My stomach only continued to get worse as we drove down the all too familiar street to Tanner's house. The car drifted to the side of the road. Why were we pulling over? This wasn't the right house. I looked at Finnigan. He put the car in park and turned to me. "I know this is a very inopportune time, but I'm hungry."

Before he could say anything else, I pulled my hair to the side and turned my back to him. I tilted my head to the right, exposing my neck. "Or would you rather my wrist?"

We both knew he wasn't supposed to drink from my neck. That spot belonged to whoever owned the human. Finnigan had already done it once, so he clearly didn't care and at this point, I didn't either. I was a dead Pureblood walking anyway.

His breath was suddenly pulsating down my neck. I shivered. "This is perfect," he purred into my ear. "I'll try to be gentle, but we are kind of in a rush."

"I can take it. Do whatever you'd like." I whispered in response.

The initial sting of his fangs sinking into my skin was a lot worse than when he had done it in the shower. I bit my lip. I refuse to let him and Zach see I was in any kind of pain. This was for sure not the worst I've ever felt. Jared had put me through way more than this. I wondered how far he would go with his time with his punishments? He had once threatened to brand me if I tried to leave Tanner. Did my trying to run from Finnigan count toward that?

As if in an answer to my question, Finnigan bit down harder on my neck. I wasn't expecting the change in pain and let a whimper escape my lips.

Shit. I closed my eyes. Did anyone hear that? Damn it. I was doing so well with being quiet. "You're hurting her, mate." I heard Zach say behind us.

His comment made Finnigan abruptly stop drinking and pull away from me. I turned back around and faced the windshield. My hair fell over my new wound, concealing it. I tried my best to act as nothing had happened. Should I apologize for making that noise? I know Finn isn't like Jared or Tanner and more than likely doesn't care, but still, it was the polite thing to do. "Are you alright? I didn't mean to hurt you." Finnigan's voice was soft.

"Don't worry about me. I'm okay." That was nothing compared to what is going to happen to me today.

Finnigan shook his head and continued to Tanner's house without another word. I sighed. Why did I have to lie?

I couldn't help but shake as we pulled into Tanner's driveway. It was official, the closest thing I would ever have to a vacation was over.

"Stay in the car please," Finnigan ordered. He and Zach climbed out and shut their doors. I could see them out the driver's window. They were in what looked like a very serious discussion. Were they talking about me? Why wasn't I allowed to get out of the car? I decided not to dwell on it and enjoy my last few minutes of peace. I closed my eyes and thought of the short, but sweet moments Finn and I shared in the library. His care for me appeared genuine, it's a shame I'll never get to see him again after this.

The driver's side door opened and Zach peeked his head in. "Are you ready to go?"

I opened my eyes and sighed. No part of me wanted to go in. I wasn't ready. I never fully would be. "Yes, sir. " I lied.

I climbed out of the car and walked beside Zach. There was a long monotonous walk from the driveway to the house that was neatly paved with pebble stone. Every step I took was bringing me closer to inevitable pain. "Where's Finn," I blurted. It took me a moment but I noticed he was nowhere in sight.

"He went inside already. Don't worry you'll see him in a few." Zach reassured me. I bet it was awful for him to walk this slow when he had the speed all vampires were equipped with. Yet he didn't comment about it, he just walked, silent beside me.

We were almost to the door when a figure sped in front of us. Jared now stood between us and the front door. He was dressed in a gray muscle shirt that showed off his pale biceps, dark blue jeans, and black sneakers. "Jess, what are you doing out here unaccompanied?"

I turned toward Zach. Did Jared not see that I was next to him? I wasn't unaccompanied. "I, uh." I scrambled for the right words. I didn't want to argue with him, but I didn't understand how he could right. What the fuck was he talking about?

"Don't pull that shit, Chavez. You know you can see me." Zach spat.

"Oh, I can see you. It doesn't mean you matter, though. Did you forget you're banned from this household?" Jared's eyes never left me as he spoke.

"This isn't your house. Just let us through. Christopher is expecting us." Zach took a step forward. Was I supposed to follow? I didn't know they knew each other. They clearly weren't on good terms. The last thing I wanted to do was piss Jared off. I decided to stay planted in my spot.

"No. Chris is expecting her. Just because you decided to play sidekick to Finn again doesn't suddenly make you a part of anything. Jessica, come here."

Jared ordered. He snapped his fingers and pointed to the ground next to him-his usual beck-and-call for me.

