Page 44 of Under Their Watch
“Why are you afraid?” I ask. “I mean… I’m know I’m chunky but, I’m not scary.”
“Rhea,” Max frowns. “Please don’t say that.”
“Why? What are you going to do about it?” I ask.
“You sure about this?” Theo asks with a smirk.
“Very. It’s not like they’ll do anything anyway,” I say.
“You tell ‘em, Rhea,” Anika says with a grin. She comes over and hugs me tightly.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” I ask softly so that no one else can hear.
“Very much okay,” she replies quietly. “Push as hard as you want.”
Anika pulls away and winks before moving back to stand with Mia. I look at Max and Rowan to find they are glaring at me. “What?” I ask.
“Just looking at you,” Max says simply.
“There’s plenty to look at,” I reply with a shrug. Max and Roman sigh before looking at Theo, wanting him to react.
“Don’t look at me,” Theo says. “If you want her punished, you do it. I’m not the one she said it to.”
“They don’t want to even fuck me. What makes you think they care enough about me degrading myself that they would punish me?” I ask
“Goddamn it, Rhea,” Rowan sighs.
“See?” I laugh.
“Rhea, come here,” Max says.
“No,” I say.
“No? Little girl…”
“Do you fuck as well as you run your mouth, Max?” I ask.
“Oh fuck,” Anika laughs when he takes his phone and keys from his pocket and drops them onto the coffee table.
“Rhea,” Max says slowly creeping toward me.
“I’ll take that as a no,” I say. “Guess it makes sense now.”
“What’s that?” Rowan asks.
“Why Anika brought Theo into your dynamic,” I say. “Someone had to get the job done. It’s not looking like you two are. At least you’re sweet. Gotta have something going for you.”
“Dude, she’s ruthless,” Mia laughs. “I love this.”
“Rhea, I’m trying to be nice to you because you have been through a lot today,” Max says. “But you’re pissing me off.”
“Mhmm. I’m so scared. Is this going to be more of you glaring at me and wishing you had the balls to do something about it?” I ask.
Max takes a large step closer to block me as Rowan moves to close off another escape route. I back up until I run into the couch. “What’s wrong, Rhea? Why are you backing up?”
“To make you feel special, Max. Do you feel like a big boy now? Do you think I’m worried now?” I ask with mocking tone. Max grits his teeth and takes a long deep breath. “Aww. Practice breathing. Do you feel better? You look tense.”
Max grabs me by the throat and is about to throw me on the couch when I get an idea. It’s cruel. I will definitely deserve to get fucked up after this. “Wait! Daddy, stop!” I yell. Max goes wide-eyed as he steps back, and I bust out laughing.