Port Crimson by Heather Moore - NSFW

Trigger warnings: toxic relationships, manipulation, consensual non consent, dubious consent, non consensual, stalking, possessive partner, rough sex

 

Please heed these warnings and proceed with caution.

Prologue

You hear ghost stories as a kid, and I heard them again and again but they weren’t scary. 

 

They were sad. 

 

I grew up in Port Crimson. You wouldn’t know by looking at it now, but it was once a booming port town. People flocked to Port Crimson to sell and trade their goods. Now it was quiet and run down. The fog seemed to settle and it never left. Old, worn-out boats with quirky names sat in the marina. Unmoved for years. With matching old, worn-out men and women who either lived on them or were always trying to fix them up. 

 

Port Crimson is where Bridget Rockford and Edward Forge met. They were two young lovers whose fate didn’t align. That classic tale, but the people of Port Crimson knew it well. It was celebrated. They were celebrated. Every year the owner of their historic home would open it for a haunted house tour. 

 

The story goes that Edward went off to war, no one knows which one, because the story has been told so many times, and Bridget was heartbroken that he’d never come back. When Edward returned from war, he found that Bridget got married to Roger Pickett. Roger was a wealthy man in town and from the outside he looked like a good fit for Bridget, the town sweetheart. 

 

Edward saw them sitting on the front porch of Bridget and Roger’s home and he just lost it. That night after settling his affairs, he walked out into the ocean and never returned. His body was never recovered. 

 

Little did Edward know; Roger was chronically ill and passed away earlier that day. She just didn’t get the chance to tell Edward and he made the rash decision to end his life. 

 

Now people swear they hear Bridget’s wails around town. She’s wandering, looking for her love Edward. 

 

Where there are two young lovers there is a lover scorned. A triangle. Roger loathed Edward and he did everything he could to make sure that Edward stayed away. Even in death, he chases Bridget. Reports of her running down the street with a shadow chasing her come up every Halloween.

 

The haunted house also holds his angry spirit. Breaking things. Scratching at people. Yelling. The tower holds Bridget's sad, tortured spirit and the sea holds Edwards' lost spirit. 

Chapter 1

Astrid

I paced around my apartment room with my phone to my shoulder trying to talk to Poppy and pack at the same time. I was getting ready for my month-long trip to hang out with my grandma and visit haunted houses and cemeteries in Port Crimson. 

 

“Are you coming to the haunted house this year?” Poppy asked for the millionth time. She wasn’t talking about just any haunted house; she was talking about THE haunted house. The one I avoided every year. 

 

“I’m still thinking about it.” I said, trying to focus on packing my bag for the month. I was staying with my grandma for sure. I know I didn’t have to worry about bringing shorts and tank tops, but beyond that I didn’t know what to bring. 

 

“Puh-lease!” She whined. Poppy had an annoying way of talking me into anything. This was solely because she was persistent. 

 

Stomping my foot, which I knew she could hear, I responded with an annoyed, “Fine.” 

 

“YES!” I heard her jumping up and down. “I’m so excited.”

 

“Fine. Fine. Fine.” I shoved my black leggings into my large suitcase. “You shush.”

 

She cheered and I held my phone away from my ear. “Girl! You have made my day!” 

 

“Yeah. Whatever. I gotta go.” She said her goodbye and hung up. 

 

I looked out into the kitchen and Dimitri was making coffee. “Hey! Can you still drive me?” He looked up and grinned at me with his handsome smile and I was instantly an idiot for him. 

 

Dimitri was my ex-boyfriend, but we lived together. And slept together. And fucked each other. And used each other. It was mutual. 

He casually sipped on his coffee. “Did Poppy talk you into going to the haunted house again?”

 

“Yes.” I said begrudgingly. “So can you drive me?” My car wasn’t in working operation right now, so I had to ask Dimitri for a ride everywhere. One day I was driving around just fine, and the next it just quit running and I didn’t have the time or money to have it towed anywhere.

 

“You bet. I’m staying in town this time so I don’t have to drive home right away.” Dimitri sauntered towards me. “Maybe we can bunk together?” I looked up at him and admired his sharp square jaw and stubble. Why did he have to be so sexy? Why did he have to be so irresistible? 

 

“I don’t know if grandma would like that.” He and I officially broke up a few months ago but scratched an itch every once in a while. Well, it was more than once in a while, but still. He wasn’t mine and I wasn’t his. Although Dimitri seemed to forget that sometimes. “Dimitri, no. Grandma and I have so many plans. I won’t have time to do anything but hang out with her and do shit with Poppy.”

 

“Fine. But I will go to the parties with you then” He backed me up against the wall of the hallway, running his finger along my jaw and down my neck. This was his thing and I was an idiot for it. He loved to take control and I loved to give it away. “Maybe I’ll chase you through the woods again.” Dimitri mused. “Would you like a head start this time my little banshee?”

 

“Whatever you want to do.” I shrugged, trying to act casual. Letting his head dip down and run the tip of his nose along my jaw now. Then lightly brushed his lips along my cheek to my lips. “Astrid, come on. You know you want this.”

 

“I’m not saying I don’t want you. I’m saying that I’ll be busy.” I turned my head and closed my eyes. Now really wasn’t the time but what could it hurt. “Also, can you drop the name Banshee?”

 

“I won’t be doing that.” Dimitri grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it up and over my head roughly. “You torture me in these little crop tops.”

 

Schooling my breathing I slowly opened my eyes and he had a wicked grin on his face that I’d know anywhere. “They are my pajamas Dimitri.” I said under my breath, like that would save face.

 

“Right. And you sleep with no underwear on because it’s more comfortable.” He slid his hand down my bare stomach and into my shorts. 

 

“It’s good for your health.” I muttered, my breath choking a little at the end. 

 

“It is good for me. You’re right.” He slowly circled my clit with his fingers. I needed to focus on something. Anything. I met his gaze and he didn’t have his contacts in yet, and I smiled softly at his glasses fogging from our breath. “Why do you have a little, secretive smile on your face, Banshee?” 

 

“Oh nothing.” Fucking nerd. I wouldn’t ever say the last part to his face. 

 

As his fingers slipped into me, he tilted his head and kissed me slowly. I hummed against his lips out of habit. He was always a good kisser, so attentive. I kept my palms to the wall behind me. I would not feed this animal right now. “Holy fuck Astrid. You are soaked.”

 

And of course, my body betrayed me. 

 

Dimitri and I did have chemistry. That could not be denied. “No one is here.” I lived with Dimitri and his friend Cage. “Moan for me Banshee. Let me hear you.”

 

Dimitri curled his fingers up, pressing deep inside me and I cried out. He didn’t kiss me, but he kept his lips over mine. Like he was trying to breathe in my moans and save them for later. “That’s it, you always respond so beautifully to me.” 

 

Fuck him. I attempted to twist away and I ended up with my face pressed into the wall and my hands pinned above my head with one hand, the other was pushing my shorts down. “Fucking perfect.” Then he slapped my ass and I yelped. 

 

“Dimitri.” I growled. “If you are going to fuck me, then just do it. Quit teasing me.” 

 

He shoved his sweatpants down and then kicked my feet apart as far as they’d go in the shorts. “Don’t tempt me with a good time.” He used his free hand to massage my ass, then pull my hips back. I gasped as he slowly sunk into my pussy. “Fuck me you feel so good.”

 

I couldn’t say anything else. He was everywhere. His rough kisses on my back, his hands gripping my hips, his moaning in my ears. My face was smashed into the wall and I didn’t give a fuck, he felt so good. Better than good. Fantastic. “That’s it, squeeze my cock.” He bit into my shoulder and I cried out. “Your sweet little cries only egg me on Banshee. Maybe you can be louder for me.” 

 

Dimitri’s hand moved from my hip to my nipple and he pinched. “Fuck.” Why did I like this so much? I was a nice girl, I worked in the library. I was a good student. But I loved to be used and abused. “Come for me Astrid.” 

 

“Dimitri, you fucking asshole.” I cried out in an attempt to dig at him, but I should know better by now. His hand that was on my nipple moved down and he alternated pinching and massaging my clit. 

 

“There she is. Not this innocent bullshit. We both know that you are a dirty whore. Especially for my cock. Aren’t you Banshee?” 

 

“No.” I growled back. My orgasm was so close, “I am nothing to you.”

 

“Then I can use and abuse you, right?” Now his hand was yanking my head back away from the wall and gripping my throat. 

 

To be manhandled by Dimitri would look like abuse. I’m certain of that fact. But I love it. The harder the better. I needed everything he’d give me and more. My mouth hung open, gasping for breath. He moaned a long fuck, then I felt his cock pulsing inside me. “I will not pull out until you come Astrid. Fighting me is useless.” he sucked on the side of my neck. “Fucking mine.” 

 

My knees gave out and I fell against him, my orgasm rolling through me. “Oh god Dimitri, I…fuck…” 

 

“That’s it Banshee, yell out my name when you come on my cock.” 

 

He smoothed his hand down my chest, squeezing my breast in his hand before continuing to slide down between my legs. “Don’t we fit so well together Astrid?” He mused, slowly rocking in and out of me. “Fuck.” He muttered before slowly letting me go. I glanced behind me and stopped to admire his lean but muscular physique. Well, that and his thick cock hanging loosely in his sweatpants. 

 

Shaking my head, I turned to walk towards my room and I heard Dimitri laugh under his breath behind me. “Hey Cage, didn’t hear you come in.” Then I heard them laughing. Of fucking course. 

 

“Good show.” Cage commented, loud enough that I could hear him. Their hands slapped together. Whatever, it wouldn’t be the first time and probably not the last. I heard them talking about the football game the night before and that was my cue to close my room door.

 

Chapter 2

Astrid

After a very awkward three-hour drive from the city to Port Crimson, we arrived at my Grandma’s house. When Dimitri put the car in park, I didn’t wait for him to get out. “Grandma! I’m here!” I called up the sidewalk.

 

“Banshee,” Dimitri barked, beckoning me with two fingers to come back to where he was standing. “Get back here.”

 

I stopped walking then promptly flipped him off with both middle fingers. “Fuck off. I don’t even want you to come in.” My grandma was a flirt and she was merciless. Talking to anyone and everyone. 

 

Dimitri guided me up the sidewalk with his hand on the small of my back. “How could I let you walk in all by your lonesome?” He pulled me up to his hip and kissed the side of my head as the front door opened. 

 

I wanted to hate him but we have been ‘together’ for so long I just knew him and he knew me. “Are you going to tell me to fuck off again?” Dimitri grinned down at me, speaking low enough that only I could hear him. 

 

Grandma clapped her hands happily and grinned at me. “Oh, I’m so glad you made it.” She put her book down on the table in the entryway, then stepped aside to let us in. She wrapped her arms around me tightly. “I missed my Astrid girl.” After a few moments she finally let me go. “Who’s this handsome young man?” She moved from me to Dimitri, holding him at arm’s length. 

 

“This is my…” I would have said friend except that Dimitri cut me off. 

 

“Boyfriend.” He said quickly, grinning at me. “Nice to meet you.” He shook her hand, which made me laugh. Grandma was a hugger and he was not. 

 

Grandma winked at me and I could only pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration. “Are you both staying here?” She looked so hopeful. 

 

“No ma’am. I’ll be staying with a friend of mine.” Dimitri answered her quietly, almost sadly. Which was on purpose I know.

 

“Oh. You can stay here.” Grandma glowered at me. “She's being rude. It’s silly to stay somewhere else.”

 

“Yeah, it’s silly Astrid.” Dimitri wiggled his eyebrows. “Thank you…” He left the end open for her to fill in her name. 

 

“Just call me grandma.” Grandma beamed up at Dimitri. “Can you carry in the bags?”

 

“Of course.” Dimitri gave me a parting kiss and went down the hall of the ranch style home. 

 

“He is very handsome. Tall and dark to be exact.” She pulled me along behind her and towards the back of the house to the patio. “You didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend.”

 

“I don’t.” I grumbled under my breath. 

 

“What was that?” She turned around and she knew I was taking advantage of her poor hearing. Even with a hearing aid.

 

“It was a surprise. Um, what are you looking for?” She was lifting pillows and cushions. 

 

“My book.” She put her hands on her hips looking around like a bird swooped in and took it. 

 

Dimitri walked around the corner with her book. “Right here.” Of fucking course, he would be her hero and bring her book to her. I hated how charming he was. 

 

“I have to keep you both around. I’m losing it.” Another more than sly grin from grandma, “And he’s cute.” 

