Wicked Demands

WICKED DEMANDS A Dark College Romance MARLEE WRAY Copyright © 2022 by Marlee Wray All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Chapter 53 Chapter 54 Epilogue Twisted Demands Afterword Books Cast | DK Companion About the Author 1 CAMRYNN Every time the words “purity exam” cross my mind, my stomach knots. And now the driver who was sent to deliver me to the wretched exam tells me I need to be blindfolded for the ride. “Blindfolded? Really?” I ask as my heart kicks into a galloping rhythm. My soft words are a stall tactic. I’m trapped between wanting to bolt from the car and trying to talk myself out of an impending panic attack so I can stay the course. “Yeah, blindfolded,” the driver says, his craggy face in shadow as he stands next to the black sedan’s open passenger door. "You’re going to lie on the back seat wearing a blindfold until we arrive.” Jesus. Am I really doing this? A creepy late night gyn exam, in preparation for a night that will change me forever? I can’t believe my family got us into a position where this is my only option. As I grip the sides of the black leather seat, the surrounding darkness closes in. “No one warned me about this.” The driver clears his throat and shifts his bulky body. When he speaks, his tone is laced with skepticism. “No one said precautions would be taken to maintain privacy and security?” I tilt my head before slowly shaking it. “All Mr. Stowe said was that discretion is critical.” Saying Brock Stowe’s name sends a chill through me. The man’s a ruthless snake who’s facilitating his nephew’s revenge upon my family. His nephew. I’d like to stab Declan Heyworth in his filthy heart. There’s never been better proof that you can’t judge a book by its cover, because Declan’s exterior is gorgeous. He’s tall and athletic with jet black hair and eyes as blue as sapphires. Beneath the stunning good looks and aloof charm however, lurks something wicked. I suspected his taste for twisted sex, but not his capacity for unconscionable vengeance. It’s the twenty-first century, for God’s sake. The taking of a virgin daughter as revenge went out with the dark ages, didn’t it? “The blindfold is nonnegotiable,” the driver says. “You either go along with it, or you get dropped back off at home.” I wish. It infuriates me that Declan involved these other people. His sending his uncle added insult to injury. Having a middle-aged man instruct me to have myself waxed… Jesus. I’ve had bikini waxes for summer, but going completely bare on command has me feeling vulnerable. And humiliated. And as Brock issued the mandates about grooming, birth control pills and the purity exam, he leered at me like I was a slice of glazed ham. I wanted to tell him to fuck off. I probably should have. At least then Declan would’ve been forced to talk to me directly. Something he hasn’t done since the night we met. “Well?” The driver is growing impatient. My heart pounds as if I’ve been sprinting. I’d like to back out, but if I do, my family will be destroyed. Licking my lips, I finally nod at the driver. He steps back, affording me a view of the dark residential street that’s a few blocks from the Granthorpe University campus. When I got my acceptance and scholarship to GU, it was a dream come true. I didn’t realize my new life was being funded by extorted money. The driver stares at me, waiting for me to step out of the car. Declan and his goddamned minions. Although maybe Declan involved more people when my family became a problem. The difference, though, is that I didn’t involve my family. They involved themselves and never told me. My mom’s actions are definitely unacceptable, but her intentions weren’t horrible. I can’t let her lose the house, and more, when it’s in my power to prevent it. Brock Stowe made it clear I’m our only way out. This will be over soon, Cami. Stay the course. All I have to get through is one clinic visit and then one night. Roughly ten hours of my life. Emerging from the front passenger seat, I say, “Sure, fine.” I’m doing my best to appear calm. Ironically, when I think of remaining cool under pressure, the person who comes to mind is Declan. He’s the heir to the legendary Heyworth fortune and our school’s star quarterback. When he’s on the field, he’s grace under pressure. And afterward, when he’s interviewed, he faces the news cameras like he’s had a lifetime of media training, which he probably has. Because even with dark hair that’s damp with sweat and tousled from being trapped under a helmet, he fixes his stunning eyes on the camera and speaks directly to anyone watching. The driver clears his throat to reclaim my attention. “Sit with your body facing the driver’s side.” I obey and, within seconds, a black sleep mask is placed over my eyes. “I’ll help you lie down.” The driver positions me on my