Chapter One

                              Daphne 

Another gulp of the strong alcohol hit my throat. The burn of it forced a wince from me as I eyed my boyfriend of two years from my side of the bar. 

“You are going to get yourself drunk, Daph.” That's the point. I could hear the faint concern in his warning but I continued gulping the painful liquid. 

“Slow down.” He said calmly, his hand grazing my thigh softly. I involuntarily flinched. Not because I didn't like the feel of his hand on me, but because I know I've hurt him. 

I remembered the light in his eyes disappearing a few minutes ago after I told him of the arranged marriage. Yes, I was going to get married, and it was going to be in forty-eight hours. 

I sighed as the thought of being sold off to someone like Dante crossed my mind for the umpteenth time since I was told. 

A laugh lacking warmth escaped my lips, Dad had said the marriage was necessary if he was going to get his company back to its feet. Typical dad, thinking only of himself. 

I downed the glass of alcohol and stood up, the urge to visit the washroom filled me, and I excused myself from Kilan’s side and strode to the washroom. 

I was already slightly tipsy but not enough to extinguish the knot in my chest. I needed more alcohol. I washed my hands and dried them before stepping out into the bar. Kilan was still there. I smiled amidst my turmoil and walked up to him. He has been my only source of happiness ever since my mother's death. 

“I ordered another glass for you. Figured you might need it.” I peered at him. He just told me to slow down a minute ago, what was the sudden switch about? Perhaps he understood my need to escape this reality, even temporarily. I smiled at him. 

“Thanks.” I lifted the glass and took another gulp. The burn made my eyes water. 

“I'm sorry…it came to this,” I said, tracing my thumb on the rim of the glass cup. 

“I already told you, Daph…we’ll see through this together. You won’t even spend up to two months with that devil. You’re mine.” Kilan looked at me comfortingly and took my hands in his, stroking the back with both thumbs. 

“Can we not…talk about him tonight? Just drink with me.” my voice was tiny and tired as I urged Kilan to focus on the moment.

“I just need you to do something for me.” He said looking at me intently. I nodded, unsure what he wanted. 

“Let's do it.” He said. His eyes were sparkling with hope. Do it? Do what?. 

“Do what?” I asked lifting a brow at him, my gut telling me what he meant, but my brain dismissing it. 

“Let's go all the way. You and me. Let's seal this relationship.” As he spoke, his hand worked its way into my gown, pushing upwards. I flinched again; this time, I was unsure why. 

“Look, we've talked about this. I'm just not ready yet.” I said reaching for the alcohol and gulping down a few mouthfuls. Something dark flashed in his eyes but disappeared almost immediately. I didn't make much of it, I wasn't in the mood for something other than trying to waste myself with alcohol. 

He leaned away from me and focused on the empty glass cup before him. I felt bad. 

“When I kill the motherfucker, I'll let you hit.” I didn't know why I said it like that, but I wanted to restore the light in his eyes somehow. He nodded and smiled.

Whatever alcohol he ordered for me was strong, stronger than any I've taken before. In a few minutes my vision blurred and my limbs became difficult to control. I collapsed against the bar table, struggling to get myself up. 

“Let me get you out of here.” His voice came out in a breathy whisper as he lifted me bridal style and walked out of the bar. I forced my eyes to stay alert, but they were a disobedient pair. I heard the music fade as he walked. 

Suddenly, my feet touched the ground, and my back hit the wall, hard. I winced and tried to clear the fog in my eyes. 

“Kilan…what…kil…” My words were jumbled as I tried to force them out of my lips. The picture before me was Kilan; I could recognize him through the haze, but the warmth I knew in his eyes had disappeared, and only a smug grin remained. 

“Smart of you to think I'm so patient, Daphne.” his voice lacked any warmth I've known. The way he said my name sounded accusatory.

“Kilan…what's…what's…happeni...” I barely got the words out before the sound of ripping, filled my ears. I blinked several times to clear the blur in my eyes, it worked…significantly. 

I looked down at my weak body and saw that my gown had been ripped from my shoulders, my black brazier in full view. The gown slid from my body to the ground. I was left struggling in my underwear. 

“Oh, Daphne. I know why you've denied me what I always wanted.” He trailed his fingers on the flesh of my breast. 

“You don't like a white knight, do you? No! You love the villain. You love it rough and hard.” he said in a sultry tone. The reality of what was about to happen dawned on me and I struggled to escape his grip. 

“Easy there white chocolate. There's no one here. I'll make it memorable.” He said, biting my earlobe. I tried to scream but his mouth crashed against mine, forcing my teeth open with a bite to my lower lip. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth as his tongue violated my insides rather than soothing it. I wanted to fight. I wanted desperately to run away. But the alcohol in my system… alcohol. No! I had a good tolerance for alcohol. I barely had two glasses, and I'm this immobile, there's something more.

I ordered another glass for you. Figured you might need it. Did Kilan drug me?

He broke the kiss as he tried to get as much of my body in full view, as possible. 

Adrenalin ran through me as I forced to get off, but he was strong, way too strong. His hands cupped my brassiere and dragged it apart, until it tore in half. The harsh cold air made my nipples harden. 

“I see you, slut. I see you.” He held my neck with one hand as he undid his belt with his free hand. I struggled to catch my breath, beating his wrist and clawing at it as much as I could, but he seemed more eager to perform coitus, than allowing me the chance to breathe. 

He successfully rendered my clothes useless and went for my panties which were now public. With all the strength I could muster, I pushed him; it did nothing to stop him, but it angered him. His hand landed on my face, forcing it to tilt to the side. I cried out from the pain. 

“You whore. You think you can get away from me? Marry someone else and leave me? Impossible! You are mine.” 

“Please…Kilan…please…” I could only plead at this point, but all my pleas fell on deaf ears. He kept trying to pull down my panties. 

Suddenly his weight on me lightened. The cold air kissed my naked skin, my teeth clattered from the chill. I hugged myself and pulled up what remained of my cloth to cover vital flesh. 

It took a few seconds for me to snap back to the present. I hadn't heard it seconds ago, the sound of fist on flesh, when I did, I sprang up. 

Crouched over a body, I presumed to be Kilan's, was a broad figure in black sweatpants and a long sleeve hoodie. His arm went up and down and I could only guess what was happening. “ No…stop…stop…stop…” i forced my feet to move through the effect of the drug. Kilan's face was bloodied but the stranger didn't stop. I had to do something, else kilan would die. I held onto the man's arm and to my surprise, his movement halted. His breathing was ragged and he still looked down at the unconscious Kilan. But he stopped.