 

Just fucking great. Not only did he insert himself into my festive plans, he also was going to be at MY grandma’s house too. I wouldn’t get a break from him the entire time. Which I’m confident was exactly the point. 

 

I looked at Dimitri sitting there wooing my grandmother into loving him and I remember something that drove me crazy about him. He was infuriatingly friendly. He could find something to talk about with everyone he met. And guess what? My grandmother was the exact same way. On top of that she lived in Port Crimson for her entire life. She knew everyone and their business. “Astrid dear, can you please get us something to drink?”

 

“Astrid doesn’t need to do that.” Dimitri said quickly, getting up. 

 

“You're our guest.” Grandma said quickly. “Astrid can go.”

 

Not being able to stand this anymore, I got up and heard Dimitri say something, then he was right on my heels, slapping my ass. “This is going to be so fun.” He didn’t give me any space as we walked into the kitchen. When I leaned up to reach the cups, he pinned my hips against the counter. “You are so bitter and it’s hysterical.” 

 

“There was never a rental house with Cage, was there?”

 

“No. He’s staying with Poppy.” Dimitri said matter-of-factly. Like I was a fool…because I was.

 

“Hold on. Poppy and Cage!” I shrieked. “Are you fucking kidding me? Are they more serious than I realize? You know what. Don’t answer that. I know they are.” My annoyance grew thinking about missing all of those signs. 

 

“Watch your language in your grandma’s house.” He leaned down and trailed kisses down the back of my neck. “And yes. Cage and Poppy. They are hot and heavy right now. I suspect it’s on par for the season, am I wrong?”

 

“It’s Halloween, not Valentine’s Day.” I tried to move but he didn’t budge. Then I felt his erection against my ass. “Dimitri. Not here. Not now.”

 

He slowly rolled his hips. “So somewhere else, later?” Sarcastic fucker.

 

“No. You have my head scrambled. I can’t fucking think.” I finally was able to push back and he moved. “Now get my grandma something to drink.” 

 

“Yes. Of course.” Dimitri pecked my cheek. “Banshee.”

 

“Stop. That.” I shoved him back, then turned on the faucet filling my glass.

 

“Got it.” He smirked and did as I asked. Finally. 

 

“Astrid. Are you coming? Do you need a minute with that cute boy?” Grandma called through the back patio door, then she giggled. 

Dimitri chuckled behind me. “I made a good choice.”

 

“Fuck you.” We walked back out to the patio and sat back down. 

 

“Thank you Grandma, for letting me stay.” I glanced at Dimitri to see if he’d correct me on my use of ‘me’ and not ‘us’. 

 

“Of course dear. Who am I to get between two young lovers?” She batted her eyes at Dimitri. “You are always welcome here.” 

 

“Oh, dear god.” I put my face in my hands. “Please stop Grandma.”

 

“Oh honey. I was young once.” She grinned at me. “I’ll leave you be. This yard is private.” Then a wink and she toddled off making a show of taking her hearing aids out. 

 

Dimitri got up and stalked towards me. I immediately jumped to my feet to defend myself. “No. I have shit to do tonight. Poppy is dragging me to a cemetery somewhere.”

 

“Oh, I’m aware.” He wrapped his hands around my biceps and backed me towards the woods. “Seems like we had a discussion about being chased through the woods.”

 

Oh god. 

 

I was equally turned on and fucking terrified. “Dimitri please. Not right now.”

 

“Then when, little banshee?” I stumbled over a branch but I didn’t trip and he didn’t drop me.

 

“I don’t know. Just not right now.” The forest in Port Crimson was vast and dense. I could barely see the house now. “Please.” My voice was a whine now. 

 

“Please what?” He finally stopped walking and my hands gripped his shirt at his sides.

 

“Not right now. Give me some time to prepare.” Prepare to fucking run. 

 

“How might you prepare to be chased through the woods, Banshee?” My back hit the rough bark of a tree. Dimitri leaned in and took a deep breath. “Would you shower in the delicious smelling rose body wash? Would you put clothes on or would you run through the woods naked with this glorious ass on display? Making it easier for me to fuck you into the dirt.”

 

“Dimitri. You need to fuck off.” I growled, trying to get away from him. 

 

“Okay, okay.” He stepped back then offered his hand for me to take. “You keep saying it’s not the right time, which is getting annoying. So next time I won’t stop.” I’m fully aware it took a lot for him to stop. 

 

I hated that I took his hand willingly and let him lead me out of the woods. Knowing he was a fuckhead was almost comforting. I knew what to expect and he wouldn’t surprise me. “That’s fine. Next time I’ll be ready.” 

 

Chapter 3

Astrid

Dimitri and I bid Grandma a farewell. He got an invite to a party that Cage and Poppy were at and I, of course, had to go. He refused to leave me anywhere when we were dating and that didn’t stop now either. 

 

We walked into the run-down house and Poppy flagged us down. “Astrid. You bitch. What took so long?” She yelled over the people between us, but they didn’t seem to notice. 

 

Cage grinned at me knowingly. “I see Dimitri’s plan worked out.” Poppy glared at him, then turned to smile back at me. I should be annoyed that both Poppy and Cage were privy to Dimitri’s plan, but I wasn’t. This was how Dimitri did business and I’m sure he offered to buy her coffee for a year or some bullshit like that.

 

Cage had a sly grin on his face, looking between Dimitri and I. “He never intended on staying anywhere but with you.” Cage likely wasn’t bribed, but he was just a dick and enjoyed my humiliation.

 

“Where exactly are we?” I looked around and there wasn’t anything around us. Just this old home that had clearly been abandoned and a barn that was falling in. 

 

“Some guy Cage knows found this house and decided it was a good place for a party to kick off the season.” I’d be spending more time with my grandma this year, I didn’t get to visit her as much because this semester was busier than normal. 

 

Dimitri leaned down and pressed his lips to my cheek, “Do you want anything to drink?”

 

“Not from here.” I looked around and I didn’t see anyone that I knew. I also only saw cups, nothing canned or bottled. He would have ten new friends by the time we left here. Which annoyed the shit out of me. 

 

He just laughed under his breath, then pulled me in front of him, wrapping his arms protectively across my chest. “Fuck me.” I groaned and Dimitri of course heard me. 

 

“Gladly.” He took that moment to pull me back through the throngs of people, through the back door to the woods. 

 

“Woah, woah.” I tried to pull back but Dimitri dragged me through the trees. “It’s very dark out here. Please don’t do this. Not right now.”

 

“I’m with you.” He didn’t even hesitate, just kept pulling me. 

 

“And that’s comforting?” 

 

He wrapped his arms around me when we got to a clearing. “You are a fucking asshole.” 

 

“I know.” He tipped my face up to his. “But you love me anyways.”

 

“Love is a big fucking stretch. Actually, that’s as far from the truth as you could get.” I jerked my head away from him. 

“Astrid. I wouldn’t try this hard if I didn’t care.” Dimitri just looked at me, his eyes hooded and moody, not the normal smirk and cocked head that I was used to. 

 

“Just…Let’s go back to the house please. I need something to drink now and you are exhausting.” Giving into him wasn’t something I did easily but I did it nonetheless. He’s Dimitri, a fucking asshole and someone who seemingly cared about me sometimes. 

Chapter 4

Ghost Face

I couldn’t quite hear what Astrid and Dimitri were saying, but I did see Astrid struggling with Dimitri and it was pissing me off. 

My Astrid.

 

The beautiful woman who’s become my obsession. I have watched her for weeks, preparing for this moment. If I could figure out what parties and houses, they’d be going to, I could make sure I’m there. I could make sure that she’s safe. 

 

I saw him change his posture; they were just bickering now. He was saying something important that she locked in on. Fuck, I just wanted to get closer. I couldn’t now though. There had to be another way. 

 

Without any more argument, Astrid took Dimitri’s hand and he led her back to the old, abandoned house. 

 

I adjusted the ghost face mask, then headed back into the trees. Tomorrow night was the night to make my appearance.  She would see that I was the best person for her. I was the best person to make her happy and feed her darkest desires, while still taking care of her. 

 

 

 

Chapter 5

Astrid

I stood in my room looking at the black, short but casual shirt dress I picked for the party tonight. I wanted to be cute but comfortable. I grabbed one of Dimitri’s flannels and tied it around my waist. Perfectly festive. 

 

“Dang girl. You look really good.” Poppy barged in, closing the door behind her. Cage must be downstairs with Dimitri and Grandma. Grandma loved to entertain people, and I’m sure two strapping college boys were eating up the plate of cookies she and I baked earlier today with Dimitri’s supervision of course. 

 

“Thanks.” I grabbed my sneakers from the corner of the room and we walked downstairs. Dimitri’s eyes locked on me, then scanned up and down my body. “Do you have a problem?”

 

“No.” He stood up and walked towards me. “You just look like I’m going to eat you out later.” His voice was low, so I know Grandma didn’t hear him. But the looks that Poppy and Cage were giving us told me a different story. 

 

“Fuck you.” I growled.

 

“I can do that too.” He didn’t care who was near us, never did and today wasn’t any different. I should know better honestly. 

 

The party for tonight was at someone's house that they lived in, which was a relief. That meant they’d have electricity and cold drinks. Not plastic cups and coolers that had half melted ice and bottles of open liqueurs in them. That also meant bathrooms, not necessarily good ones, but an indoor bathroom nonetheless. 

 

Cage parked the car on the curb, then he and Dimitri got out, each opening a back door for Poppy and I. It annoyed me a little that she didn’t feel like she could tell me about Cage, it was clear now that she was smitten with him. 

 

Although, Dimitri consumed a lot of my physical and emotional energy. It should be surprising that I missed all the signs. “What are you thinking about?” Dimitri’s deep voice filled my head. Speaking of the devil himself. “Don’t act like you can hide from me, Banshee. I know you.”

 

“No, you fucking don’t.” I pulled away from him, but where would I go? Poppy was wrapped up in Cage’s arms and they were making out already. 

 

Just like always, Dimitri is two steps behind me, swooping in to steer me around people and into some private corner. “Why are you like this?”

 

“Like what?” He asked innocently.

 

“What if I knew someone here?” I tried to look around his broad shoulders but he didn’t cooperate. “What if one of my cousins was here or something? I’d like to see them.” 

 

“Are they here though? Wouldn’t they have called?” Why did he always have a fucking point? A very valid point, because they would have called. 

 

I glared up at him and his stupidly handsome face. I saw at least ten girls eye him up when we walked in, but I knew they’d never have a chance. He would only ever obsess over me. That should give me some kind of security but it didn’t. It annoyed the fuck out of me. Because he’d also use his good looks to draw girls in and fuck with me. Then they’d be somewhere crying while he fucked me. Again, not something I’m privy to. 

 

“I need to move Dimitri. Please.” I slid around him and surprisingly, he let me. I saw my out and I took it as I darted into the hallway then up the stairs. There had to be a bathroom up here that I could hide out in. I turned the corner and smashed into another guy and I toppled him over. 

 

“Oh my god.” I cried as I tried to roll off of him but he had his arm covering the back of my head, keeping me from hitting the floor. I quickly followed with, “I’m so sorry.”

 

“I hope the fire you're running from is worth a concussion.” He laughed under his breath. 

 

I took a minute to collect myself and sat up, putting my back to the wall, he sat next to me. “Are you okay?” I noticed he was rubbing his elbow. 

 

“Don’t worry about me.” Then he put his hand out. “I’m Alexander, but you can call me Ander.”

 

“Not Alex?” I mused. Maybe flirting a little bit. 

 

“I go to school with a million Alex’s, so I opted for Ander.” 

 

“And there’s only one of you.” I winked. I sincerely hope that wasn’t as awkward in real life as it was in my head. “Thanks for catching me.”

 

“Being toppled over by a beautiful girl wasn’t in my cards for tonight but I won’t fight it.” Oh, now he was flirting. “What’s your name?”

 

“Astrid.” 

 

He seemed to think about my name, then smiled softly. “Divine power.”

 

“Huh?” I leaned in, thinking I didn’t hear him right. 

 

“Your name.” He said louder. “It means divine power. No wonder you pushed me over so easily.” 

 

I rolled my eyes. “I see what you did there.” 

 

“I’m sorry.” Ander shook his head. “That was lame.”

 

“No. It’s not lame.” I put my hand on his thigh. “I just didn’t expect it.”

 

“You are being nice.” He stood up. “I know when a girl is taken. I’ll back off.”

 

Woah. 

 

Fuck no. 

 

I wasn’t fucking taken. “Ander, stop.” I stood up quickly, reaching for his arm and pulling him back. “I’m not taken. I’m just really fucking awkward.” 

