Deceit (Gallows Hill #1)

50. Chapter Forty Nine

Chapter Forty Nine

Skyla

T urns out, Vincent wasn’t as upset as Liam or I thought he would be. Vincent and Ronan were waiting for me in my room when I got back, and before I could even sit them down and explain my feelings for Asher or what happened, Liam word vomited it to them.

“Guess who I just found making out with our girl in the parking lot?”

It took half a second for Ronan and Vincent to simultaneously say, “Asher.”

Apparently, they saw it coming even before I did. We all talked about it, Ronan said it didn’t matter to him and Vincent said that as long as he is the one who gets to kill him if he hurts me, then he’s fine with it. Which is very on brand for him but sweet, nonetheless.

The next morning, Liam and Vincent got called away early. Assumingly, to be summoned for tonight. Ronan spent the entire day with me, though, and his watchful eyes tracked every move I made.

I’ve been trying to keep it together, to not picture how absolutely embarrassing and humiliating it will be to be so vulnerable in front of so many people, a bunch of strange men no less. A knock on the door sends my body jolting, which Ronan takes note of before standing up and answering the door.

Waiting for me on the floor is a white box. He carries it inside, setting it onto the desk for me. The way he’s looking at it, it’s like he already knows what’s inside.

Peeling back the top, I reach inside and hold up the white silky material. It’s a nightgown, so smooth and sheer it’s practically see through, with at least fifty buttons going down from the neck to the floor. There is a card at the bottom. I lift it up to read the perfect scrawled penmanship across it.

This and nothing more.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Christopher

I frown, and Ronan plucks the card from my hand, giving a frown of his own.

“That’s kind of creepy, right?” I ask.

Ronan just swallows, tilting his head to the side consideringly before shaking it.

“He’s just trying to get into your head. Don’t let him.”

“Well, do I have to wear this thing?”

He nods and I frown. I mean, I suppose if I can keep it on during the ceremony, though I doubt I will be able to, it’ll be something. It’s better than them ordering me to march in completely naked, right?

We spend hours inside my room, mainly because I’m terrified to leave. Ronan said that we would have to leave at eleven thirty, but ever since it turned eleven, I haven’t been able to stop shaking. My stomach has been tight and ready to upturn all of its contents from the day but at eleven fifteen, I let it win and rush into the bathroom.

I heave and heave but to my disappointment, nothing is coming out. Instead, I’m left a panicked, shaking and sick mess. I don’t even feel the tears pouring down my face until they begin splashing against my arms. A knock comes from the door, Ronan’s voice soft and concerned.

“Are you okay, baby?”

“N-no,” I laugh self-deprecatingly.

“Asher is here. Do you want me to send him away?”

I think about it for a moment before I reach for some toilet paper, drying my face as best as I can before answering.

“Let him in.”

The bathroom door opens in the next moment, Asher’s face filled with sympathy as he crouches down beside me.

“Princess,” he says softly, as he wipes my tears away with his thumbs.

“Hi,” I say with a pathetic smile, as another tear drops.

“It’s gonna be okay. It’s one night. One night that I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to help you forget, okay?”

I nod, leaning into his touch as he cups my face.

“I wanted to check on you before I head out. Just keep your eyes on me the whole time, okay? Did Ronan explain everything to you?”

Nodding again, he blows out a soft breath.

“Good. I’m so sorry about this,” he says, pressing a lingering kiss to my forehead as he shakes his head and pulls away. “So sorry,” he whispers under his breath as he stands.

“I’ll see you soon,” I say with a watery smile.

He gives me a sad, tight lipped smile in response before stepping out of the bathroom. Ronan comes in right after him, dropping to the floor and pulling me into his lap. He cradles me like a wounded child, tucking me against his chest as he rocks me slightly. It’s calming, forcing me to relax for the first time since I woke up this morning.

“It’s almost time,” he murmurs against the crown of my head.