I took a step toward him, but Zach blocked my path with his arm. "She's not going anywhere with you. She doesn't belong to you."

"Please let me go," I whispered. Why was he doing this? I didn't belong to him either. The whole reason we were here was to bring me back to them. Now he won't let me go?

"No, love. Stay here. I can protect you." Zach whispered back. He sidestepped in front of me. His body now completely blocked my view of Jared.

"You heard her. She wants to be with me. She knows the right choice." Jared gloated.

"You are the worst thing for her, mate. She would never pick you, over anybody." Zach's voice got louder. He was getting so worked up. Why was he trying to protect me so much? We barely knew each other. This had to be bad blood about another topic. They were using me as a pawn in their dumb drama.

"You wanna bet? Jess, I'm going to start counting. The longer it takes for you to get to me, the more pain you'll be causing yourself." Jared made it sound like a simple threat.

My heart felt like it had stopped. Zach's heroic gesture was going to get me killed. I side-stepped away from Zach. Jared was now in my view and boy did he look mad. His eyes were a dark red, and they glared right at me. Well, Jess, your plan for behaving and getting on everyone's good side was out the door.

"One." Jared began counting. He tapped his foot impatiently.

"Please trust me, love. You need to stay with me. He can't hurt you while I'm around, I promise." Zach grabbed hold of my arm. His dark gray eyes looked just as Finnigan's did when I caught him staring at me in the car. Could I trust him?

"Two."

Ugh. I didn't have time to make a new friend. God only knew what Jared was planning on doing with me after I went to him. Whatever it was, it was getting worse as I stood here anticipating it.

"Three."

Tears filled my eyes. I didn't know what to do. I mean, I did but I didn't want to do it. "I'm sorry Zach," I whispered.

"Jess, no!" Zach yelled and reached for my arm.

"Four."

I ducked past Zach's arm and sprinted to stand where Jared had directed. "Oh, it looks like you lost. How sad." Jared faked pouted.

Zach let out a low growl and bared his fangs at Jared. He took a step towards us but halted when Jared pulled me in front of him and grabbed a hold of my throat. I stared at him, helpless while my lugs were being deprived of oxygen. His look of defeat was instant. He was so worried. I had fucked up.

"It must really suck being a goody-goody, huh, Zach. You were right. I am awful. But she still chose me. Not because she likes me or because I'm better for her. She did it because she's fucking terrified of me." Jared took his hand off of my neck and I gasped for air. I should have stayed with Zach.

"You're nothing but a pussy. You have no power. All you do is prey on people weaker than you." Zach said.

Please stop talking. You're just going to make things worse.

"I was going to take her to the basement to do this, but just for that comment, I'll do it in front of you. I don't know why you care about a human you don't know, but now you can watch her suffer." Jared's voice was low and laced with hate.

No. What is he going to do? I felt my body start to tremble. "Face me," he barked. "What was the last number I said?"

I stared down at our shoes, "F-four, sir."

"That's right. Thanks to your friend over there, I'll add a fifth punch. Purely to make him feel even worse about himself. You wanna see power, Zach. I'll show you power." Jared cracked his knuckles and balled his hands into fists. "Stay still and count for me, slut."

I wanted to run. I wanted to yell for someone, anyone. I wanted to be back with Finn at the cabin. But I knew none of that was possible. Just behave Jess, this is your life, like it or not. I took a deep breath and steadied my body, preparing it for the beating I was about to endure.

The first punch is always a bitch. It landed right on my nose. I felt my body sway backward, but I caught myself before I fell. Jared told me to stay still. If I fell he would make us start all over. I just knew it.

"One." I counted out loud.

"Oh fuck off!" Zach yelled.

Jared paid no mind to his protests. He wound his arm back up and planted a right hook on my nose again. This time, a loud crack followed it and blood gushed out freely. I let out a whimper and tears started to cloud my vision.

It took everything I had not to fall to the floor. My nose was throbbing. I wanted to reach out and touch it to feel how out of place it was, but I didn't dare move. "T-two," my voice began to falter.

From behind us, the front door opened. "Mister Chavez, King McClain sent me to see if everything is alright. The girl is expected to be in the living room as soon as possible."

Jared and I both turned to see a young woman dressed in a maid's uniform. She was short and very thin, her olive skin made her green eyes pop. When she saw the blood flowing out of my nose she gasped.

Jared turned back to me. "We will finish this later. Can your small brain remember what number we are on?"

I have a bigger brain than you, dick. "Yes, sir. I can."