 

He started laughing. “Clearly I am too.” 

 

“Let’s start over.” I closed my eyes and shook out my shoulders. When I opened them, Ander was grinning at me. He was cute in a small-town boy kind of way. All American, blond hair, blue eyes, wide shoulders. Probably played football once but hurt himself and now he was going to college for business. “I’m Astrid. It means divine power.” I winked. “I had a cute guy tell me that once.”

 

“You think I’m cute?” He fanned himself. “Would you want to get out of here?”

 

“Who are you?” I said playfully. “We haven’t met yet, remember?” I winked again and who the fuck was I right now. I was feeling pretty good about this interaction. 

 

“I’m Ander. Nice to meet you, Astrid.” He put his hand out and I shook it. “Now, would you like to get out of here?”

 

“Here as in the hallway, or here as in this party?”

 

“I’m game for whatever.” He said as we both had to step back to let someone by. 

 

I knew that if I didn’t make the first move, I wouldn’t do anything. I hooked my hand onto his elbow and pulled him up next to me. “Let’s get out of here.” 

 

“Deal.” 

 

Chapter 6

Ghost Face

I waited outside the house for far longer than I thought I’d have to. Astrid knew how to draw someone in with her wit and kindness. I knew it wouldn’t take long for her to find someone to catch on her web. Just. Like. Me.

 

The back door opened and she walked out on the arm of a buff, blond guy. That’s all wrong for her. This was it. I was going to show her who she belonged to, but I needed to get rid of the guy. 

 

“Hey, there’s a trail back here. We should see where it goes.” Blondy said happily. Probably thinking he’d get a minute with my Astrid. 

 

“Are you sure?” She paused at the head of the trail that I was just off of. She’d go, she was a sucker for anything scary. 

Blondy pulled her along, “I saved you once, I can save you again.” 

 

“True.” She giggled. Fucking giggled. Those were for me, and only for me. “Since you are experienced.” They proceeded into the woods and my opportunity presented itself. 

 

I pulled on my mask and pulled up my hood. If Astrid saw me, she’d know who I was. I watched as they walked right past where I was hiding on the trail. I needed them to separate. 

 

He kept his arm over her shoulders and my rage increased tenfold. She was fucking mine. I closed my eyes for a moment and when I opened them Astrid and Blondy had disappeared into the darkness. This was way too perfect. 

 

A scream echoed around the woods and I jumped up. It was a good thing no one else was coming, they would have definitely seen me. “Fuck that hurt.” Astrid’s shrill voice got my attention. I jogged through the woods and crouched back down when I saw them in the distance. She was sitting on the ground, Blondy in front of her. She had her hands on her ankle and was rocking back and forth. “I have shit ankles, I should know better.”

 

“I feel so bad. We keep hurting each other.” Blondy stood up and looked around. “I’ll go back and get help.” He hesitated. If he was about to leave her alone, I was about to think a lot less of him. 

 

Astrid looked around, then back up at him. “Can’t you carry me? Or at least help me walk?”

 

“I…” He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. A man could carry a woman in her time of need. Not this fucking man child. At minimum help her walk back. He wouldn’t leave her in the dark. “It isn’t far. I promise. I’ll be quick.” 

 

“Find Poppy or Cage please.” She yelled after him. “Not Dimitri. He’ll kill you.” I heard her laugh and I’m sure that Blondy didn’t hear her. 

 

This was it. I was finally going to have Astrid. My hands would be on her. My breath mixed with hers. Her screams in my mouth. “Astrid.” I called into the darkness. She wouldn’t recognize my voice due to the distortion with the mask on. 

 

I walked out onto the path, then started towards her. The effect being me appearing out of the dark and heading towards her was perfect. “Who’s there?” She looked all around her. 

 

“Right here.” I called back, continuing my steady walk. Resisting the urge to run at her. “Astrid, you seem to be in need of assistance?” I stopped twenty feet away and she was dead in the water. Just staring up at me from the ground. 

 

“Fuck off.” She crossed her arms. “I know it’s you Dimitri.”

 

I cocked my head. “Who’s Dimitri? Someone I have to kill later?”

 

Her eyes widened, then narrowed in an intense glare. “Fuck. Off. Ander will be back any minute now.”

 

Ahh, the name of the blond fuckhead who dared touch her. “I doubt it. He’s lost somewhere back there.” I motioned behind her where the trail split. I saw him wander the wrong way. He’d be deep in the woods of Port Crimson before he’d end up back at the house. 

 

“Shit.” Astrid’s eye wandered back to mine. “Help me up Dimitri. Quit fucking around.” 

 

“Such a foul mouth on such a pretty girl.” I knew this would piss her off. 

 

“Fuck. Off.” She spat back at me.

 

I took another step, confident now that she didn’t know who I was. “One minute you're asking me for help. The next you're telling me to fuck off. Make up your mind.” 

 

“Help!” She yelled into the darkness, then grinned back at me. “Ander will hear me and come running back.” She thought she had me. 

 

“He won’t. I know he won’t.” I took another step and I think it occurred to her how alone we were out here. 

 

“Well help me or leave me alone. Those are the choices.” She barked at me, before bracing herself on a tree and standing up. She limped along the tree line. Stepping over deadfall and nearly falling over. 

 

“You seem to think you run the show right now?” I easily caught up to Astrid and grabbed her around the waist.

 

Chapter 7

Astrid

I have never been more scared in my life. I felt like my heart was going to burst from my chest. 

 

I tried to act cool. I did. Some yelling for help, some puffed-out chest yelling at the masked man staring me down. Cocking his head in the way that made the music turn from innocent to scary in a movie was my undoing. I tripped and almost hit my head, except that a strong arm wrapped around my waist and jerked me back. 

 

Kicking and struggling against him, I know I got a few shots in before he pinned me with the other arm. “Knock it off.” He growled before setting me down on my good leg. Fuck my ankle hurt so bad. You’d think the adrenaline would overrule that. 

 

“Help!” I called out again. Maybe he was toying with me by saying that the trail didn’t go back to the house. Maybe Ander and Poppy were coming down the trail any minute now. 

 

“Sweet, scared little girl. You are calling for no one. We are alone.” He rolled his hips into me and I moaned. Instantly hating myself. I was a sucker for dark and scary things, despite being a scaredy cat. 

 

“Who are you?”

 

“You can just call me Ghost Face.” Another head cock that I was equally turned on and terrified of. Something Dimitri did all the fucking time. This had to be him. 

 

A laugh bubbled out of my chest. “That’s a dumb fucking name.” 

 

“Astrid, my little brat. You have evaded me for so long.” Ghost Face, as he referred to himself like an idiot, looked down at me like I was his. I could only see his far away eyes through the mask, but I could easily imagine Dimitri under there. 

 

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I fought back again, “We live in the same apartment. You saw me hours ago. It has to be you. Only you would torture me like this. Just fuck me and get it over with.”

 

“Gladly.” Dimitri’s flannel that I’d grabbed from the house, dropped down next to us, then he jerked my dress up. “Take my cock out.” This was definitely him. I had no doubt now. I did as he said, because Dimitri was a fucking asshole but he did have a nice cock. I unzipped his jeans and shoved them down, then pushed his compression shorts down, he sprung free and I wrapped my fingers around him. “Holy fuck Astrid.” 

 

Something hit me, Dimitri would call me Banshee. He always does and it makes me insane. But now he wasn’t. Maybe he was trying to hide who he was? “You are rock hard.” I ran my hand up and down his thick length. He’d feel even better inside me. “Fuck me, please.” Suddenly my fear was replaced with lust. 

 

“Beg for me Astrid.” He tipped his head back and moaned. “Do you feel how my cock throbs in your hand? That’s what you do to me. You torture me.” 

 

“Fuck me…” I whined as he thrusted into my hand. 

 

“You’d like that wouldn’t you? Getting what you want? Just like you always do.” I was spun around and pushed into the tree, now my hurt ankle was completely forgotten. The bark was rough on my face, but I didn’t really care either. “Lucky for you, I made a promise.” This was definitely Dimitri. He said next time he chased me through the woods, he’d fuck me. 

 

He pulled my hips back and thrusted into me. “Fuck, you are soaked. Is that all for me?” The flimsy plastic of the mask scrunched against my back as he thrusted deep and hard into me. I braced myself on the tree. There was one thing that Dimitri did best and that was kiss. He might fuck my face into rough tree bark, but he also gave the best kisses. Honestly one of the only positive things he did that didn’t annoy me. 

 

That’s what I wanted right now. “Take the fucking mask off and kiss me.”

 

“I won’t be doing that.” He growled, then gripped my hips with bruising force and in a few thrusts his growl turned into a groan and his steady thrusts became disjointed. He pulled out, leaving me a sweaty mess and not satisfied. 

 

“Fucking asshole.” I spun around, ready to kick him right in his magnificent dick but he blocked me. “I didn’t come.”

 

“That isn’t my problem.” Another head tilt and I saw the corners of his eyes crinkle. He was pleased with himself. He tucked his dick back into his jeans and zipped them up slowly. “Would you like help getting back to the start of the trail?”

 

“It is the least you could do. A ride home would be great too. I’m sure my friends left.” 

 

“That’s irresponsible of them.” He sounded disapproving, which was hysterical. The man who just fucked me against a tree didn’t approve of my friends leaving me. “But I won’t be giving you a ride.” 

 

“I didn’t think so.” I grumbled as we got to the tree line. I saw Ander talking to Poppy and Cage. Dimitri wasn’t anywhere in sight, confirming that I was standing by him. As I limped out into the open, I heard leaves crunching behind me. When I turned around the man was gone.

 

 

Chapter 8

Astrid

By the time I got into the house, found the bathroom again, cleaned up and found my friends, I was exhausted and my ankle was throbbing. 

 

Ander pushed through the hordes of people now to get to me. “Oh my god. Are you alright? I got lost trying to get back to the house. I’m so sorry.” I needed help walking, so I took his hand and let him lead me back to Poppy and Cage. 

 

“Girl, you look rough. Do you want to go?” Poppy pulled a leaf out of my hair that I missed in the dim bathroom. 

 

“I would like that, yes.” 

 

“C’mon. She’s wimping out.” Cage elbowed Poppy’s side and I was even more annoyed than I had started. 

 

“I’ll drive her home. This is my fault.” Ander smiled down at me. That sweet, all-American smile. He was innocent, getting lost in the woods at night was normal. 

 

I nodded yes, “That works for me.” Looking back at Cage and Poppy, they were now fully intertwined in each other. “We can leave literally anytime now.” I tugged at Ander’s sleeve and he laughed under his breath. 

 

“I’ll bring my car up as close as I can get.” He parked me by the end of the driveway. I looked around and didn’t see Dimitri, which scared me. He could be anywhere right now. But he rode with Cage and Poppy so he could go home with them too. I just needed to get out of here before he saw me. 

 

I checked my phone again and found nothing from Dimitri. Now I was one hundred percent sure that he was the man in the woods. At this rate, even if he wasn’t I wanted to piss him off. So, I would get what I wanted either way. 

 

Half an hour later I was home, showered and in bed. Much to my dismay and confusion, Dimitri was laying behind me, spooning me. He comforted me after I spewed about being chased through the woods. Then laid down and let me just enjoy his warmth. 

 

“I promise you it wasn’t me.” He insisted again and again. “I’ll fuck up whoever touched you though.” 

 

“That’s not necessary.” I answered quietly. “Now go to sleep.”

 

I rolled over and put my leg over his hip. Just for one night, I’d put aside my annoyance with him and just enjoy the comfort of lying next to Dimitri. Of being in his company. “I’m going to ask you once more, then you can suffer in silence. Are you okay?”

 

“Yes. My ankle is sore, but it’ll be good in the morning.” 

 

“You’ll be good in the morning because you’ll ice it.” He said sternly. I wouldn’t let him massage or ice my ankle when I settled down after my shower. “Banshee, I know you choose to ignore me most of the time. But you aren’t going to suffer to prove a point to me.” 

 

I wouldn’t win this, so I wouldn’t even try. This was the soft underbelly to the monster that tormented me.

 

Dimitri was sound asleep when I got up, but I knew my grandma was an early riser and she’d be wide awake at this time. She was sitting curled up in the large, plush chair in her living room. “Good morning, dear. How was the party last night?”

 

“It was good.” I couldn’t tell her what actually happened. I didn’t even tell Dimitri the entire truth but he wasn’t stupid. 

 

“Good? Did you have fun?” She probed. I could not hide anything from this woman. “I see your ankle is swollen.” 

