Chapter 11 The Dare
Serena
“You dance beautifully.” Saint’s voice cut through the heavy silence of the cage.
He stood just outside the bars, his arms crossed over his broad chest, those seductive gray eyes locked on me with that unblinking intensity that always made my skin feel too tight.
He looked ready to claim me right there. He looked like he was one second away from ripping the gate off its hinges, dragging me against him, and reminding me exactly who I belonged to.
Sin was another story. He leaned against the wall a few feet behind his twin, shadows carving his features sharper than usual.
His jaw was clenched so tight I could see the muscle ticking. There was a dark, hungry look in his eyes, like someone had stolen his favorite toy and dangled it just out of reach.
I tore my gaze away from him before I did something stupid. Like sliding a hand down my own body over the ruined silk nightie, teasing myself just to force a reaction out of that brooding storm.
The dogs were still sitting obediently around me,
and I wondered how long I had until they changed their minds.
“I wouldn’t have had to give your killer dogs a free show if you’d stood up for me back in the kitchen,” I shot at Saint.
Saint didn’t flinch. “We wanted to prove to my mother you’re unbreakable.”
So that was the game. A twisted billionaire-family initiation: throw the “commoner” into the deep end, see if she drowns or swims. See if she’s worthy of the Rivers’ name and their empire.
“That’s what these wicked little ‘tests’ are for? To prove I’m unbreakable? What’s next? The Hunger Games? A gauntlet of ex-lovers and armed guards? Open this damn cage and let me out before your pets decide I smell tasty enough for breakfast.” My voice trembled so hard that I sounded like I was crying.
The pit bulls whined in unison at the shift in my tone, their ears flicking. The scarred pitbull rose halfway, then sat again when I didn’t move.
Saint’s expression softened, but only a fraction.
The calm mask cracked enough to show the storm underneath. “You handled it better than anyone we’ve ever brought down here. The dogs didn’t touch you. Lara’s plan backfired spectacularly.”
He stepped closer to the bars, close enough I could smell his cologne cutting through the raw-meat stink. “You sang. You danced. You turned killers into an audience. That’s not just surviving, Serena. That’s owning the room.”
Sin finally pushed off the wall. Every step radiated barely-leashed violence. He stopped beside Saint, towering, his eyes never leaving my face.
“Was it us you imagined you were dancing for? Did you imagine our hands trailing touching you, our fingers bringing you to the brink of pleasure over and over?” He asked huskily.
“Bold of you to think I have any space in my imaginations for you.” I retorted sharply.
“Do you know what it felt like for us, watching you dance like a siren from the cameras?” Sin's question sounded like an accusation. I had no idea there were CCTVs mounted inside the cage.
Heat flooded my cheeks and lower. The memory flashed in my mind, me in the dim cage-light, my eyes closed, pretending the shadows were them watching. Pretending their hands were on me instead of my own imagination.
The song lyrics still echoed in my head, doing something unholy, and now Sin looked ready to make every filthy line reality.
“Open the cage and get me out of here.” I demanded.
Sin’s lips curved, just a hint of that wicked smile finally breaking through the starvation. “Say please first.”
I glared through the bars, wishing looks could kill. “Open. The. Cage. Or I’ll throw myself at the dogs and let them hurt me.”
Saint’s eyes narrowed, surprise flickering across his usually calm features before it hardened into something darker, a challenge. “You won’t do it.”
He scoffed, his arms still crossed like he had all the time in the world. “You’re bluffing.”
I bared my teeth in a snarl that felt more animal than human. “Watch me.”
I took three deliberate steps toward the pit bulls. The scarred leader lifted his head, like he was getting ready to make a move.
“Serena, stop.” Sin's voice cracked like thunder. Did he know just how dangerous he sounded?
“They don’t treat newbies kindly. Saint, why the fuck would you dare her?”
He shot his twin a look that could’ve melted steel.
Saint ignored the scalding glare, his gaze locked on me. “Go on,” he crooned smoothly.
“Throw yourself at them. Prove you’re as brave as you claim. Show us you’re unbreakable.”
“Saint,” Sin ground out, stepping closer to the bars, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles whitened.
My stomach twisted. I hadn’t really meant it, not fully. It had been rage talking, desperation, the need to force their hands when they hesitated.
But now the dare hung between us like a live wire, and backing down felt like losing. Like proving to their mother, to Lara, to them that I was just another fragile commoner who’d crack under pressure.
I closed the last few inches of distance and planted myself right in front of the dogs. I held my breath until my lungs screamed, then squeezed my eyes shut.
Behind me, a furious snarl ripped through the air.
Sin grabbed Saint by the collar of his shirt and yanked hard enough to make the fabric tear. “You bastard,” he spat. He snatched the key from Saint’s hand in one violent motion, spun, and jammed it into the latch.
The gate flew open with a clang. Sin stepped inside first, like he was afraid the dogs would attack any moment from now.
The second his boots hit the concrete, the dogs abandoned their watchful circle around me. They swarmed him like puppies at feeding time, vying for attention.
The scarred dog butted his head under Sin’s hand, demanding pets.
Saint strolled in a beat later, hands in his pockets, wearing that infuriating half-smile, like this had all been mildly entertaining theater and he’d just watched the best act.
The dogs pivoted instantly, abandoning Sin to mob him too. Tails thumped against his thighs.
Saint laughed low, ruffling ears and scratching chins like they were overgrown lapdogs instead of trained killers.
I stared at the scene for one stunned second, at the dogs fawning over the men who’d just dared me to die, then the rage boiled over.
I shoved Sin in the chest with both hands. Hard.
He barely rocked back, but the impact made the dogs pause and look up.
“You’re a sick bastard,” I hissed, my voice shaking with fury and leftover terror. “Both of you.”
I wrapped my arms around my chest, wishing I could disappear from this place entirely.
“Don't come looking for me! I don't want to see your faces again!” I yelled, before stomping out of the cage.
I'd only made it five steps when Sin called out.
“Your next test begins by ten tomorrow, Serena.”