Kade turns toward the bench, already reaching for them. “Oh yeah,” he smirks over his shoulder. “You’re gonna love this.”
I pull the chair back into place and sit again, straddling it, settling in like I’ve got all the time in the world.
“Try not to pass out,” I tell Bradley calmly.
His breathing goes ragged, terror finally drowning out his anger as the room closes in around him. Guy is shitting a brick, and we’re just getting started. The pack hits the ground with a dull clatter, and Kade hands me the leads. Bradley’s head jerks toward the sound like his body knows before his brain catches up. His breathing turns shallow, sharp little gasps that scrape out of him like broken glass.
“What are th-those for?” He squirms, voice thin, hopeful in a way that makes my stomach curl.
Kade snorts. “Buddy, you don’t get to ask questions.”
“Here’s the thing, Brad,” I state calmly, turning back toward him. “You’ve spent your whole life thinking pain is something you can outsource. Something other people absorb so you don’t have to.” I stop directly in front of him. “Tonight, that bill comes due.”
He shakes his head, chains rattling. “You don’t have to do this!”
“Oh, but he really does.” Kade grins wider, eyesbright, practically vibrating with it. He loves this part—the moment right before the drop, when the fear finally outweighs the ego. “Round these parts, people always get what they deserve.”
I clip the first clamp in place, right between his dangling legs. “Let’s see you get a hard-on now, you pathetic piece of shit.”
Bradley’s screams bounce off the wall, filling me with satisfaction. “Please,” he blurts. “Rhett, please?—”
I straighten and meet his eyes. “You don’t get to fuckin’ beg… not when she did, and you ignored her.” Tipping my chin, I give Kade the go-ahead. “Turn the dial.”
“With fuckin’ pleasure.”
The sound Bradley makes isn’t human. It rips out of him raw and uncontrolled, a full-body scream that echoes off the walls and rattles the hanging rails. His back arches violently, chains snapping taut as electricity tears through him. His head jerks back, throat straining as his voice shreds itself against the pain.
Kade watches like he’s front row at a show. “Holy shit,” he mutters. “That’s one helluva reaction.”
I count silently, dragging it out just like my grandma taught me.One… Mississippi. Two… Mississippi. Three… Mississippi.“Kill the current.”
Kade follows my command, but I can tell by the scrunch of his nose that he’s not happy about it.
With a jolt, Bradley sags, body shaking uncontrollably, breath coming in wet sobs. His head lolls forward, and his chin hits his chest. I crouch in front of him, close enough that he can’t pretend I’m not real. “Listen carefully,” I threaten, my voice steady yet conversational. “This part isn’t punishment. Punishment implies an end.” I tilt my head. “This is education.” His eyes flutter open, unfocused, terrified. “You’re going to learn what it feels like when someone else controls every inch of your body. Every breath. Every nerve.” I stand and step back. “Just like you did. Tomy. Future. Wife.”
Kade comes closer, smiling right in Bradley’s face. “Strap in, little buddy. It’s gonna be a long fucking night.”
Never a truer word spoken.
A few hours later, the door slams open, and Cole and Jace rush into the room, laptop in hand, drawing my attention away from the bruised and exhausted rich prick I’ve nearly beaten to a pulp.
“Rhett. We found something.” Cole puffs like he ran the whole way here.
Jace’s face tightens, bracing for my reaction. “Fair warnin’, brother. It ain’t anything you’re gonna want to see.”
NOAH
38
Sageand I have been camped out in front of the television all morning. The sound of Grandma Jo puttering around the kitchen has brought a sense of normalcy that I very much need and appreciate. She’s getting a meal sorted for everyone, though I don’t know if I can stomach eating anytime soon. My skin crawls at the idea that Bradley is so close by.I just want this to all be over.
I swallow as my stomach churns, tilt my head against Sage’s shoulder, and let out a sigh, the burden of everything that’s happened weighing heavily on my mind. “I don’t have a clue why we’ve bothered to put the TV on. I can’t concentrate on anything,” I mutter.
Patting my leg, Sage practically reaches into my head, plucks out my thoughts, and responds to what she knowsI’m worrying over. “They’re doing what they feel is necessary, Noah. Try not to think about it.”
“I know. I’m trying.” Rhett has shielded me from everything since they got home yesterday. He hasn’t told me what’s going on out there in the slaughterhouse, and I haven’t asked. My imagination is a scary enough place right now.
The side door opens, and I lean forward on the couch, catching a glimpse of Rhett, Jace, and Cole as they enter the kitchen. “Where’s Noah?” There’s an edge to Rhett’s voice that has my nerves dancing under my skin.