 

“I did.” I answered quietly, knowing full well that Dimitri would be down any minute now and he’d blow my cover. “My ankle is fine. I just twisted it.” 

 

“Okay. Well, are you ready for our nail appointment this morning?” Grandma loved to be pampered. She got her hair and nails done every six weeks religiously. All of the ladies at the salon knew her. 

 

I checked the time, “When are the appointments? Surely not at seven AM?”

 

“Oh no dear.” She giggled. “We are going to breakfast first. It’s at eight, when they open.”

 

Of course. She’d be there when they unlocked the door with coffee and donuts. I heard my bedroom door creak, then heavy footfalls on the stairs. “Good morning, ladies.” Dimitri said politely before disappearing into the kitchen. 

 

Grandma cleared her throat, getting my attention. “What are you going to put on your nails?” She looked at her hand thoughtfully. “I think I’ll get little ghosts.” 

 

“That would be really cute.” I opened my photos app on my phone and pulled up a picture I found, “I like these. Blood dripping down from the tips with a white background.” 

 

“Oh, that’s perfectly spooky. I love it.” She smiled sweetly at Dimitri as he tapped my shoulder for me to sit forward. I did my best to hide my contempt for him not sitting in the open chair on the other side of the room. “You two are so cute.” She practically had little hearts in her eyes. She didn’t know that he was charming her, like he did literally everyone around him. 

 

“Thank you, Grandma.” Dimitri settled in behind me, his arm over my shoulder and I was perfectly nestled into him. He was clearly still feeling smug about being able to call MY grandma, by grandma and not by her name. 

 

Grandma went back to reading the book she had when we arrived, giving Dimitri his opening to pester me. “You snuck out this morning.” His voice was still gravelly from sleep and sexy as fuck. 

 

More reasons to hate him. 

 

“I didn’t sneak.” I went back to scrolling, intentionally looking at and commenting on men’s thirst traps to taunt him. “I walked out confidently, not looking back.” 

 

He laughed quietly under his breath, I’m not sure if it was at my comment or the response I got on a comment, where I had said ‘Come and find me.’ And the creator replied, ‘Don’t tempt me.’

 

“You think you are being cute, don’t you?” His attempt at sounding menacing didn’t really work on me. I was too fed up with his mightier than thou attitude. 

 

“I am cute.” I batted my eyes at him and I felt his free hand flex next to me. He couldn’t do anything to me with my grandma sitting ten feet away and I’d take advantage of this. 

 

“Grandma, what are you two up to today?” Dimitri said sweetly. 

 

He was not about to do what I think he was. Grandma looked up and smiled, her eyes slowly moving from me to Dimitri and back. “Breakfast then nails.” She grinned an evil little smile. I willed her to not say anything else and she stopped, thankfully. 

 

“Would you two like a chauffeur for the day?” Dimitri pressed his lips into my shoulder softly, then looked back at Grandma. “I don’t have anything to do, and I’d be honored to drive around my, now, two favorite women.”

 

“That sounds lovely.” Her eyes wandered back to Dimitri. “Oh honey, you need to hang onto that man. He’s a keeper.” 

 

“Sure is.” I grumbled, making Dimitri laugh, his chest vibrating against my back. He dipped his head again and he kissed my shoulder. Making me doubt my entire existence. Last night the man that chased me down didn’t kiss me. Dimitri wouldn’t pass up the chance. Mask or not. 

 

In my distracted state, Grandma and Dimitri kept talking. “I will never turn down an offer to be driven like Ms. Daisy.” Grandma grinned, “Get dressed darlings. Time to go, I do not like to be late.” She shuffled down the hall to her room. 

 

Chapter 9

Astrid

Dimitri drove us in his fancy pants car to our nail appointment. We walked in and I saw the normal group of ladies who’ve worked here forever. 

 

“Good morning!” Grandma called and everyone waved as we took our seats. Grandma’s usual person sat down in front of her, then Ander walked around the corner and sat down in front of me. 

 

This I did not expect, he looked like an athlete. Not a nail artist. “Hey…” I had the best idea to piss Dimitri off. “I didn’t think you’d do nails.”

 

“My parents own this place, I grew up here, it looked like fun so I learned how to do nails.” He shrugged. This was fucking perfect. 

I heard movement behind me, then Dimitri put his hands on the back of my chair. “Everything okay here?” I knew this would piss him off, so of course I continued to fuck with him.

 

“Yes.” I looked between Ander and Dimitri. “It’s perfectly fine.” 

 

Grandma was deep in conversation with her nail tech. Dimitri touched my shoulder and ducked his head down so that only I could hear him. “Who is this?” He didn’t ask Ander. He asked me. This was a power move. “It’s clear you know each other.” 

 

“We do.” I grinned. “I met him last night when you disappeared. This is Ander.” 

 

“Is he the idiot who left you in the woods?” Dimitri looked irritated and it was perfect. 

 

“Dimitri, babe, please don’t.” I said sweetly. “It’s not needed.” 

 

“Not needed? I think that someone should say something to this idiot.” His voice was getting louder. “Do you normally leave women alone in the woods injured?” Dimitri pinned Ander with a glare. 

 

“Enough.” I riled him up, I can wind him back down. “Please sit down. I’m fine.” He made a point to hold my chin and kiss me, then walked off. 

 

When I turned back to Ander he was shaking his head. “What’s his deal?”

 

I waved off the behavior. “That’s normal for him. If he smiled, he’d break his face in two.” 

 

Ander held back a laugh as he took my hand and started to file my nails. This felt intimate despite us being out in the open and it was glorious. I know that Dimitri was fuming and it was perfect.

 

“Hey.” Grandma swatted at me. “You don’t talk about that respectful young man like that.” Of course she’d defend his honor. Dimitri could make anyone fall in love with him with his charm. If she only knew half the shit that he did to me. 

 

We won’t talk about how I liked a lot of it. 

 

“It’s alright, I get it.” Ander said quietly. “You can’t get along all the time.” 

 

Between my grandma chatting with her technician, and Ander and I talking we lost track of time. A nail appointment that should have taken an hour, lasted two hours. I enjoyed talking to Ander, he was actually pleasant. I actually laughed and smiled. Amazing. 

“Thank you for this.” I squeezed Ander’s muscular bicep. “You are full of surprises.”

 

“Let me see them one more time.” He took my hand in his again. “Amazing.”

 

I could feel Dimitri before I saw him. “Are my two favorite ladies ready to go?” He was clearly irritated, but Grandma didn’t pick up on that. She was happy as a clam as she took his elbow and he led her out. I stayed back on purpose. Just to piss Dimitri off. 

 

“Ander, are you free this weekend?” Poppy had already booked Friday to Sunday, but I could invite whoever I wanted. 

 

Ander’s eyes wandered up and down my body and I felt like a fucking queen. It was gratifying to see that he was just as interested in me as I was in him. “For you, absolutely. What’s up?”

 

“The party I mentioned, would you want to go?” 

 

“Actually, it’s funny you say something. That’s my friend Toby’s party. I’ll be there already.” 

 

“Perfect.” I wrapped him in a hug, “I can’t wait for a redo of last weekend.” I don’t know why I hugged him, but it worked out well because I heard Dimitri clear his throat behind me. 

 

I backed off and Dimitri had his hand out. “Time to go. Your grandma says that she needs to eat.” And he wasn’t wrong. With the medication she was on, she needed to eat with them. 

 

“Thanks again Ander. See you this weekend.” I waved behind me as Dimitri dragged me out. 

Chapter 10

Astrid

Dimitri grilled me on what Ander and I talked about, but I didn’t entertain him and that pissed him off more. It only made me happier. I loved to taunt him, and now it wasn't any different. 

 

The rest of the week Dimitri behaved himself, for the most part. Other than interjecting into everything Grandma and I did; he was on good behavior. Which surprised the hell out of me. 

 

Friday evening came up quickly, and we were leaving to go to Ander’s Friend’s party. “Grandma, I’ll be home late tonight.” I called through the house as Dimitri went out to start his car. 

 

“I know honey, we do this every year.” She peeked her head out, “Be safe.”

 

“Always.” I called back and blew her a kiss. If she only knew. My phone buzzed in my pocket. 

 

Unknown: I hope I’m not overstepping. This is Ander. I got your number from the salon. Are you going to be at the party tonight?

This could be the perfect way to taunt Dimitri. 

 

Me: I will be. And you aren’t overstepping. ;)

 

Unknown: There is a corn maze we’ll have to do together. This time I won’t let you twist your ankle.

 

Me: I’d like that. To do the corn maze and not twist my ankle.

 

Unknown: See you later

 

“Who are you texting?” Dimitri grabbed my phone. “Ander? Fucking creep.” He threw my phone back at me and I scrambled to catch it. 

 

“Asshole.” I got in the car, slamming the door. 

 

“Call me what you want but I don’t get girls' numbers from my workplace and text them.” He started the sports car and it rumbled to life. I know it pissed him off that I slammed the door of his precious Dodge Charger. “Also, don’t slam the fucking car door or you can walk.” There it was.

 

“I can take Grandma’s Buick, but I don’t think you’d want to be seen with me.” I slowly looked in his direction and smirked. “Actually, good idea.” I pulled on the door handle but it didn’t budge. 

 

“If you get out of this fucking car, I will make you pay for it.” He didn’t drive off though. I know he was testing to see how real my threat was to drive Grandma’s car. Also, while his threat should scare me, it turned me on even more. 

 

“Tonight, I won’t let you out of my sight. I learned my lesson when you twisted your ankle and ended up making friends with a creep.” He squealed the tires pulling away from Grandma’s house. 

 

“It’s alright. Ander will be there.” I knew this would piss him off. “He was going to get help, that’s why he left me.” 

 

Dimitri stopped at a light and turned to face me. “Try that again.” 

 

“The light is green Dimitri.” My eyes darted from the light to Dimitri and back. A car honked behind him. “Go. Drive.” Panic gripped me. This was embarrassing. He was going to cause an accident. “At least turn on your yield lights.” I reached for the button and he snatched my wrist out of the air and twisted my arm back. 

 

“Try. That. Again.” He put the car in park. “What will you do tonight at this party?”

 

“Dimitri!” I screeched as more people filed around him, flipping us off and honking. “Drive.”

 

“You know what you need to say to make me move.” He relaxed into his seat, not a care in the world. 

 

“I’ll stay by you.” I ground out.

 

“And?” 

 

“I won’t find Ander.” That wouldn’t stop Ander from finding me though. 

 

“Excellent.” He put the car in drive and sped through a very stale yellow light, giving me a heart attack as someone had just pulled up next to us to pass. “I don’t give a fuck about anyone but you, so if you think that rubbing Ander in my face is a good idea, then I challenge you to try. Because I won’t back down.” 

 

I spent the rest of the car ride with my arms crossed and facing the window. It wasn’t worth risking other drivers to prove a point. 

When we pulled up to the house, people were milling around but I didn’t see Ander. Which was probably a good thing right now. Poppy pulled Cage towards us. “Girl! Look at you and your fierce nails.” She held my hand up to Cage and he just nodded. 

“Thanks, Ander actually did them.” 

 

“Hold on, like Ander from last weekend? The all-American guy?” She grinned. “He’s cute.” I’m sure I heard Dimitri growl under his breath. 

 

“Very.” I agreed and we both looked at Dimitri who was now bro-ing it up with Cage. “See, he doesn’t care.” I definitely knew better than to think that Dimitri didn’t care about Ander.

 

I felt Dimitri walk back up and press his chest into me. Cage walked around behind Poppy and they pinned us together. “He cares very much.” Cage said in a low voice. Gone was the easy, breezy Cage. 

 

Dimitri grazed his teeth up my neck, “He cares very much. Keep pushing me Banshee. Remember we are staying at the same house and I drove you here.”

 

We were all in a stalemate. Poppy looked hot and bothered and given the way that Cage’s hands were slowly siding up her shirt, I knew they’d be fucking very soon. Great. Then I’d be alone with Dimitri. Again. 

 

After what felt like an eternity, Cage dropped his hands and he met back up with Dimitri and they walked off. I spotted Ander walking across the yard. “That’s him.” I waved and Poppy joined me. 

 

“Oh, he’s cute.” She fanned herself. “You have an angel on one side with blond hair and blue eyes, and a devil on the other with dark hair and onyx eyes.” Then she leaned in as Ander got closer. “And they are both sexy motherfuckers.” This comment made me giggle. She didn’t hold back anything. 

 

“You made it.” He gave Poppy a little wave. “This place is packed already and it’s early.” 

