s**t we put her through.

Once we were done, I leaned closer. She noticed—and immediately tried to get away. I was faster. I grabbed her, kissing her rough and uninvited. She froze. Her body stiffened—then her knee shot up, hitting me right in the groin.

I collapsed in pain, cursing, grabbing at her ankle to stop her from escaping. She hit the ground hard, crying out.

“Shut up!” I hissed, placing my hand over her mouth. “You don’t just belong to Alex. You belong to all of us.”

Her eyes were wide. Terrified. Silent tears welled up.

"Do you understand?"

She nodded.

"Say it."

"It will stay between us."

I let her go. She bolted—straight into Demario.

---

Demario

I watched her run past me, then turned toward Fred.

“What the hell did you do?”

Fred shrugged. “Just a misunderstanding.”

I didn’t buy it.

“Come on, Vivian,” I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s work on that project.”

She nodded, eyes downcast.

In my room, I closed the door behind us. She sat on the bed like she had no energy left. I pulled the materials together, trying to keep things casual. But something was wrong.

“Are you okay to start?”

She nodded, barely.

We worked in silence for a while before I finally asked, “Why did you run out of Fred’s room?”

“N-nothing. Can we please just forget it?”

“Nope,” I said gently. “Did he scare you?”

She looked up sharply. “What do you care? You’re no different.”

I flinched. That hurt—because it was true.

I placed my hands gently over hers. “You can trust me. It stays between us.”

She sighed. “He tried something. I kneed him.”

I laughed before I could stop myself—but it wasn’t funny. It was horrifying. She looked at me like I was the last person she could turn to.

“He said I didn’t just belong to Alex. I belonged to all of you.”

I went still.

“That’s not true,” I said. “You don’t belong to anyone.”

She looked away.

I leaned closer, instinctively—but she pulled back.

“W-what are you doing?” she whispered.

I paused. Looked into her eyes.

“This,” I said, pressing my lips on her and kissing her.