Ground & Pound

by Emily Minton

  “I can’t.” I whisper, hanging my head in shame from disappointing her.

  “You can and will, whether you want to or not. This is not a discussion, there are no options. You will proceed according to the plan.” She grabs my arm and I wince as the pressure of her nails dig into my skin. “If you continue with this defiance, life will be hard or it may just end prematurely.” She roughly releases me and I stumble back awkwardly. The fact that my mother just alluded to my imminent death doesn’t escape me. She moves toward the door but stops short. “I hope he can straighten you out.” Her cutting words are flung over her shoulder before my father and my uncle enter the room.

  Their faces are creased with agitation and anger that their presence is needed. My father stands next to me, a tower of superiority and dominance. His eyes bore holes through me and his disappointment is prevalent. “Lucy, this will be more painful if you fight us.”

  Fight them? What are they going to do to me?

  They grab my arms and my fight or flight instinct kicks in. I start to thrash trying to make a run for the door. My uncle’s arm rises before his fist strikes my face. I crumple, trying to shield myself with the very arms they are restraining. I try to pull myself down to the floor but they are too strong, my shoulder screams from the pressure their hold is putting on it.

  “Stop!” I cry out, pain radiating throughout my entire arm. “Please just let me go.” I plead with them hoping they just give up on me.

  “Do I need to strike you again, girl?” my uncle seethes at me.

  I shake my head no, standing back up. That’s when I see it. The rope hanging out of my dad’s pocket. No. My blood runs cold through my veins.

  My fight comes back at double the force. I have to get away.

  “Take her, Christopher!” my uncle yells to my father. He grips both of my arms and faces me toward my uncle.

  “You will learn to do as you are told.” His fist slams into my side and if it weren’t for my father holding me up I would collapse from the pain. His blows continue in succession, each one hitting a different part of my body until every inch of my skin screams for mercy.

  My father releases me and I curl into a ball on the floor of my childhood bedroom. The childhood everyone is determined I do away with. My arms are pulled behind me and I groan in agony. Every motion causes electric pain to run through my limbs. I can feel the rope wrapping around my wrists. The constraints biting into my skin, the burn matching my aches from his fists. I’m pulled roughly across the floor to the bed.

  “You do not deserve to be comfortable. You are a sinner. You will spend tonight repenting for your indiscretions and unholy thoughts.” My father and uncle glare down at me. I can’t meet their eyes. The man who gave me life, and the one who may choose to take it away. They slam the door as they exit. The cold floor provides me no comfort as I stare up at my empty bed.

  I need to find a way out.

  An escape from the hell I’ve been sentenced to.

  I pull at the rope. With each tug, my shoulders and wrists scream for reprieve. I cry silently as I try to save myself. When I feel the rope start to loosen, my determination is reignited. I give it one last tug and a crack echoes through the room.I bite into my sweater to muffle my scream as I yell out in agony.The pain sears through me and I’m seeing spots, my vision going in and out. My wrist flops lifelessly, at the same time the lack of tension makes breaking free somewhat easier. One more tug and I’m free. The throbbing from my wrist almost causes a loud scream to rip from my mouth, but I swallow it knowing that will cause them to come in here. I crawl to the window, peeking out to see everyone standing in front of the house. I have to make a run for it.

  I slowly creep down the steps biting my lip to keep the sounds of agony threatening to pour out. My bones ache from the torture my uncle inflicted on my body. My hand touches the doorknob and I hesitate. They will surely kill me if I’m caught.

  He will end up killing you if you stay.

  I turn the knob and run as fast as I can. The rough gravel and rocks pierce my feet with each step. I feel like each movement is as loud as a crack of thunder. That’s when I see a light shine near me.

  “She’s runnin’!” Someone shouts.

  I’m dead.

  I keep running.

  I can’t be caught.

  Fight or flight, my mind races. I run.

  I keep running.

  I can’t stop.

  My lungs burn.

  My body is on fire as pain shoots through me from head to toe.

  I push on.

  It feels like I have been running forever as my feet pound the ground beneath me.

  My will slowly fades.

  That’s when I see it.

  My sanctuary.

  My hope.

  A warehouse that’s completely shaded in the darkness.

  I need to hide.

  Alexis Noelle

  Alexis Noelle lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with her husband, and three kids. On top a writing career, she is a full-time student and a full-time mom. She loves spending time with her kids, although she has to hide the computer from them when she is writing! She loves being active and being outdoors, especially if it involves any kind of shopping.

  She has always been passionate about writing. She loves to read romance books and feels like being able to lose yourself in a book is one of the more exciting aspects. The books she loves to read and write will be ones that make you feel for the characters. Alexis believes that you should have an opinion on every character in a book whether you love them, hate them, or think they are up to something.

  She also believes that the most important critic is your reader, so she loves to hear from the readers. She want her fans to be open & talk to her about what they want for the characters in the story, and what they would like to see happen.

