CHAPTER 07_A thread of passion

QUINN'S POV

His piercing eyes, once bright with laughter, now seemed like they were staring right through my soul.

For a moment, I looked at the man sitting beside me, struggling to find remnants of the little boy I once knew, but I couldn’t.

"You should have already investigated me," I continued, trying to keep my voice steady. "I was kicked out ten years ago, and I was just a child at that time."

Bryan's expression remained unyielding, his jaw clenched in a fierce determination. "Do you think you're innocent?" he spat, his words laced with venom. "Let me tell you, not a single person in your family is innocent."

Before I could respond, Bryan grasped my arm, pulling me out of the car. I stumbled, my heels scraping against the pavement. 

We were parked outside what looked like a villa, secluded and isolated. The desolate landscape and vast emptiness engulfed us.

"Bryan, please," I begged, trying to wriggle free.

He dragged me upstairs, his grip unrelenting. I stumbled, my feet barely keeping pace with his long strides. As he tossed me onto the carpet, the luxurious surroundings became a distant blur.

I scrambled to my feet, desperate to escape, but Bryan's grasp was relentless. He pinned me against the floor, his eyes blazing with anger.

"No, Bryan, stop!" I pleaded, tears streaming down my face.

But he remained unmoved, his face was like a mask of stone. I struggled, kicking and scratching, yet he subdued me with ease.

Just as exhaustion claimed me, I whispered his childhood nickname, "BRY."

The silence that followed was defeating. Bryan's gaze locked onto mine, and for an instant, I saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes.

"So, you do remember everything," he said, his voice low and threatening. "Do you remember the promise you made me too – to be my bride?"

A shiver traced down my spine as Bryan's eyes burned with a fierce passion.

"I won't let you go," he vowed, his words piercing my heart like a dagger. "I'm going to take revenge on everyone in your family, including you."

Memories came flooding back– the laughter, tears, and cherished moments. The little boy I once knew had vanished, now replaced by a ruthless stranger.

"Bryan, please," I begged, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my desperate heart.

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As I stepped out of the villa, the bright sunlight hit me like a shock after the darkness I had endured. The beautiful mansion now felt tainted, ruined by the painful memories it held. I looked around and saw the perfectly groomed gardens and the servants quietly doing their jobs.

It surprised me to see them; I thought I was alone with Bryan last night. Had they been told to stay away, or did they choose to ignore my cries for help? Their silence now felt like a betrayal.

Determined to escape, I started walking. My feet carried me far from the villa's oppressive atmosphere. The quiet was a relief, but my mind was still a whirlwind.

After what felt like hours, I finally saw a bus stop. My heart raced with hope; freedom was within reach.

As I waited for the bus, a passerby approached, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay? Do you need help?" He asked, nodding toward the bruises on my skin.

I had an overwhelming need to shield myself from his attention, unsure of whom to trust. I shook my head, forcing a weak smile. "No, I'm fine. Thanks." The lie felt bitter.

The bus arrived, and I boarded, grateful for the anonymity. I found a quiet corner seat and let the engine's hum soothe me.

The bus rumbled on, carrying me toward an uncertain future. But I vowed to reclaim my life.

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Last night's events replayed in my mind like a haunting melody. Bryan's words still echoed.

"Do you know? I've been waiting for you to grow up for a long time," he mentioned, his breath hot against my ear.

I recall the desperation in his voice, the anguish in his eyes. His words seemed laced with an unsettling possessiveness.

"I've been waiting for you, waiting for you to recognize me, Quinn!" he said.

"You're right here, but I dare not get…get close...I miss you every day, and suffer a lot." He stammered in frustration.

I remember struggling, calling out his name, but Bryan's determination was unyielding.

"You're mine now," he declared, his voice dripping with possessiveness. "If you don't want to listen, I don't mind saying it all the time. You're mine, you'll always be mine, and you'll never be able to leave me."

I trembled beneath Bryan's grasp, fear running  through my veins. But in an instant, his expression transformed. 

Bryan's eyes burned with intensity, his gaze piercing mine. He claimed my lips in a fierce, passionate kiss. It was as if he sought to devour me, to consume the fear and uncertainty between us.

I felt his anger dissipate, replaced by a hunger that left me breathless. 

His kiss was a mix of soft and rough - tender yet demanding, gentle yet fierce.

I tried to push him away, but Bryan's arms wrapped around me, holding me captive. His tongue danced with mine, igniting a spark within me.

For a moment, I forgot the terror of the past few hours. Forgot the villa, the isolation, and the threats. All that remained was Bryan's lips on mine, his warmth enveloping me.

But as suddenly as it began, the kiss ended. Bryan pulled back, his chest heaving. Our eyes locked, and I saw the turmoil within him.

I stared, unsure how to react. The kiss had left me wondering.

"Bryan, please," I begged, my voice barely audible. "Let me go."

His eyes flashed with pain, and for an instant, I saw the boy I knew.

"No," he whispered, his lips brushing against mine once more. "I won't let you go. Ever."

I was trapped, caught in a web of Bryan's making. His desire and longing had awakened something within me, but I knew I couldn't surrender.

Not yet.