Trying to calm down, I did my best to silently share a message.Do what he asks.
She flinched.Never.
Please.
Don’t ask me to do that.
Her emotions waked around the space, tainting the walls and air. I couldn’t turn my condition off, and I wouldn’t survive feeling Nila’s agony.
My muscles bunched as I struggled harder. I choked on saliva, sucking on the disgusting gag.
Cut placed himself in front of Nila with his back facing me.
I couldn't see.
I can’t see.
I strained to the side, seeking a better vantage, but I couldn’t see around Cut’s large frame.
“Now, you’ve heard the history, so let’s focus on the present.” Cut’s voice echoed in the cave. “But first, you owe me from the dice throw in Hawksridge. I won’t tell you what you’ll avoid if you obey, but I will tell you if you don’t, worse pain than you’ve endured so far will be delivered.”
His hand landed on her cheek, brushing aside glossy black hair. Ihatedhis hands on her. IhatedI couldn’t see Nila’s reaction or read her face. I hated, hated, hatedhe’d already stolen so much from her—her long hair, her happiness...her smile.
She looked nothing like the young seamstress from the runway show nor any hint of the sexy, shy nun in her first text messages.
Together, my father and I had stripped her of everything she’d been and created this new creature. A creature being led to the slaughter.
No!
I growled.
Cut looked over his shoulder, rolling his eyes. “A growl? That’s all you have to say?” His gaze landed on the duct tape over my mouth. “Like I said, Jet. Save your energy. All you need to do is watch.”
I’ll fucking watch.
I’ll watch wolves tear apart your carcass.
I’ll watch demons suck your soul into hell.
My breathing crescendoed until my ribs creaked and my head swam.
Nila trembled in place. Her emotions stuttered, fading a little as she locked down internally. I’d felt it happen to many people. When stress overloaded the system, a human’s natural response was to go quiet. To focus. To numb. To delete every distraction.
I’m here with you, Nila.
I’m with you every step.
Nila’s voice was a blade as she replied, “If I refuse, will you hurt Jethro?”
“No, my son isn’t going to participate in this next part.”
She sniffed. “In that case, you can’t inflict worse pain than I’ve alreadyendured. The day you shot him and I believed he was dead is the worst you can ever do.” Her tone strengthened until it shone with steel. “So do your worst, Cut Hawk, because I can survive you.”
Cut didn’t reply, but his hand lashed out to wrap around her waist. “We’ll see about that.” Jerking her elbow, he spun her around to face away from him. “If that’s how you want to play this.” Letting her go, he pulled out a switchblade from his back pocket.
My heart splattered into my toes.
Stop!
