Page 187 of Unmasked

“I’ll never say it. You can kill me first.”

Another chuckle.” He withdrew his cock from me, pulling up his pajama pants. “I’ll never kill you. Not physically.” He placed the cane on the nightstand. “Your mind is another story.” Lawrence headed for the door, opening it. “Bring me some salt!”

My eyes widened, and I pulled at the cuffs in earnest.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting results. You don’t want to play by the rules, I’ll make you. How do you think that salt is going to feel when I rub it into your wounds?”

Trembling took over my bottom lip, and I hated it. “You won’t.”

“You’ll learn to listen.”

“Please! Help me!”

Footsteps approached, and I sobbed, lifting my head. I could see George’s hair and edge of his shoulder.

“We have to talk.”

“I said get me salt.”

“Sire… I keep knocking. You’re not listening. We’re in trouble.”

“You’re about to be. Get me salt.”

A sound left George. “The entire palace is burning. As we speak, I’m sure they’re announcing more of your residences on fire. Four is the count right now. You must⁠—”

“What?”

Lawrence disappeared, and I sobbed, taking in George as his lids narrowed hatefully at me. He turned, walking deeper into the room and out of view. Stickiness itched against my cheek, and I rubbed it against my shoulder and bicep. Pain flared, and the blood from my nose and face smeared to my skin. So many places were unbearably stinging. My back screamed through every breath. My wrists were so raw from the constant twisting and jerking, not to mention how badly I ached in my most private area. I knew I was bleeding there. It hadn’t really stopped from the first time. It wasn’t heavy, but it was continuous.

“Fuck!”

Lawrence’s roar in the distance made me jump.

Minutes passed as he cursed and talked to George.

I had to figure a way out of here.

I had to somehow break free.

My head lifted again, and a dark color blurred past my window. I jumped, my brow creasing as my heart nearly stopped. Seconds passed and the shape returned, easing its head just far enough to where I could see it. My lips parted, and I jerked at the cuffs.

“Wallace.” I mouthed the name, not able to stop the sob at seeing my Reeve’s second. “Help me. Please.”

“That son of a bitch!” Footsteps pounded back towards me, and I shook my head frantically to Wallace, watching as he disappeared. Lawrence’s eyes were blazed with fury as he pointed at me.

“That crazy bastard is burning my houses down! My palace is in flames.” He let out a roar. “Just wait until I get my hands on him. He’ll hang for this.”

He paused at my sobs, only seeming to just realize my changed demeanor.

“Why the hell are you crying? It’s not your places burning to the ground.”

“You hurt me.”

His face softened for the smallest moment as he walked around the bottom of the bed, coming around close to the window. “You had it coming. That mouth of yours is out of control. Vaughn is all I hear when you speak. He’s stealing you from me. I hate him⁠—”

“I hate you! You hurt me!” Harder I sobbed, knowing I needed to be as loud as possible to cause a distraction. “I’ve been raped. I’m bleeding, bruised, and all you care about is your stupid houses.”