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  Beautiful Outlaw

  Savage Outlaw MC

  By Emily Minton

  Read Free On Kindle Unlimited

  Prologue

  Losing Me

  Laura

  “Relax,” He orders, as he moves up the bed.

  He gently places his body between my legs, bringing himself closer to his goal. I fight the urge to push him away, not wanting his body anywhere near mine. Everything inside me recoils at the idea of what is about to happen. I want to kick out, force him to get off of me. Instead, I lay still and pray it will be over quickly. “I’m trying.”

  “You’ll enjoy this,” He promises, with a deceivingly sweet smile on his face.

  I nod, even though I know he is wrong. I’ll never enjoy his touch, but I don’t tell him that. Instead, I turn my head away from his leering gaze and look for something to focus on, anything to keep my mind off of what is happening to my body.

  My eyes latch onto the beautiful pink and yellow roses sitting on the nightstand. They were a gift from him, but even that couldn’t diminish their beauty. I take in every detail of the roses, trying to block out what he is doing to my body. They are a memento; something to mark how special this day should have been. I’m his wife now. Only a few hours ago, I said I do to him, a man I despise, so I could save the people I love most.

  “I’ll make it good for you,” He says, as he slides one of his hands to my most sensitive spot. Twirling his fingers, he tries to make what he’s doing pleasurable for me, but it’s not working. My body refuses to accept pleasure from his man; it only feels revulsion.

  Marcus adds more pressure, trying to coax a response from me. “You know you love my touch, Gwendolyn.”

  “Laura.” I correct him automatically.

  His hands instantly move to my forearms, squeezing them tightly.
It feels as if he’s about to snap my bones, when his hands suddenly release me. “I told you that name was never to be spoken when we’re alone. You are my wife now, and your name is Gwendolyn.”

  I nod my head again, remembering my promise from earlier. I left Laura behind when I took my vows. I can do this; I will do anything, even live a lie, for my parents. Gathering my resolve, I stammer out, “I won’t. I promise.”

  “If you do, you know who will pay,” He threatens my mother’s life without even blinking.

  I struggle to hide the anger in my voice as I say, “It won’t happen again. I swear.”

  As quick as his anger came, it disappears. His hands go back to what they were doing before my slip of the tongue. He caresses me for a moment more, before replacing his fingers with something larger. He moans as he forces himself into me, breaking through the proof of my innocence. The pain pulls a nearly silent cry of distress from my lips.

  “You feel wonderful, darling,” He says, praising me in a strangled voice.

  The pain from losing my virginity fades quickly, but it is replaced with something new: regret. He took, no, I gave him something special that was meant for the man I would someday love. Something I had saved and treasured my entire life. Thinking back, I realize that I should have given it to my ex or one of the boys from my school; anyone would be better than Marcus.

  I feel a tear run down my cheek, as I realize the dream of my special wedding night is gone. Not just that dream, all my dreams are dead. My future is mapped out for me, and there is not a thing I can do to change it. I have to give him what he wants from me, or my family will suffer.

  He’s breathing heavily as he moves in and out of me; sweat is dripping from his body onto mine. A sickening sweet stench reaches my nose, and I have to resist the urge to vomit. He continues to move above me, while I lay as still as possible. I hate the way it feels, disgusted at the knowledge that this man is now part of me. Most of all, I hate that he is now my husband.

  His lips run over mine, forcing mine open to his kiss. As his tongue invades my mouth, leaving a bitter taste in its wake, I have to once again force the bile from rising in my throat. As quickly as the kiss began, it ends. He moves his lips to my ear and sinks his teeth into it. He doesn’t hurt me; it’s more of a sting. Something that I had once found exciting with my ex-boyfriend. Just knowing that Marcus is the one doing it now causes me to shudder.

  His hand moves to my breast, massaging the un-interested peak. He moves on to my other breast, finding that one is also unresponsive to his attempts. Giving up, he focuses on his own pleasure. Moving in and out, he deepens his thrusts. The constant friction is causing a raw ache between my legs. The pain gives me something to focus on. It’s a welcomed distraction, anything to take my mind off what is happening.

  His pace starts to quicken, pounding his body against mine. I close my eyes tightly and wait for it to end. He thrusts twice more, before planting himself deep inside of me. The new sensation of him leaving part of himself in me tears another piece of me away.

  He places a gentle kiss on my lips before whispering. “I love you, Gwendolyn.”

  Laura, My name is Laura.

  Emily Minton

  USA Today Best Selling author, Emily Minton is a Kentucky native. She is proud to call the Bluegrass State home. She claims she bleeds blue–Wildcat Blue! She has been married to her husband, David, for over twenty years. They share two wonderful children.

  Emily loves to read and has more books on her kindle than most people could read in a lifetime, but she intends to read every single one. She has published nine books, but there are many more floating around in her head. She hopes to get them all on paper before long. She loves sharing her dreams with her readers.

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