I launch myself off the couch. Ty screams as I rake my nails down his face, but it’s seconds before he grips my neck, cutting off my airway.
“Tucker, grab her!”
Gable is on his feet fast. He punches the approaching Tucker and sends him flying, but more men close in, and I watch on helplessly as Gable is held back by two men.
Ty shoves me back on the couch, touching the long, red marks down his forehead. He wets his lips and backhands me across the face, pain stinging across my cheek and blood filling my mouth.
“Touch her again and I will fucking end you!” Gable roars, his muscles straining across his bare chest as he tries to free himself.
Ty reaches into his pocket and pulls out a flick knife. My blood runs cold and I press myself back into the couch.
He points the weapon at Gable. “You’re going to watch, Gable, as I find out what your little girlfriend knows about the drive.”
“We didn’t even have it! How the fuck would she knowanything?” Gable looks beyond rageful, still fighting his captors.
“No, but you had some hacker looking into it, didn’t you? You could know everything.” His dark eyes cut to me, and he grins. “I don’t like loose ends.”
“Do not fucking touch her!” Gable roars as Ty approaches me.
My body is trembling, my cheek stinging as I look up at Ty. He rests the blade of the knife on my jaw. “Cuff him.”
Gable’s shouts and threats feel so far away. There are yelps of pain from the other men as he fights some of them off, but not enough to prevent him being shackled to the radiator.
Ty keeps his attention on me, his expression one of delight, intrigue, excitement. He slides the cool flat of the blade across my jaw.
“I know this isn’t your world, Ella,” he says, almost gently. “You write about it, but you’re not one of us, are you?” I know what one of my characters would do right now. They’d be sassy, smart-mouthed, brave—but I’m not a character, and I’m not invincible. He crouches in front of me, resting a hand on my thigh. “I really don’t want to hurt you, Ella. I’ll kill you because it’s my job, but I’m not one to draw out death.” His smile is sweet. Kind. “Unless you don’t give me a choice.”
I say nothing, picturing Matilda in my head. My friend. My best friend. Dead for weeks and I didn’t even know it.
Ty tilts his head, his mop of blonde hair giving him a deceptive, almost angelic look. “Do you know what’s on the drive, Ella?” He looks at his hand on my leg and squeezes gently. I remain totally silent. He sighs, a deep, mournful sound.
And buries the knife in my thigh.
I thought I would scream. Cry. Beg.
But as the pain races up my legs and spreads through me, I’m rendered speechless. Motionless. Time seems to slow as I stare at the knife handle sticking out of my pajama pants, and I’m searching for the memory of when I bought them.
I think they were in a sale online. I liked the red tartan look. They were pretty, so I bought them. Comfy, so I wore them to death.
The color hides the blood that’s warming my skin, spilling over me and probably staining the couch.
“Look at this girl!” Ty says, clapping, his eyes alight. “Not a fucking sound! Daddy would be proud.” He pulls the knife out and plunges it in again.
A small gasp leaves me this time, but it’s lost in Gable’s roars of anger, and Motor’s frantic barks from upstairs.
Tears spring to my eyes, but there’s no emotion behind them. It’s like my body wants me to react, and because I’m not, it’s forcing my tear ducts into overdrive.
“God, you’re pretty when you cry,” Ty says, cupping my cheek, using a thumb to wipe away my tears. My chest jerks with sobs, but I hold back the sound, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. “Now, let’s try again. Do you know what’s on the hard drive, Ella?” I can’t move. Can’t shake my head. He pulls the knife out, and my vision swims. “Ella. Don’t pass out on me now, sweetheart.” He gently jostles my face. “Look at me. Do you know what’s on the hard drive?”
Somehow, I shake my head. The room spins, and I grip the couch to stay steady.
Ty sighs. “You’re lying to me.”
I pull in a sharp breath as he drags the blade down mycheek. My hands fly up to stop him, to claw at him, but the damage is already done.
Warm blood seeps down my face, my jaw, my throat.
“This is fucking impressive,” Ty says, laughing as he looks at the man to his right before returning his attention to me. “But now all you’ve done is make me determined to hear your screams.”