 

“You mentioned a corn maze, want to go through that now?” I glanced behind me, half hoping that Dimitri was still watching me. This was my power play. 

 

“I don’t fucking think so.” Dimitri’s voice barked from somewhere in the darkness. I whipped around and people were moving out of his way without being told. Parting like the red fucking seas. “You will stay by me where you won’t get hurt.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. 

 

“Asshole.” I bit out. Pulling my arm back, but he didn’t let go.

 

“Don’t you think for one fucking second that you’ll get away with this bratty behavior. You know better and you're just fucking with me.” In a final act of retaliation, I stomped on his foot. He didn’t even flinch. “Tonight, I’ll be there. Waiting.”

 

“Waiting for what?” I shot back, digging my pointed nails into his forearm. 

 

Dimitri slowly looked down at his arm, then back up at me. “You can’t hurt me, Banshee. I’m your living hell. I’m the one keeping you up at night. I’m the one in the shadows watching you.” He lowered his head and bared his teeth. “I’m the one you run back to and you hate it.” 

 

I shoved him back and he let me. Putting his hands up, causing Cage to intervene with some snide comment about women in their place or some shit. 

 

“I’ll see you later Astrid.” Dimitri winked and most would swoon, I did not. It made me want to puke. 

 

Fucking asshole. I turned back to Ander and he looked terrified and rightfully so. I only got away with fucking with Dimitri because believe it or not, he actually liked me. Poppy slid in next to me. “SOOO that was awkward.” She then turned to Ander. “I hear you do incredible nail art.”

Chapter 11

Astrid

In an act of rebellion, I drank. And drank. And drank. Poppy and I competed beer for beer until the only thing keeping the other up were the walls or whatever guy we were next to. 

 

Dimitri couldn’t help himself; I heard him before I saw him as people murmured behind me. I knew this was his way of beating his chest like a fucking ape. Claiming what he thought was his. Well, I’d remind him that we broke up. Again. 

 

He slammed his body into mine, and in my drunken state I fell forward into Ander. Bracing myself on Ander, I turned around in what felt like a smooth move but I’m sure I looked like a rag doll. “I fucking hate you.” I slurred. 

 

Without hesitating he ducked down and picked me up. I kicked and screamed, beating his back with my fists. “Dimitri!”

 

“That’s it Banshee, scream my name.” He taunted. I looked at Ander and he was pissed. I didn’t think his pretty blue eyes could look so angry, but they did. And it was sexy. I guess he’d grown a bit protective of me in the short time that we’ve known each other. 

 

“Dimitri, put her down.” Ander’s deep voice cut through the tension in the room. Dimitri lowered me to the ground, my shirt-dress riding up. I quickly adjusted myself as I leaned on the wall for support. 

 

“Don’t Ander. It’s fine.” I said from behind Dimitri. 

 

“No.” Ander stepped up, getting in Dimitri’s face. “He can’t treat you that way.”

 

“What the fuck did you just say to me Alexander?” Dimitri’s voice was dangerously low. 

 

While I wasn’t thrilled about Dimitri’s behavior, I wasn’t surprised either. I did not expect Ander to stand up for me though. “No. This is fucking ridiculous. You treat Astrid like shit. You two broke up, she’s not yours.”

 

“Ander. Please.” I peeked around Dimitri and Ander was glaring at Dimitri. I should walk away, but I had enough alcohol in my system to keep intervening like an idiot. “Not here. Not ever.” I attempted to walk around Dimitri but he stuck his arm out, keeping me stuck behind him. 

 

“Not mine?” Dimitri spun around on me. “Of course she’d fucking mine. I will not let go of the girl who lights my soul on fire? Move on from the girl who I’m so protective of? I don’t fucking think so.” He huffed out a laugh. 

 

Poppy gasped; I froze. 

 

Lights my soul on fire. Did Dimitri really just say that? About me?

 

Ander was the first to speak, “Like fuck you care about her. You push her around like she’s a plaything.” Ander looked at me, pleading for me to choose. “Astrid, do you feel safe with him?”

 

That was the million-dollar question wasn’t it? Did I feel safe? Unfortunately, yes. Even prior to his declaration. “Yes.” I answered quietly and I felt Dimitri’s hand flex on my arm.

 

“I’m not fighting you. It’s not worth my energy.” Dimitri turned around to face me, and pressed his lips to my forehead. “You are worth my energy though, Remember that.” He motioned for Cage to follow him with his head and they disappeared through the crowd of people that had gathered. 

 

Poppy thrusted a fresh beer in my hand, “You good?”

 

“Great.” I tipped my head back, chugging the beer then giving her the empty cup back. “We should go and try out that corn maze.” 

 

Ander stepped up, pulling me into his side. “Did I hear corn maze? It’s cool, I’ll take you both.” He put his other arm out and Poppy took it. 

 

We started at the entrance to the corn maze in the backyard. Poppy on one side of Ander, and I was on the other. It looked well kept, so hopefully no tripping hazards this time. The dry corn stalks crunched under our feet as we turned a few times, effectively getting lost. Poppy gasped and jumped a few times, making me reach across and slap her. 

 

“Girls, play nice. It’s just a corn maze. There isn’t anything out here other than other party goers.” Ander patted our hands. The big strong man keeps us safe. I’d take it. He seemed like a really good guy. Too good for me. 

 

“Astrid.” The voice was low and felt like it was right next to me. I looked around us and didn’t see anyone. Neither Poppy or Ander seemed to hear anything. Now I was feeling crazy. Then it happened again. I stopped and pulled Ander to a stop with me. 

“Tell me you heard that.” I searched their shadowed faces for some kind of head nod or something but they just seemed confused. Shit. “C’mon. I heard my name. You guys didn’t?”

 

“No.” Poppy looked back. “I’m freaked out and far too drunk for this. We should go back.” She tugged on Ander’s arm. “C’mon.” 

They started to walk back and it sounded like someone was crashing through the corn stalks. Poppy and I jumped and ran, Ander right on our heels. I turned to the right and I thought they did too but when I stopped to check on where I was…I was alone. 

 

Chapter 12

Ghost Face

Astrid is a smart girl, she didn’t do shit like this. But as soon as I rattled a bunch of stalks around me, and she was a goner. Taking off, I saw her turn right when Ander and Poppy took the left back to the entrance. 

 

This was fucking perfect. 

 

“Leave me alone!” Astrid yelled into the darkness, then started to walk again. The wrong direction. She was headed deeper into the one-acre corn maze. Alone. 

 

“I won’t be doing that.” I kept my voice level. “Astrid.” I said again and she spun around in a circle. 

 

“Shit.” She muttered something else to herself, but I didn’t hear it. She faced straight ahead and took off. This path for the maze was rough, not as worn smooth. I followed, carefully picking through the maze. Trying to remain as quiet as possible. I heard a crash then more cursing. “Fuck you! If it’s just you and me out here, then help me.” She yelled into the darkness. “I twisted my ankle again.” Then a quiet sob. “C’mon. Be a big man Dimitri and come out.” 

 

That got my attention. She thought I was Dimitri. I needed to set us apart. She needed to know that I was a different nightmare. 

“Astrid, you can only run for so long.” I walked calmly behind her and her head whipped around, then she glared at me. She was covered in mud, and her dress was ripped. She looked beautifully distraught, and torn down. Ready for me to fuck her. I fought the urge to rub my cock through my pants. Now was not the time. Not yet. 

 

“Let me go!” Her voice was shrill. “Let me go now!”

 

“I don’t have you, Astrid.” I said, keeping my cool. “Stop yelling.” 

 

“No, no. I won’t be doing that.” She stood up, resting her hurt ankle on her toe. I felt a little bad for that, but not that much. She didn’t need to run. What I had planned, she’d love it. “No fucking way you psychopath.” 

 

Her breath turned to wheezing as she panted against me. “Breathe. You're going to pass out, then this won’t be as much fun.” 

 

“Fuck. You.” She kicked and fought me. 

 

“Astrid.” I barked and she froze, then went limp. Still panting. 

 

“Do you like the fight?” Astrid wiggled against my body trying to get away. “Then I’ll fucking fight.” Then she threw her body backwards and forwards. I didn’t let her go or drop her though. I admired her fight, she was strong and would be a challenge. 

 

“Tell me to stop and I will.” I slid my free hand down the front of her shirt-dress and pulled it up until I could slide my hand into her thong. I didn’t need to go far though, the fabric was soaked. “Your body is telling me that you are very much into this.”

 

“Dimitri, you know that I am. How many breaking and entering scenarios have we done?” She huffed. “Just get it over with.”

 

She was submitting to me. Holy fuck. My cock twitched at the thought of her giving in and that turned me on just as much. “Look at you, so beautiful.” I bit into her shoulder and she yelped, then moaned, deep breathing through the pain. “I can feel your pussy clenching. You love this don't you?”

 

“Fuck. You.”

 

“That’s not a stop.” I kept slowly exploring with my fingers. First tracing around the outside of her pussy, then sliding two fingers in and out. She shivered. “You like this, I know you do.” 

 

She moaned a yes, then started to grind her hips on my hand. “I need more.” I turned her around to face me, pressing my hand against her soaked pussy and she ground on my palm. “Look at you, rubbing yourself on me like a cat in heat. So desperate for my cock.”

 

“Fuck me.” Her voice was breathy and quiet. “I’ll scream your name like you ask all the time.”

 

Astrid was still convinced I was Dimitri. Time to change that. “Fraidy cat, you keep rubbing yourself on me like that and I won’t have a choice but to fuck you.” 

 

“Please do…” She leaned forward and nipped at my arm. “Or let me go. Pick one.” When I looked down, she was smirking up at me through her lashes like a Cheshire cat. I picked the right animal to compare her to, I guess.

 

I pushed her down onto her knees then motioned for her to turn around. Surprisingly she did what I had asked of her without questioning me. Then she got down on her elbows and put her delicious ass in the air. I let out a groan as I dropped to my knees and reared back. “I won’t be soft and gentle.” I warned as I slapped her ass, then rubbed it slowly. “I’m going to fuck you hard and fast.” 

 

“Good. That’s what I’m hoping for.” She moaned as I slid my fingers into her again and curled them up. Her hips bucked against my hand. “Fuck Dimitri, you always know what to do.” 

 

“Quit fucking calling me Dimitri.” I growled. Nearly giving myself away. 

 

“Sure thing.” She turned and winked at me. 

 

“Don’t fucking look at me either.” I put my hand between her shoulder blades and pushed her down. She went down easily, resting her forehead on the ground. I wanted her to be dirty, covered in mud. She’d think about me when she got a shower tonight. Wondering if I was Dimitri or a stranger. 

Chapter 13

Astrid

I heard a zipper and a calm came over me. This is what Dimitri and I did. We picked and picked until the other person was pissed off, then we’d fuck and get over it. It was a balance.

 

He sunk himself deep inside me and I gasped. “Not so mouthy now, are you?” He did just as he promised and pounded into me, again and again. I tried to keep my face up, but I just couldn’t. I dropped my head into the mud. Giving into him. “I can feel you squeezing my cock, Astrid. Fuck that’s incredible.”

 

The more I was abused the harder I got off and this was my exact brand of medicine. “Let go Astrid. Give yourself to me.”

 

“Never!” I yelled into the darkness as I collapsed forward and he came on my back. I sat there for a minute, not fully letting myself accept what just happened but also just soaking it up. Just listening to the owls and the wind rustling through the corn stalks. 

 

“You are fucking beautiful Astrid. This won’t be the last time.” Then I heard a zipper and retreating footsteps. Just like that, I was fucked in a janky corn maze and left with my skirt up and cum on my back. 

 

I slowly stood up and found the path to the maze and back out to the backyard of the house. Then as casually as I could I walked into the house and back to the bathroom. “Astrid, are you okay?” Ander. Shit. 

 

“Umm yeah. I’ll be there in a minute.” Nice thing about a house party, you can find most things by being nosy. I was able to find a washcloth and used the hand soap to wash my face and scrub the mud from my hair. It was caked in, but when I got what I could out, I braided it and you couldn’t tell. 

 

When I opened the door, Ander was standing on the opposite wall on his phone. “Ander, do you mind if we just go home.” I paused. He couldn’t go to my home. Dimitri was there. Fuck. “Well, can you take me home? I just…I’m tired and today was a long day.” I should have found Dimitri and had him drive us back to Grandmas, but I didn’t have the energy to hunt him down. 

 

“Of course, Astrid. Anything.” He put his hand out and I took it happily. 

