5. The Predator’s Grip

The morning sun was just starting to peek through the thick village trees, casting orange streaks across Lona’s bedroom window.

But Lona’s mood was running much hotter than the morning air. She’d been standing in front of the mirror for nearly thirty minutes, making sure her look for the day was nothing short of lethal.

Lona had gone to town on her school uniform. She’d hemmed her grey skirt until it sat a good five inches above her knees, leaving her toned thighs completely exposed with every step. Her white shirt was a size too small, the buttons straining against the weight of her firm, heaving chest.

"Lona! Get down here! Daddy’s waiting in the car!" Bella shouted from downstairs.

Lona flashed a wicked smirk. She spritzed a sweet, provocative vanilla perfume over her neck and down her cleavage before grabbing her bag. When she got downstairs, she saw Revan standing by the door, adjusting his luxury watch. He was wearing a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing off those rock-solid forearms.

"I can’t take you, honey. I’ve got to head to the village head’s house to prep for the prayer meeting," Bella said, kissing Lona’s cheek. "Daddy’s going to drop you off at school today."

"Oh, really? Lucky me. I get a gorgeous personal chauffeur," Lona quipped, throwing Revan a naughty glance.

Revan didn't say a word. He just gave Bella a tiny nod, pressed a quick kiss to his wife's forehead, and walked toward his black SUV without even glancing back at Lona.

______

Inside the car, the silence was deafening. There was only the low hum of the engine and the blast of the cold AC. Revan was locked in on the road, his large hands gripping the steering wheel with effortless authority. Lona sat in the passenger seat, sliding her chair back just enough to cross her legs comfortably.

"Daddy... the AC is so cold," Lona whined in a practiced, bratty pout.

Revan kept his eyes glued to the road. "Turn it down then."

"I can’t reach, my hands are literally frozen," Lona lied. She started her move. She tugged her short skirt even higher, exposing the smooth, pale skin of her upper thighs.

Lona reached out—not for the AC dial, but for Revan’s thigh. Her fingers began a slow, teasing dance over the fabric of his trousers.

"Your hands look so warm, Daddy... can I borrow one for a second to warm mine up?"

Revan stayed silent. His face was like stone, his sharp eyes focused on the village roads as they started to get busy.

"Why are you so quiet? Still mad about last night?" Lona whispered. She felt bold. Her hand began to crawl higher, inching toward his groin. She could feel his thigh muscle, hard as a rock beneath her palm.

"Didn't you say you were good at disciplining things that were out of place? I’m feeling a little... messy, Daddy. I think I need you to fix me."

Lona let out a soft giggle, feeling like she had the upper hand. She was sure Revan was about to snap, just like all the stepfathers before him. She kept stroking his leg, occasionally giving him a little pinch.

Suddenly, without warning, Revan slammed on the brakes on a deserted stretch of road, throwing Lona’s body forward. Before she could even process what was happening, Revan’s hand moved like a lightning strike.

Brak!

Revan lunged and grabbed Lona’s thigh with one hand. It wasn't a gentle touch—it was a violent, crushing squeeze. His fingers sank deep into her soft, firm flesh.

"Ow! Daddy, that hurts!" Lona yelped, her eyes widening in shock.

Revan twisted his body toward her, his hawk-eyes blazing with a dark, terrifying intensity. His face was only inches from hers. The aura of danger coming off him was so heavy Lona felt like the oxygen had been sucked out of the car.

"You want my attention, Lona?" Revan’s voice was a low, vibrating growl, thick with restrained emotion. "Is this how you want it?"

He tightened his grip even more. His nails felt like they were digging straight into the bone. Lona felt a surge of searing heat and sharp pain radiating through her leg. She tried to pull his hand away, but his strength was miles beyond hers.

"Daddy... let go, it really hurts..." she whimpered, her eyes welling up from the stinging pain.

"You’re the one who asked for it, aren't you?" Revan hissed. His gaze dropped to her heaving chest before snapping back to her eyes.

"Don’t ever play with fire if you aren't ready to get burned. You think I’m like those idiots your mother married before? I could break you in a heartbeat without even blinking."

He held that crushing grip for several long, agonizing seconds. It felt like he was channeling every bit of frustration and lust he’d been holding back since last night directly into her skin. Once he saw the genuine fear in her eyes, he shoved her leg away roughly.

"Sit up straight. And fix that damn skirt," he ordered coldly as he put the car back in gear.

Lona was speechless. Her whole body was shaking. She scrambled to pull her skirt down, covering her thigh which was now throbbing with pain. She didn't dare make another sound or even think about moving. For the first time in her life, Lona felt truly threatened by a man.

_______

The rest of the drive was silent. Lona just stared down at her trembling fingers, her heart doing a frantic, irregular thump-thump in her chest.

The fear was real, but strangely, there was a spark of something else buried underneath it. Revan’s cruelty was only making her more obsessed.

When they reached the school gates, Revan pulled up right in front of the security post.

"Get out," he said, not even looking at her.

Lona grabbed her bag, her hands still shaking as she popped the door open. She stepped out with a slight limp, the pain in her leg still sharp. Once she was on the sidewalk, she stole one last look through the dark tinted windows.

"Thanks... Daddy," she whispered under her breath.

Revan didn't answer. He just floored the gas and tore away from the school, the engine roaring behind him.

Lona walked into the school grounds with her head spinning. Friends waved, but she just gave them a distracted nod. She got to her desk and slumped into her seat. When she lifted her skirt just an inch to check, she gasped.

Printed clearly on her pale skin was a bright red mark—the ghost of Revan’s five fingers from where he’d crushed her earlier. The skin felt hot to the touch and was already starting to bruise.

"It hurts so much..." she murmured, tracing the mark with a trembling finger.

But instead of hating him, a thin smirk spread across her lips. She remembered that look in his eyes. A look that proved he wasn't the prey—he was the hunter. And Lona realized she had just stepped right into the trap she’d built for him.

"Lona! Hey, you okay?" Noah suddenly appeared, sitting on the edge of her desk. "How was last night? What’s the new Daddy like?"

Lona jumped, quickly smoothing her skirt to hide the bruise. "Huh? Oh... yeah. He’s alright. Hot, I guess."

Noah narrowed his eyes, noticing how pale she was despite the strange glint in her eyes. "What’s up with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. And what’s that on your leg? Why is it all red?"

Lona pivoted instantly. "Nothing, I just caught it on the car door when I was getting out. Why are you so nosy anyway?"

"Serious? That looks nasty," Noah said, reaching for her hand.

"Drop it, Noah! You’re annoying!" Lona snapped, startling him. "I’m not in the mood. Go back to your own class."

After Noah left looking totally confused, Lona drifted back into her thoughts. Her mind raced back to that moment in the car. She imagined what would have happened if Revan hadn't stopped at her thigh. She pictured those large hands exploring the rest of her with that same ruthless edge.

Lona leaned back and closed her eyes. The pain in her leg was slowly turning into a twisted kind of pleasure. She realized one thing Revan was the first man who didn't worship her like a goddess. He treated her like a toy that needed to be put in its place. And for Lona, that was the most intoxicating challenge she’d ever faced.

"You think you’ve won, Daddy Revan?" she whispered to herself. "Just wait until I get home. I’m going to make you squeeze a lot more than just my leg."