“Seven. Six.”
I shake my head, frantic. “No. I’m not leaving you and Felix.”
“Five.”
“You have to.”
“I’d rather die.”
“Four.”
“Harper, you need to run.”
“Three.”
My mind spirals with dread as Ferguson’s countdown draws dangerously close to zero. I can’t run. Tyler will be shot the second I make a move. But what am I supposed to do—tie Tyler up and watch Ferguson killhim and Felix? My pulse is pounding so hard it makes my vision blur.
“Two.”
“Don’t shoot!” I shout, bursting with fear, desperate for more time. Every inch of me is shaking and burning. Tears are leaking down my cheeks. “I’ll do as you say. I’ll tie him up.”
Ferguson laughs. “Good decision.”
Tyler swears beneath his breath but complies, sitting on a chair next to Felix. My hands tremble as I reach for rope on a nearby table.
“Hurry up,” Ferguson snaps, waving the gun impatiently.
I crouch behind Tyler, gathering his wrists and whimpering. “I’m sorry.”
“I know, baby. It’s okay.”
Right as he says the words, Felix stirs, regaining consciousness. “Shit,” he whispers, watching me bind Tyler’s wrists.
Tyler’s palms clench into fists, creating slack in the rope.
“Tighter,” Ferguson barks. “I’m not an idiot. Tie his legs too.”
Tears blur my vision as I pull the rope tighter, then work on Tyler’s legs, securing them to the chair.
When I’m finished, Ferguson grabs my arm, dragging me to a table in front of Felix and Tyler. “I thought you were supposed to be feisty but you’re a crying mess.” He slides the barrel of the gun along my wet face. “You’re so boring and pathetic. I know how we can have some fun.”
“Let her go,” Tyler shouts, straining against the rope. “Felix killed your brother. I helped him get away with it. Harper had nothing to do with it.”
Ferguson laughs, pinning me face down on the tabletop, digging the gun into my back. “Which makes this all the more fun. You two have a front row seat to watching me destroy someone you love.”
I’m powerless. There’s no fighting this man off, not when the first sign of struggle would land me with a bullet in my spine. I glance between my two men. Tyler, furious, fighting to free himself. Felix, the opposite, completely still, watching the tears roll down my cheeks.
“Don’t be frightened, my Little Sinner.” Felix’s eye contact is firm and intentional, like he’s attempting to send a message. His words are controlled. Whatever he’s trying to say, I don’t understand. I can’t think straight.
Behind me, I hear Ferguson unbuckling his belt. I’m hyperventilating, realizing what’s about to happen to me. I think I knew from the moment Ferguson said he’d have fun with me, but I didn’t want to believe this could happen again.
I close my eyes, trying to dissociate.
Tyler is shouting. I’ve never heard him so desperate in my life. “I swear to god, I will do anything you want, just don’t touch her.”
“Your whining is irritating me, Tyler. I have a solution for that.” Ferguson shoves the gun harder into my back, redirecting his words to me. “Take your panties off and shove them in his mouth to shut him up.”
I gasp as he pulls me upright from the table.