 

The ride back to my house was excruciatingly quiet. He pulled up to the curb and turned to face me. “I’m sorry if that party was a bad call. Normally Toby’s parties are better.” 

 

“No. That’s not it.” It’s that I got chased through a corn field, twisted my ankle and fucked by a stranger and I didn’t feel guilty about that. I should. I most definitely should feel violated and guilty. But I didn’t. I was just as fucked up at Dimitri was, which is why we continued to gravitate back to each other. Ander was too good for me. I looked at the house, then back to Ander. “I’m just tired. We’ll have to try this again.” I leaned over and cupped his cheek in my hand. Then leaned in for a kiss. He was so sweet, slowly moving his lips on mine, not taking too much, but just enough. “Good night, Ander.” I got out and walked up to the house. Time to face the devil on my shoulder. 

 

The house was dark, but it was also after midnight. So that wasn’t a surprise. I saw my lamp on, which again, not a surprise. It’s the fact that Dimitri was reading when I walked through the bedroom door. 

 

“Hello Astrid.” He cocked his head. “I see you had a good night.” He stood up and walked towards me slowly accessing my appearance. “Why are you limping? Did you not take care of yourself like I told you to do?”

 

“Don’t worry about it.” I tried to get around Dimitri but he blocked me in. “Dimitri. Please. I’m tired.

 

He tipped his head the other way now, and somehow, he looked more menacing. “Are tired Banshee? Would you possibly be tired from running through a cornfield at night?”

 

My mouth fell open then betrayal flooded over me. “I knew it was you.” I growled, shoving him back. 

 

“Do you honestly think that I’d let you go anywhere with anyone else? I marked you Banshee. You are fucking mine. I don’t care if you go on a date, I don’t care if you kiss someone else. Hell, I don’t even care if you let someone else come in or on you. But know that I will be the last one dripping from that needy cunt of yours.” He used his index finger to close my mouth. “I am a little hurt that you didn’t recognize me.” 

 

“I was scared.” I growled. “You fucking scared me. ON PURPOSE!” I narrowed my eyes on him. “And I did recognize you in the idiotic mask. You just denied it was you, which honestly shouldn’t surprise me.” 

 

“You made a very deliberate decision to disobey me and you had to pay.” He was so proud of himself and that made me angrier. 

“Fuck you Dimitri. Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you.” I shoved him backwards even further and limped to the bathroom. “I should have known better. You are right. You claim to care about me, but then you do shit like that. I could have hit my head!” I know I was yelling now, and I hoped that I wouldn’t wake up Grandma. 

 

“Now, now. I asked if you wanted me to stop. You didn’t say stop. You gave it to me.” Dimitri leaned down, “I’m going to let you in on a secret.” 

 

“Fuck. You.” I leaned back away from him as far as I could. 

 

“You hold the power here. I’ll do anything for you.” He ran his nose along my jaw. “I just ask for you to give yourself to me.”

 

“You make that sound easy.” I spat back. I wanted to be unbothered by what Dimitri said. But I just kept repeating it in my head. 

 

When I got out of the shower, he was laying down, the lights were off now. I settled in and he formed his body to mine. “Good night, Astrid.” He kissed my shoulder softly and I didn’t have it in me anymore to fight him tonight. 

Chapter 14

Astrid

Grandma and I would spend the week cooking and doing crafts. Stuff that she didn’t want to do alone, except now, Dimitri was here. And he was involved in EVERYTHING. 

 

We made cookies and he made sure to make a comment that he’d have to marry me if I made these cookies for him. My grandmother LITERALLY swooned and blushed. She was completely smitten with Dimitri. 

 

Because of course he would make my sweet, innocent grandma fall in love with him. 

 

Then we made steaks, then lasagna, then homemade spaghetti sauce and noodles. He, of course, loved all of it. That fucking weasel ate the food we slaved over and sat in the kitchen the entire time. Just laughing with MY grandma. Winning her over. Again and again. 

 

I laid in bed, staring at my ceiling fan of my childhood room and Dimitri laid down next to me, propping up on his elbow to look at me. “What’s your deal?” He ran his fingers up and down my side. I didn’t reply, because fuck that guy. I didn’t even look at him. “Cat got your tongue?” He skimmed his fingers up the middle of my chest and grabbed my chin making me look at him. “You haven’t let me fuck you, you haven’t even smiled at me in a week. Talk to me. What is your problem?”

 

“Cat got your tongue? I see what you did there.” I jerked my head away and turned to look out the window, putting my back to him. I spotted movement but I didn’t really see anything and I was too distracted by Dimitri teasing me. 

 

He curled up behind me, putting one arm under my neck, his other arm around my waist and his legs tight to mine.  “You think you can hide from me? I know you Astrid. My little screaming banshee. My toy. My whore.” He pulled up the side of my shirt slowly. “You are mine, and the sooner you see that, the sooner you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the ride.”

 

“I don’t know what you're talking about.” I scooted away but he jerked my body back into him. “Dimitri, you broke up with me. You said I wasn’t good enough and left me.”

 

“But did I leave you? Did I say those words to you?” He said in a cheerful voice that irritated me more. “Answer me Astrid. Did I leave you?”

 

“No.” I huffed. “Because you’re fucking annoying.” 

 

“No, I didn't leave. I didn’t leave because I did what you asked. Do you remember that day?” Of course I remembered, but I didn’t answer him. “Fine. Don’t talk. Just listen. I know you can do that.” He laughed under his breath and I held back the urge to ask what he was referring to. 

 

He continued on, his low, calm voice lulling me into the story. 

 

“The day we broke up, you came in fired up because Poppy saw me with another girl at school. You were so pissed off and it was adorable.” I attempted to turn around and glare at him but he kept me pinned with my back to his chest. “You yelled and screamed about how it was the last time that you’d ever feel jealousy over me talking to another girl. Then do you remember what you asked me?”

 

“No.” I answered quietly. 

 

“Then I’ll remind you.” He kissed my shoulder tenderly. “You asked me to break up with you because you couldn’t bring yourself to do it.” 

 

Yep. I definitely remember that. It hurt so fucking bad. I loved him and time after time he stomped all over my feelings and I thought I’d feel liberated when we broke up, then he didn’t move out or change rooms…not that he could anyway. Cage had already moved in. 

 

“So, I did what you asked. I broke it off. Did I go and date other girls?” He paused with another kiss, “You can answer me.” 

 

I could answer him but I didn’t want to. “You didn’t. But it’s hard to date another girl when you still live and sleep with your ex.”

 

“It’s almost like I didn’t want to end things with you.” His voice dripped with sarcasm, which pissed me off. I forced myself to roll over and he was nose to nose with me. “Astrid, I meant what I said at the haunted house. Why would I leave the girl who sets my soul on fire?”

 

“Why would you continue to taunt and torture me?” I’m such an idiot. I keep making the same mistakes over and over again, just like right now. I leaned into his touch, his body. He ran his hand down my side then behind my thigh and pulled my leg over his hip. Perfectly showing me that he was hard as a fucking rock. The only thing between us was a top sheet. 

 

“Because I can.” Dimitri’s lips slammed down on mine. “Because you are mine.” He growled before rolling me onto my back. It was only now that my idiot, pea brain realized he was completely naked. His body flexed against mine and I moaned. “Now I’m going to fuck you and you’ll know that it’s me.” 

 

He braced himself on either side of me, holding my face so that I couldn’t look away. “I fucking hate you so goddamn much.” I hissed, turning my head and biting his arm. “You continue to fuck with my head.”

 

“No, I’m fucking your needy pussy.” He held himself up with his other hand and reached down between us, pushing my shorts to the side. “Look at that. You are even ready for me.” I couldn’t stop the gasp as he sunk into me. “There she is.” My back bowed as he slowly pulled out, then pushed back in again. “These moans and gasps are for me and me alone.”

 

He buried himself in me again and again, almost tenderly, which wasn’t on brand for him. Slowly kissing me, his hands weaved into my hair. I preferred the abuse, then I knew where I stood with Dimitri. Right now, I don't know how to take this. It was too much. 

 

“Astrid, look at me. Right now.” Dimitri’s voice pulled me back. “Don’t be scared of me. Don’t hide from me.” 

 

“I…I can’t…I can’t do this.” I will not cry because of Dimitri. I refuse. I blinked and a few tears rolled out. He ducked his head down and licked them off of my cheek.

 

“Yes, you can.” He stopped the slow thrusts into me and just sat there. His cock buried to the hilt inside me. I could feel his pulse inside me, like a fucked-up lullaby. “Listen to me, we are inevitable. You and I, we are meant to be. Stop fighting me on this. Do I feel wrong? Does this feel wrong?” Dimitri pulled his hips back slowly, then back in. I could feel everything. 

 

“No. It doesn’t.” I forced myself to answer him. To be honest with him. 

 

Then he leaned down and kissed me again and it took my breath away. “You take control. On your terms.” In one smooth move he flipped onto his back and I sat up, his cock still buried deep inside me. 

 

“Fuck it.” I leaned down and kissed him like my life depended on it. He growled and held my shoulders down as he thrusted up into me. This was more like it. Taking what he wanted and I needed. This is what I was used to. “Dimitri, oh god, yes. Please…”

 

“Yell my name when you come on my cock. No one else.” He grabbed my ponytail that was now hanging loose and twisted my head to the side. I felt his body tense up and he moaned into my neck. “Fuck Banshee, I need you so goddamn much, I hope that you know that.” 

 

Bracing myself on his ribs I sat up, taking the control he said that I’d have. “Touch me.”

 

He looked confused for a second then he smirked. “Your wish is my command.” Then he put his hand between us and slowly rubbed my clit. “You are fucking soaked Astrid. You remember this when you say you hate me.”

 

“Shut the fuck up.” I leaned down and kissed him again, giving him something else to do other than fucking chat. I was a sucker for his kisses anyway. 

 

My body locked up, forcing Dimitri to grab my hips again and thrust up into me and I was a goner. He felt incredible beneath me. How could I not give into him? 

 

I relaxed down onto his chest and sighed. “Fuck, I hate you.” He just laughed and ran his hands up and down my back. 

 

“Weird way to say you're obsessed with me, but whatever.” Dimitri pulled out of me and wrapped his arms right around my body that was still on top of him. 

Chapter 15

Ghost Face

Dimitri looked right at me while he fucked Astrid. Both times. If I thought I was angry before I’m fucking pissed off now. I had one more weekend to make her mine, and he was cutting me off at every opportunity. 

 

From the cornfield, where he put her on her hands and knees right in front of me and fucked her into the mud. He made sure that she didn’t see me, but I had a perfect view of them together. He looked right at me while he fucked her into submission. 

 

To right now he gave me a sinister grin while she was lying comfortably on his chest. Sound asleep. Rubbing it in that he could use and abuse her again and again, and she’d still return to him. Like she was under a spell. 

 

Jealousy raged through me. I flexed my hands by my sides. I’d have her one way or another. 

 

One more weekend. One more party. One more haunted house to show my little Fraidy cat who she truly belonged to. 

 

 

 

Chapter 16

Astrid

Saturday night Dimitri and I got dressed as Wednesday Addams and Xavier Thorpe from the Netflix show. I made him wear his glasses, which I know he hated but it fit the nerdy weirdo vibes that I wanted. Also, he was a bit less scary in his glasses. 

 

He opened the door to the Charger and I climbed in, then he walked around, got in and started it. “Are you going to be difficult tonight?” He put the car in drive but didn’t move. 

 

“No. I won’t. Darling.” I made sure my voice was very sweet. He side eyed me, then a smirk that made me feel giddy. And it shouldn’t, but for the most part he spent the week staying out of the way and that made me very happy. Also, no more appearances from the ghost face guy, leading me to believe it was definitely Dimitri. 

 

Tonight was the big costume party and tour through the house of Bridget and Edward. Of course, Poppy opted for the night time tour by candlelight. Which was just battery-operated tea lights in plastic lanterns. That was fine, it was creepy either way. 

 

“Oh my goodness. You two look amazing.” Poppy gushed as we walked up. Cage was hanging on her arm like always. He was never far away from where she was. From the way they were looking at each I might get my wish of him moving in with her and Dimitri can have his own bedroom. 

 

“Thank you.” I had on a black skater dress, black and white stockings, black chunky boots and my hair in two long braided pigtails. 

Dimitri leaned down, pulling my head to the side by one of the pigtails. “I especially love these.” 

 

“Stop.” I fixed the nearly perfect braid and took a step to the side. 

 

“Glasses, huh? Did you not bring enough contacts?” Cage prodded at Dimitri. 

