This time it's a punch to my ribs, hard enough that I hear something crack.I can't suppress the cry of pain, can't stop the tears that spring to my eyes as agony radiates through my chest.
"Stop!"Hades roars, straining against his chains so hard I can hear metal groaning."Leave her alone!I'm the one you want!Take it out on me!"
"But that wouldn't teach you anything, would it?"Ethan crouches in front of me, studying my face like I'm an interesting specimen."You need to understand that your choices have consequences.Every time you refuse to cooperate, she pays the price."
"I'll tell you whatever you want!"Hades shouts, desperation bleeding into his voice."Just don't touch her.Please!"
"Now we're getting somewhere."Ethan stands, pulling out a knife and testing the edge with his thumb.A thin line of blood appears, and he licks it away with a smile."But I think we need to make sure you truly understand the stakes here.Show him what happens when people don't cooperate."
The Hawk behind me grabs my arm, holding it steady against the chair.I try to pull away, but the ropes and his grip make it impossible.
"Don't you fucking dare," Hades snarls, fighting his restraints with renewed fury."I swear to God, Morrison, if you cut her?—"
"You'll what?You're chained to a chair, bleeding, outnumbered three to one.You have absolutely no power here."Ethan brings the knife closer to my forearm, letting me see the dried blood on the blade from whatever he used it for last."But she does.She has the power to make you do whatever I want."
The knife touches my skin, cold and sharp.I try to brace myself, try to be strong, but I can't stop the whimper that escapes when he drags it slowly across my forearm.Not deep enough to hit anything vital, but deep enough to hurt like hell and leave a permanent scar.
Blood wells up immediately, running down my arm in rivulets that drip onto the concrete floor.
"Stop it!"Hades is beyond reason now, fighting his restraints so hard the chair rocks and scrapes across the floor.Blood runs from his wrists where the metal cuts into his skin."I'll kill you!I'll fucking kill all of you!"
"Empty threats from a powerless man."Ethan wipes the bloody knife on his expensive pants, leaving a dark stain."But I appreciate the passion.It shows me I'm on the right track."
"You're insane," I gasp out, trying to focus through the pain.
"I'm practical.There's a difference."He gestures to the Hawks."Again.Different location this time.Let's see how many cuts it takes before he breaks."
I can see Hades warring with himself.The need to protect me against the knowledge that giving up club secrets will get us both killed anyway.
"Tell him nothing," I say through gritted teeth."Hades, I can take it."
"You shouldn't have to."
"But I can.And I will.For you, for the kids, for everyone who's counting on us to be strong."
Something shifts in his expression.Pride mixed with anguish."Angel..."
"He's always been the protector," Ethan muses."But what happens when he can't protect you anymore?When he has to watch you bleed because of his stubbornness?"
"He doesn't get you killed," I say, finding strength I didn't know I had."He doesn't lie and manipulate and murder innocent people."
"Your sister-in-law wasn't innocent.She was in my way."
"She was a good woman and my brother was a good man.Better than you'll ever be."
Ethan's face darkens with rage, and I know I've pushed him too far.But I don't care.Let him be angry.Let him show Hades exactly what kind of monster I almost married.
"You want to play tough?"Ethan asks quietly."Fine.Let's see how tough you really are."
He nods to the Hawks, and they advance on me with weapons I can't see clearly in the dim light.But I can imagine.I can feel the fear trying to claw its way up my throat.
"Evangeline, look at me," Hades commands."Only me.Fuck them.Fuck what they do.Just look at me and remember that I love you."
I do.I let his face be my lighthouse in the storm.
The first blow makes my vision gray.The second steals my breath.But through it all, I keep my eyes on Hades, keep my chin up, keep breathing.
"You're poison," Ethan hisses in my ear between blows."He's going to get you killed."
