Chapter 3

3 The day they broke my finger, the seven guards used it as a game. Lose a round, lose a section of finger. No matter how much I begged, they didn't stop.

The memory made me shudder. I went pale, but I still shook my head and pulled my hand away.

I didn't say anything. Shane's face darkened.

I flinched, dropping to my knees and covering my head.

Before Shane could speak, Lincoln walked in, his face a mask of concern.

"Mr. Riley, remember that picture Perry sent you of her cut finger? She was delusional that day. She thought if she pretended to be hurt, you'd come and get her. That's why…"

"And that time Perry texted you about being kidnapped? It never happened. She bought some date rape drug and was going to use it on you, but you didn't come over that day…"

Shane's face grew darker with every word. He threw the bottle of antiseptic at me and slapped me hard.

"Perry, you're insane!"

"You think I wouldn't find out about these tricks? Don't you think it's disgusting? I'm practically your father! How could you fall in love with me? How could you be so sick!"

"You know why I didn't come? Because I knew you were faking! You're a rich girl. No one's going to kidnap you!"

I fell to the floor, the pain in my stomach twisting into nausea. I vomited blood, mixed with shards of glass Lincoln and the others had forced me to swallow the night before.

Shane's anger faltered. He rushed over to me, but Lincoln stepped in front of him.

"Stop pretending, Perry. You've pulled the fake vomiting trick a dozen times in the past two years. Don't punish Mr. Riley just because he slapped you! He cares about you. He's doing this for your own good."

"You're always using your supposed illnesses to get his attention. Don't you think that's a little much?"

He pulled me into his arms.

His touch made my skin crawl. I went white, trembling uncontrollably, biting my tongue hard, my mind blank. I couldn't even think of a way to fight back.

Shane yelled, his voice raw.

"Perry! You really are crazy!"

"Get back to the prayer room! No one is to give her anything to eat! I'm going to break her of this behavior!"

They threw me back in the prayer room. I spiked a fever that night.

They found me the next day and took me to the hospital.

I woke up three days later. Lincoln sat by my bed, peeling an apple. He sneered when he saw my eyes open.

"So the little slut finally wakes up? I told Mr. Riley that my kids miss you and I need to take you home. He'll agree. My brothers and I, we miss you something fierce."

"I just couldn't stand it, you know? You, all high and mighty. An orphan, treated like a princess. We worked our asses off and all we got was your scorn. You deserve everything you get."

My blood ran cold. I trembled, shrinking back against the bed in terror.

Memories flooded my mind. The baby from two years ago… I never gave birth. The night they gave me to Lincoln and the others, they ripped the baby out of me and fed it to their dogs.

"Perry, we're not done with you yet."

Lincoln smiled. He dropped the apple and stabbed himself in the stomach with the fruit knife, then collapsed dramatically.