 

“I let Astrid choose the costumes and apparently the glasses make it believable.”

 

Poppy grinned. “But Xavier didn’t….” 

 

I lunged forward, slamming my hand on her mouth. “And he wasn’t as cute as Dimitri is right now. Right?” She nodded yes behind my hand. 

 

I had a plan. Dimitri’s Achilles heel is that he couldn’t see well without his glasses. He wouldn’t be chasing me in the dark and I’d see glasses under a mask. I didn’t need Cage and Poppy ruining this for me. 

 

Poppy seemed to pick up on my hint and smiled behind my hand. I slowly dropped back next to Dimitri’s side and he made a point to smack my ass making me yelp. “You are trouble.” I did love him in his glasses, he was so much more adorable. More humble. 

 

“Am I trouble or IN trouble? The second one sounds like more fun.” I winked and he grabbed my arm tightly. 

 

“Fucking watch it.” Dimitri wanted to sound menacing, but he didn’t scare me. Also, he was smiling just a little bit. He enjoyed the games as much as I did.

 

“I don’t think so.” I jogged to catch up with Poppy and Cage, looking around for Ander. He had to be here. Halloween weekend at the infamous house of Edward and Bridget was peak Halloween activities. As in, you wouldn’t want to miss it. The place was packed and the chances of seeing a ghost tonight were slim, but maybe we’d get lucky and see someone. 

 

“Hey!” I glanced behind me and Ander was running up. He was dressed as Edward. “You look awesome. A perfect Wednesday Addams.” I let my eyes scan up and down his costume. He had on black slacks, a white button up shirt and a black vest. What can I say, it was easy to be Edward. 

 

“Thank you.” I did a spin and he caught me. Oh, he was feeling brave today. I looked back to where Dimitri was and he wasn’t paying attention, at least not obviously. By now I didn’t give a fuck what he thought. We were broken up, if I wanted to flirt with Ander, I was going to. There was nothing he could do about it.

 

Poppy dragged Cage around us, Dimitri leaned down to my ear as he sauntered by. “Be careful Banshee, you are playing with fire.” 

Grabbing his arm, I made sure that he heard me, digging my nails into his bicep. “Then watch me burn, babe.” I winked and he narrowed his eyes on me before jerking out of my grasp and catching up to Cage and Poppy. 

 

“I see you worked through whatever you needed to.” Ander grinned down at me. 

 

“I’m over it Ander.” I proclaimed. Maybe if I said that I was done with Dimitri enough times, he’d just go away. Manifest that he’d be out of my life for good. 

 

We walked into the house, it was an old home and creepy enough as it is. Whoever owned it now, didn’t need to decorate it. The story of the ghosts of Edward and Bridget was enough to scare people. 

 

The tea lights didn’t provide much guidance as you walked through the house. We were early enough that there weren't a lot of people yet. I kept my eyes down, trying not to trip. The last thing I needed to do was hurt myself again. Twice was enough. “You know, there is a cemetery out back where Edward’s headstone is located. They didn’t find his body.”

 

“I’ve heard the stories.” I answered quietly, admiring the antique furnishings in the house. 

 

“We should check it out.” I paused, looking up at him. “I promise I won’t lose you or let you twist your ankle.”

 

That comment made me laugh. It’s like we were cursed. Every time I tried to do anything with Ander, I got hurt and subsequently fucked by ghost mask guy. Maybe the cemetery wasn’t such a bad idea?

Chapter 17

Ghost Face

There she was.

 

Her perfect Wednesday Addams costume teasing me. She was so fucking sexy. 

 

I stayed back watching her with Ander and Dimitri. She just poked and prodded at them, teasing them. Pitting them against each other. She wasn’t stupid. She knew that Dimitri had a mean streak, and she thought he used it on her, but he didn’t. Anyone could see that he was constantly watching her. Even when she was flirting with another man. 

 

“Yo, c’mon. You're lagging behind.” I jogged up to the group and stayed in the back so that I could watch her too. She would be mine tonight. 

 

“Ghosts don’t go to crowds, I’m more likely to see a ghost on my own.” I pointed out quietly. The girl in front of me, who I didn’t know, just turned back and smiled. She had been flirting with me since I got to town but I didn’t give her the time of day. I only had Astrid in mind, and she would see that soon enough. 

Chapter 18

Astrid

We got through the house with no ghostly appearances. Then Ander and I broke away to go to the cemetery. No one dared go out there, so it was just the two of us. Not even Dimitri followed, although I’m sure that he was very close behind somewhere. 

 

“This is eerie.” We walked down the overgrown path, with trees were growing through the sidewalk and the headstones were barely readable. Then we got to a clearing where three stones were cleared off and well kept. There was a fresh bouquet of flowers on each stone. “That’s sweet.” I said slowly. “I wonder who put these out here.” 

 

“I’m not sure.” Ander squatted down, fixing one of the arrangements so it was neater. “This is really cool actually.” He commented quietly. 

 

“It is.” He was acting off, but we were also in a cemetery. There is that. 

 

When he stood back up, his eyes widened, then took a few steps back from me. “Ander, what’s wrong?” 

 

“Fuck.” He whispered under his breath, taking another step back. Then he pointed behind me. I turned around slowly and looked towards the house, expecting to see either ghost face guy or an actual ghost given the way he was acting, but I didn’t see anything. Ander’s body slammed into mine and he was laughing now. “You should have seen your face.” He picked me up and spun me around. 

 

“Jesus, you scared the shit out of me.”

 

Ander set my feet down gently then turned me around to face him. “That was the point.” Then his lips were on mine. I didn’t expect that, but I wouldn’t turn it down either. Snaking my arms around his neck I pulled him down closer to me. This fire had been building for a couple weeks now, and I felt like I was going to explode. “Fuck Astrid. You taste just how I imagined.” 

 

Oh wow. Sweet, all-American Ander dirty talked. I could melt right now. I almost hated that I had to go home with Dimitri on Sunday. I had to go back to our apartment and exist again with him, navigating that messy situation. 

 

For tonight, I’d just fuck around with Ander. 

 

He leaned down, running his hands down my back to my thighs, then picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He was thick….in all the right places. Where Dimitri was lean, but still incredibly strong. Ander was thick like a football player and fucking strong. My back crashed into a tree as he continued to kiss me down my neck to my chest. “Ander, fuck. This has been a long time coming.” I panted, trying to stay up, even though he had a solid hold on my ass. 

 

I felt like we were being watched, but that thought quickly escaped me as he held me with one arm and unzipped his fly with the other. 

 

Holy fuck, this was actually happening. In one smooth motion, Ander lifted me up then lined up his cock with my pussy then slowly pulled me back down. He moaned deep in his chest and it felt incredible. I breathed out his name and he bit into my neck. “Holy fuck Astrid, I’ve waited so long for this.” 

 

Honestly, same. I dug my nails into his shoulders. Feeling everything, everywhere. Ander didn’t hold back, he pistoned into me hard. My back being scratched up by the bark, the cool air around us. I think I had a new favorite activity, being fucked in a cemetery. “Ander, fuck you feel so good.”

 

“That’s my girl. Do you feel what you do to me? Do you feel how hard I am?” I raked my nails across his shoulders and he tipped his head back, moaning loudly. “You take my cock so well.” 

 

A slew of groans and incoherent mumbling came from my mouth as the orgasm tore through my body and he quickly followed. Pushing deep inside me. “Holy fuck Astrid.” We stood there like that for a few minutes before he slowly lowered my feet down and slowly kissed me. 

 

I tipped my head up and every ounce of satisfaction left my body. There was a familiar masked man sitting in the branches above us. Head cocked, looking down and I swear I saw a smile. 

 

The part that got me was that I didn’t recognize the smile or the eyes. I didn’t know who this was. 

 

“Astrid. You have been a very bad girl.” The man slowly climbed down, keeping his eyes on Ander and I. Ander didn’t seem scared at all. He brought me around behind him, using his body to block me. 

 

“I told you to wait.” Ander hissed. “You’ll have your moment.”

 

“I’m tired of fucking waiting.” Ghost face replied. “She’s mine. And you warmed her up for me. How kind of you.”

 

“Hold on.” I stepped out around Ander. “You knew?” 

 

I was seconds away from punching both of them. Ander for betraying me and the sick masked fucker who just watched Ander fuck me. “Of course I knew. I saw him the first night we met. Then we worked together to get you here.”

 

I narrowed my eyes on the masked man, “You aren’t Dimitri. He’s a possessive motherfucker. He would never let it get this far.”

 

“Good job.” Dimitri stepped out of the tree line clapping slowly. “You aren’t always so quick, I’m proud of you.” He sneered. 

 

“Fuck. You.” I charged up to Dimitri and poked him in the chest. “You are a mean, fucked up…” my words came to a sputtering end and he smiled down at me. 

 

“Fucker?” He grabbed my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “I orchestrated this entire thing. Do you truly think you’d get to just fuck around without me knowing or screening them?”

 

I jerked out of his grasp and spun around on the mystery man. “Who are you?” I kept my voice low. I really didn’t want to draw attention to whatever this was. 

 

“I won’t be indulging that information.” Dimitri answered for him. “Now down on your knees, Banshee. He’s been patiently waiting for you.” 

 

I knew this was wrong. 

 

I was fully aware of how messed up this was. I knew it when I was turned on at the prospect of fucking in a cemetery. When I was turned on at the thought of being watched, both times. And right now. Being used and Dimitri telling two full grown men what to do to me. 

 

Slowly I dropped to my knees, putting my hands behind me as if they were tied. 

 

“She’s well trained.” Ander commented quietly. Which should piss me but right now I was too zoned in on the masked man in front of me. Who was this man? Maybe he’d have a tattoo I’d recognize. 

 

My eyes scanned down his body to his veiny hand palming his impressive cock. This was actually happening and I was an active and willing participant. 

 

 

 

Chapter 19

Ghost Face

Like the perfect little plaything Astrid was, she kneeled in front of me while Dimitri stood back, his arms crossed directing her. “You are gorgeous Astrid.” I stroked my hand down her cheek with my free hand and she closed her eyes. 

 

“Open your mouth, Astrid.” Her mouth dropped open and I stuck my thumb in. “Suck on his thumb. Show him what you can do.” 

 

She closed her mouth and swirled her tongue around the end of my thumb and I swear I could have gotten off just from that action alone. All the dirty thoughts I had about her had led to his. My moment in the spotlight. I didn’t give a fuck that I had an audience right now. I just needed her like I needed to breathe. 

 

“Open your mouth Banshee.” Dimitri said in a low voice, stepping up out of the shadow and behind her. Her mouth dropped open again. I met his eyes and he nodded. His approval was something I didn’t know I needed. If it made Astrid cooperate, then I’d do anything he said too. “Tongue out.” She obeyed. 

 

I met his gaze again. “You will come in her mouth but she will not swallow.” His eyes darted to Ander, then back to me. “Will you obey me?”

 

“Yes.” I answered quickly, slowly stroking my cock through my compression shorts. 

 

“Then fuck her face, and show no mercy.” Dimitri knelt down behind Astrid, then looked up at me, cupping her face in his hands. 

I ran the head of my cock around her lips like lipstick, then slowly pushed it in. She swallowed when I hit the back of her throat but she didn’t gag. “Open your eyes Astrid, look at him.” 

 

Her eyes opened and her deep brown eyes looked right up at me. Astrid was gorgeous. She blinked, and I could see her mind scrambling to figure out who I was but she’d never know. After tonight, I’d never see her again. At least not like this. 

 

“Use her.” Dimitri demanded. “You don’t need to be nice. She deserves every ounce of wrath you have for defying me.” 

 

Game on. I weaved my hands into her hair and thrusted deeper, now she gagged and saliva dripped from the corners of her mouth. Dimitri kept her head up, not letting her pull back or turn away from me. I’ve never been into men, but watching the way he handled her. Fuck, even that was turning me on. 

 

“Remember Astrid, don’t swallow.” He reminded her and her eyes darted to him, then back to me. 

 

“Oh fuck.” I growled as I came hard, holding her face still while I finished in her mouth. I slowly pulled back, cum and spit running down her face. 

 

Dimitri pulled Astrid back into his chest and put his hand out in front of her. “Spit.” He demanded and she did. All of it, into his hand. I watched as he wiped his hand onto the ground. “Do you want more?” Dimitri grabbed her chin and made her look at him. Now her hair was messed up, make-up smeared and her dress disheveled. 

 

Astrid didn’t say anything. She just glared at him. “If you want any say in this, you speak right fucking now.” He growled and she opened her mouth, then closed it again. I saw the smile play on her face. She liked this. The show of hating Dimitri was just that. A show. She loved the abuse and reign of terror he had on her life. 