“I know,” I rasp, before slowly pulling myself to stand.

Ronan helps me, and I move to the counter to wash my face. Thankfully I knew I’d need to save makeup for last as I make sure to grab my waterproof mascara in case any more tears pop up. I do a half assed job that I’m sure I’ll be hearing about from my father later, but ask me if I care right now.

Once my makeup is done and my hair is brushed, I begin stripping out of my clothes until I’m completely naked. I undo the top, twenty or so buttons before slipping on the dress. Ronan steps forward, redoing them for me as I stand there like a doll for him to dress.

“Can I wear shoes?” I ask.

He looks at me consideringly before nodding.

“You’ll have to take them off once we are inside but for now, yes.”

My nose wrinkles. “Do you guys get to wear shoes?”

“Yes.”

“Then why can’t I?” I ask, defiance rippling through me.

Ronan instantly senses it and his fingers stall on the buttons, holding my shoulders tightly.

“Look at me.”

I do as he says, to find a serious expression on his face.

“I could not be more serious when I say this, Skyla. Do not talk back. Do not ask questions. Do. Not. Speak. The entire time we are there.”

Slowly, I nod. It’s not a hard concept. My father has always emphasized the importance of women being seen and not heard. An ideal that Aunt Steph undermined every chance she could. When we weren’t in my father’s presence, of course.

I slip on a pair of flats as the clock strikes eleven twenty and Ronan opens the door. I leave my key and phone here, since he said they wouldn’t be allowed wherever we are going anyways. As soon as we step outside the building, Ronan stops me in my tracks, tying a blindfold on my face.

“Seriously?” I ask.

“Sorry, baby. Rules.”

I scoff but let him tie the white satin material around my eyes as he begins guiding me. When we get to his car, he opens the door, helping me in before we begin driving. We drive for probably five minutes before we park, though I swear we just drove in a bunch of circles.

My flats thunk against the hard pavement before it soon changes to something different. My steps are more echoed, and a chill erupts over my spine as we carefully go down a set of stairs.

“Almost there,” Ronan says.

A musty smell fills my nose, and I do my best to breathe through my mouth as we walk. After a little ways, Ronan stops me, pulling my shoes off before setting them to the side.

“We have to go in here first. Keep your blindfold on,” he whispers, as he takes me into a room where a chilling voice greets us.

“Ah, welcome, Miss Parris,” a man says from my left.

I don’t say anything, giving a polite smile and a nod. Ronan lifts me up and onto a table before pushing me to lay down. I do as he guides, while I prepare for the examination.

Thankfully, Ronan gave me a heads up.

“Feet together and let your legs fall open please.”

My stomach rolling at the request, I do as he says, an appreciative guffaw falling from his lips that makes me sick.

“Mr. Putnam is a very lucky man. You’re so beautiful.”

“Is she a virgin or not?” Ronan grits through clenched teeth.

I can practically hear him working his jaw over and over again, so he doesn’t break this guy’s.

“It certainly appears so. Allow me to confirm,” he says before he slips a finger inside me, feeling around and pressing on me in a way that’s painful before I whimper.

“Most definitely. A prize indeed,” the doctor says, his smile audible in his tone. Ronan’s rough hands pull down my dress, helping me sit up before sliding off the bed.

“Thanks, Doc,” Ronan says briskly, as he begins walking us out.

“Oh, the pleasure is all mine!” he says before I hear a door shut.

“Fucking piece of shit,” Ronan grumbles under his breath, lowering it to a whisper as he speaks. “You okay?”

I nod, not speaking as we come to a stop.

“Okay. We’re here. We will wait until someone comes to get us. Are you ready?”

Shaking my head no, I do my best to hold down the nerves buzzing inside me. God, part of me wishes I could keep my blindfold on the whole time. It would be easier to disassociate at least.

Unfortunately for me, the sound of a door snicks open, before a voice I don’t recognize says, “They are ready for her.”