“Really?” Cole snickers. “Because I have a lot to say and a whole lot of questions.”
“You might as well do yourself a favor and execute me.”
“Oh, I will. But not until you tell me what I need to know.”
“Then you’re going to end up keeping me down here forever.”
Cole buries his head in his hands. “I didn’t want this.”
“Could you please have your existential crisis elsewhere?”
“I’ll use that girl if I have to,” Cole says, his voice dark.
My brow pinches together in confusion.
“Is Fiona the one you called in all those months back?”
I return to saying nothing because the last thing I need is to get riled and lose my cool. Not that I ever do, but with Fiona injured, I’m in uncharted territory.
“I get that you’ve come to terms with your own death, but are you prepared to deal with what I’m going to do to that girl you brought in?”
My mouth betrays me, and I say, “You wouldn’t.”
“You think I wouldn’t? Maybe a month ago, that’d be true. But, you see, I’m getting awfully desperate, and I’m tired of the shit that’s going on topside. If one fucking girl can solve a large chunk of my problems, don’t think for a second that I won’t gut her like a fish.”
“I’m not stupid enough to think you’d go through with that, but know that if you do, I will fucking kill you.”
“You might be right, but that doesn’t make her safe. I have too many frustrated men. Fiona could solve a lot of problems for me…on her knees. How many do you think she can take?”
The thought of Fiona going through what she had when she was on Salem Street sets my blood on fire.
“Watch what you fucking say,” I warn, clenching my fists so tight my knuckles turn white.
“I knew you were a Keeper.”
“With all due respect, you don’t fucking know me. Not one bit.”
“I’d like to change that.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“Fine. Suit yourself.”
He leaves without another glance over his shoulder, and I’m left to wonder what the hell is going to happen next.
And if I’ll get to tell Fiona goodbye.
Chapter 16
FIONA
My eyes flutter open as though controlled by someone else.
Where am I?
Bright lights shine seemingly everywhere. Or maybe it’s not the lights. The walls are so white; they look luminescent.
“Good, you’re awake,” a voice says.