 

“Fine.” He stood up, then pulled her up with him. “Then I’m going to fuck in in front of them. Then they’ll know exactly who you belong to.” His eyes moved to mine. “Do not look away from me. From my cock burying inside her.” Then he looked at Ander. “You too.”

 

I nodded and I’m pretty sure that Ander did too. 

Chapter 20

Astrid

I felt like my brain was mush. I let Dimitri pull me around, posing me and using me. 

 

It was glorious. I spent so much time fighting him, I forgot what it was like to cooperate. He’d take care of me, I knew this, but the fight was just as fun sometimes.

 

“Leg up.” He tapped my right hip and I obeyed. Then he placed my foot on the top of the headstone of Edward Forge. I should probably feel guilty for that, but he wasn’t technically buried here, right?

 

He then hiked my short dress to my hips, “Fucking mine.” Dimitri’s voice was a deep growl in my ear. “And we’ll show them. Right?”

 

I nodded yes, panting as quietly as I could. My pride hurt a little that I was just bending to his will…but his will could be very convincing. 

 

“I’d call you a good girl, but you’ve always been a slut for me.” Dimitri’s voice was low as he snaked his hand down between my legs, then I heard the click of a knife opening. “I think these need to go.” He easily cut off my thong and threw it out in front of us. The ghost mask guy dove for it then slinked back to his spot leaning on a tree. 

 

I let my eyes wander to both of them, Ander to my left leaning on a headstone, his cock out and sticking out in front of him. Then to the ghost mask guy, now with my soaked thong in his hand palming his cock. I did this. They are here because of me. Because of me just existing and them being obsessed. 

 

With me. 

 

Fuck, even Dimitri was here because of me. He pursued me. He continued to be in my life because I was in high demand. 

 

That feeling made me a queen here. At this moment, I was in charge. My reactions would get them off. That was a heady feeling. I tipped my head back and closed my eyes, soaking in everything around me. From the trees rustling, to people screaming in the distance at the haunted house, to the moaning from the men near me. 

 

“There you go…let it all go for me.” Dimitri hummed in approval, he shuffled around behind me and then I felt the head of his cock rubbing my clit. “I have to mark my territory as someone has been a bad girl and let another man come inside her.” 

 

He slid in slowly and I felt every one of his muscles flexing against my back. He was as turned on as I was, trying to keep his careful control. I could test that. “Dimitri…” I moaned quietly and he bit into my shoulder. “You feel so good.” 

 

“You know who you belong to, and yet you defy me.” 

 

The angle he had me at was awkward, but it wasn’t for me. It was a power play, and it was to show Ander and the masked stranger who ran the show. Dimitri was doing exactly what he said he’d do and that was to prove his point to both of the men in front of me. 

 

“I can tell you're thinking about something.” His voice was low in my ear as he slowly pushed in and out of me. “If you even consider fighting me, I will make sure that everyone in that haunted house knows exactly what’s happening and invite them to watch your undoing.” 

 

“You wouldn’t though, would you.” I sneered. “You are too possessive for that.” 

 

His silence said everything I needed to know. He was pissed off, which was perfect for me. Dimitri shoved me forward onto my hands and knees, then kneeled behind me. His hand landed hard on my ass before he buried himself inside me. An involuntary scream escaped my lips and I ducked my head down, trying to catch my breath. “Dimitri…please…”

 

“What are you begging for?” Ander asked quietly. 

 

“I want to come.” I cried out. I was so sensitive from Dimitri’s torture and abuse. I wanted the release. I wanted to feel him break for me like I would break for him. 

 

“Oh, pretty Banshee. Look at you begging for my cock. Just like you should be.” I closed my eyes, trying to regain some kind of control here but that was slipping away. Listening to the three men around me slowly come undone was not helping me. 

 

Their moans. Skin slapping on skin. The silence from the haunted house being closed now. It was just us and no one else. The cool breeze made my nipples ache, it was either that or Dimitri’s death grip on my hips as he impaled me. “Holy fuck.” He ground out, coming to one final hard slam into me and I felt his cock jerk inside me. 

 

All of the air left my body, my clit aching even more. I just needed a little bit more from him. Either that or I’d do it myself. Dimitri’s hand reached down and pulled my head up by my pigtails that were miraculously still intact. “Did you honestly think I’d let them hear you come? Fucking idiot.” He pulled out slowly and I whimpered. 

 

Fuck, I just needed a release. I needed something from one of these assholes to feel better. 

 

Now laying in the middle of the three of them, I was frozen. He didn’t tell me what to do next and I knew if I did anything it would be wrong. “None of you move.” Dimitri ordered. “She can take care of herself for her behavior.” He stepped back, then crouched down between my knees. “Compose yourself Astrid.” 

 

I met his gaze and he looked like a predator stalking me. “Do exactly as I tell you and you’ll get to finish.” I quickly nodded yes. “Put your hand between your legs.” I immediately darted my hand down to where he’d just been, I could feel that my thighs were soaked. “So eager banshee, it’s cute.” He sneered and I knew I was pathetic now, but I wasn’t stopping. 

 

“Please Dimitri.” I laid my head back on the rough ground but I didn’t move my hand. He didn’t tell me to. 

 

I heard him laugh, but he didn’t make an attempt to help me. “Now, use your two fingers and circle your aching clit.” 

 

Ah, yes. Finally! I used my two fingers and did as he said, slowly circling my clit. Thinking about how his cock felt plunged into me again and again. Thinking about how me doing this was going to get two men off. “Ander, what do you want?” Dimitri asked quietly. 

 

“Use your free hand to play with your nipples.” He answered quickly. I did as he said and brought my other hand up to squeeze and pinch my nipples. It felt so good. Everything felt good. 

 

Dimitri leaned forward, unable to help himself and kissing the inside of my thighs humming with approval. “We taste so good together, Banshee. Would you like to come?”

 

“Yes please.” Like he could stop me, but I’d let him think he had a choice.

 

Dimitri slowly pushed his fingers into me, curling them up. “Oh, you are so fucking wet right now, I know that’s all for me Banshee. You can’t lie to me.” 

 

“No.” My body convulsed, and I couldn’t stop it. There was no fucking way I was waiting for him. I moaned his name and the sound of men moaning got my attention. I slowly rolled my head first to Ander who was on his knees, coming on the ground in front of him. Then to the ghost mask guy who was coming into my underwear that Dimitri cut off of me. 

 

“Still defying me. Hmm.” Dimitri sat back on his heels. “You’ll pay for that later, but for now I see that you are exhausted and that is no fun.” 

 

Dimitri stood up, then put his hand out. “Up.” 

 

I forced myself up, taking his hand. I felt like an idiot in the now dirty dress, my hair was destroyed, makeup smeared. I met his gaze and he was smirking down at me in the way that made my skin crawl and excited me. Without looking away, he dismissed Ander and the ghost mask guy with a hand motion, then wrapped his arms around me. “Remember this, Astrid. You are it for me, whether you are a willing participant or not. I suggest you be a willing participant though.” He kissed my forehead and I melted into his chest. The exhaustion was hitting me hard. 

 

“Can we go home please.” I asked quietly. 

 

“Yes.” He blocked me from potential wandering eyes, but I heard the two men that were near us walk off when he dismissed them, so I know it was just the two of us. “We need to clean you up though. Your Grandma would lose it if I brought you home like this.”

 

Chapter 21

Astrid

I felt like a zombie walking into Grandma’s house, Dimitri walked me upstairs to our room and closed the door behind us. He stopped me halfway through the room and slowly unzipped my dress and let it fall to the floor, then undid the loose braid he had put in before we left the cemetery. “Do you remember what I’m the best at?”

 

“After care.” I answered quietly. He leaned forward, pressing his lips to the back of my head before steering me towards the bathroom. 

 

“Good girl Astrid. You did fucking good.” He turned on the shower. “I prefer the bathtub at the apartment.”

 

“Me too.” I stepped in and watched the mud wash down the drain, then he stepped in, raising each of my arms and putting my palms on the wall. 

 

“Now breathe baby, deep and slow breaths.” I did as he said, breathing in the smell of his body wash. Instead of a wash cloth he put the soap on his hands and moved them languidly over my body, massaging as he went along. My entire body was sore and his strong hands on my muscles felt amazing. 

 

He turned me around to face him and he did the same down the front of my body, massaging my shoulders, then carefully cleaning up the scrapes on my arms and legs. “Do these hurt?” He knelt down and kissed each knee. 

 

“Yes.” I admitted quietly. 

 

“I’ll get you some pain meds when we get out.” He was talking to himself, not to me and I was too tired to speak. He slowly rose back up, then used the removable shower head to rinse me off. “Do you feel better?”

 

“Yes.” 

 

“Good.” He turned my back to the water again and washed my hair with his shampoo and conditioner. By the time he was done, my eyes were practically glued shut and I was sleeping standing up. He helped me out of the shower, toweling me dry. Then handed me a few crackers and two pain pills. “Take these.” I gulped down the water, then he put the crackers in my hand. “Eat these.” I did as he said, going through the motions. 

 

Dimitri guided me to the bed and pulled the covers back, “Lay down.” His voice was low but not demanding. He never was for this part. 

Epilogue

Astrid

1 Week Later

I hated to return to classes after taking time off for Halloween. This was better than Christmas break and by far this Halloween would be one to beat next year. 

 

Dimitri leaned over to me in class and pressed his lips to my temple, “I’m glad we made up.” He’d been the perfect mix of sweet and cruel and I’m sick for loving every minute of it. 

 

“Good afternoon class. I have a new student coming in late this year, if you could help him get caught up that would be great.” The professor opened the door and Ander walked in. “This is Alexander Forge. He is coming to us from Port Crimson, like many of you have. I’m certain you’ve crossed paths with him at some point.” I looked at the empty seat in front of me. 

 

The only empty seat in the room. 

 

“There is a seat by Astrid, she’s a star student, so that’ll be a good place to be.” The professor grinned at me. I’d tutored students for this class a few times. 

 

“Ander Forge, huh. That sounds familiar.” The professor said as Ander sat down in front of me. 

 

“It should.” He turned around and grinned at me. “I’m related to the great Edward Forge who was lost to the sea supposedly. 

 

I looked between Ander and Dimitri who were talking now. “That’s a cool connection.” Cage commented. “I didn’t know that when were there earlier. Where are you staying? Hopefully nearby. We have so good parties at Dimitri’s place.”

 

I cleared my throat. “My place. My name is on the lease.”

 

“Whatever.” Cage waved me off. He moved in with Poppy the minute we got back. And my hopes of Dimitri moving into his room were dashed when Dimitri said that he found someone to fill the room already. 

 

I am a fucking idiot. 

 

“Are you kidding me?” I looked at Dimitri and he was smirking at me. “Are you kidding me right now?”

 

“What is it dear?” He asked innocently.

 

“Ander is the person to fill Cage’s room. Isn’t he?” I poked his chest. Not bothering to keep my voice down.

 

Dimitri stroked my hair, “Oh sweet Banshee. You thought you were done with us? Far from it.” 

 

Us? I looked between the three of them. “You guys…it was all of you…wasn’t it? It was all three of you fucking with me?”

 

I stood up, throwing my notebook and pens in my bag, not caring about how this looked right now. I got played. I got played so fucking bad. “Fuck all of you.”

 

“You’ll like living with them.” Cage said quietly, then I heard Ander laugh. “They put on a good show.” 

 

When I turned around Ander was acting all chummy with Dimitri and Cage. “Oh. I know.” Ander grinned at Cage, then turned to face me. “Hey Astrid. Good to see you again.”

 

“Is this a fucking joke!” I hissed. 

 

“Ander mentioned he needed a place to stay for the remainder of the year and Cage decided to move in with Poppy. So here we are.” He made it seem so easy? Like I hadn’t just been played and fucked with by both of them. 

 

I was grappling for words to hurt them, but I just couldn’t come up with anything. 

 

“Fraidy cat.” Cage winked then returned to his banter with Dimitri and Ander. Just like they’d been besties their entire lives. 

 

The world crashed around me. Was Cage the man in the corn field? No, that was Dimitri…or was it Ander? Since they all worked together the entire time apparently. 

 

I managed to make my way to the hallway and braced myself on the wall. I needed to breath. The classroom door closed behind me and when I turned around Dimitri slammed his hand against the wall next to me, then used his other hand to tip my face up to his. Cage and Ander were on either side. “This is going to be so much fun.”