Falling Into Ruin.

Bring Home

[Briar’s POV]

My eyes grow wide as I stare into the golden depths of the large man that I’m pressed against. What on earth was he saying right now? Was he actually capable of doing such a thing? And why on earth wasn’t I scared out of my f*****g mind over what he just did? Was I crazy? Did I lose my sanity because of what I just experienced?

“Does your silence mean you want me to f**k you here?” The man rumbles, snapping me out of my daze. “It looks like you’re more kinky than I thought.”

“No!” I gasp, not wanting to do such a thing here. “That isn’t…”

Shit. He was being serious; what on earth was I getting myself into? All I wanted to do was escape and never see this man again. Of course, I already knew that meant that after tonight I couldn’t possibly come back to this place, not after what happened. RIP those beautiful tips.

“Then let’s get going.”

I don’t get the chance to respond before the man is tugging me, pulling me out of the room where Jeffrey’s body remains waiting for whoever this man's buddies were to come and take care of it.

What about Dave? He knew that I was in this room with him. s**t. What the hell was I supposed to say?

“What are you thinking of while you’re with me?” The man asks, snapping me out of my daze as he leads me out of the room and into the empty hall beyond. “Don’t tell me that you want to stay with your buddy.”

“No!” I hiss, not wanting to piss him off. “How could I possibly be thinking of such a thing?”

Appease him, Briar. I think inwardly. Appease him and go along with him until you can escape and then…

Then what? What would I do next? Would I report him to the police for murder? No, I couldn’t possibly do that. I was certain if I did, I would be the next one dead. Then would I repay him with my body like I promised? I didn’t think I could do that either.

“You stink of fear.” The man grumbles, pulling me into the main part of the club where things are in full swing.

“Are you saying I stink?” I bristle in annoyance.

“Is that how you interpreted what I said?”

I don’t get the chance to respond before I’m being pulled out of the club and toward the parking lot.

Nothing is said as the man leads me toward a single motorcycle, where he stops and then turns on me.

“What?” He asks when I just stare. “Are you expecting me to put you on it?”

“N-no,” I gasp, realizing just how serious my situation was becoming. “I was just…”

Dammit. What was I doing? I couldn’t possibly make it clear that I wanted to get away from him as quickly as possible. I was certain that would only piss him off, and frankly, he had no reason to keep me alive except for a quick f**k.

“Climb on,” he says slowly, handing me the single helmet. “Don’t make me say it again.”

Unable to argue, I do as I’m told and then wait as he climbs on in front of me. Instantly, his warmth begins to seep into me, and I feel my head getting fuzzy, but I shake it off and draw on all my courage.

“Um,” I say slowly, trying to think of how to ask this question without infuriating him. “Where are we…?”

“What?” He asks, looking back at me. “Are you ready to be rid of me already?”

Yes. I think inwardly, but quickly shake my head no.

“Of course not.” I manage. “I was just curious about where we were going.”

“Where do you want to go?” He asks, taking me by surprise. “Your place or mine?”

Your place or mine. That meant that he did in fact intend on claiming his payment tonight, and after that we would never meet again.

You can do this, Briar. I think inwardly, just wanting to be free and move on with my life. He’s pretty damn hot; just forget the fact he’s a cold-blooded killer.

“Well?” The man asks when I take too long to respond. “Are you going to tell me or leave the choice for me?”

“Y-your place,” I squeak, not wanting him to have my address. “We’ll go to your place.”

“Is that your final choice?” He asks, revving the bike to life. “Aren’t you afraid of being alone with me?”

Honestly, yes. I was f*****g terrified, but not as terrified as the thought of him knowing where I lived.

“No,” I respond, trying to make my voice sound confident, and to my surprise, another burst of delicious laughter escapes him, enveloping me and making my heart and body do weird things over how good it sounds and how good his body feels shaking against mine.

“You’re funny, little mate.” He murmurs so quietly I’m not sure if I heard him correctly.

“What was that?” I ask, but know that my words aren’t heard as we zoom out onto the street, ending any and all chances of talking.

The ride is a pleasant one filled with wind whipping against my hot skin and bright lights blending together like we are heading down some wormhole into a universe where there will be only the two of us. But when we reach a large brick building with many dark windows, any good feelings I had prior to this moment disappear, and my fear and unease from earlier return.

“Come on then,” the man announces, climbing off the bike and fixing his golden gaze on me. “Where is all that swagger from earlier?”

“I…” I begin, feeling my stomach beginning to churn. “I don’t think…”

I don’t get to finish my words before I’m being lifted off the bike and placed on the ground.

“Don’t worry,” he chuckles, beginning to lead me toward the building. “Do you think I actually planned on claiming payment tonight?”

“What?” I gasp, confusion rushing through me. “Didn’t you?”

“Hell no,” he huffs, heading toward a single elevator. “Sorry, but I’m not about f*****g women who don’t want to f**k me.”

No kidding. I think inwardly, feeling both annoyed and relieved.

“Then why did you bring me here?” I ask outwardly, my confusion growing. “I don’t understand.”

“You don’t need to.” He responds. “All you need to do is be good and do what I tell you. Got it? Anything else is just unnecessary, and I hate dealing with unnecessary shit."

Shivering, I try to ignore the sudden chill in his tone while contemplating whether or not I could escape without him catching me, but I don't get the chance to test it when the elevator doors open and reveal a penthouse.

I was trapped and would now have to go along with whatever it was this man was planning.