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The second round tore through me faster.

I hadn’t cleared the first panic. My lungs were still half empty, and every instinct screamed that I was dying. Water pushed into my nose. My throat tightened against the urge to inhale.

Above me, her voice came through as a distorted taunt.

My vision sparked behind my closed eyelids.

I bucked hard enough to send pain through my shoulders. The metal cuffs bit deeper as I tried to tear my hands free.

I couldn’t think.

Couldn’t count.

Couldn’t do anything except fight the animal instinct telling me to breathe, even if breathing killed me.

They pulled me out just as darkness closed over the edges of my vision.

Air tore into my lungs.

I coughed and choked as water streamed from my hair and face. Pedro released me, and the chair slammed upright.

The bucket remained between my knees.

Isabella stepped closer while I fought for another breath.

“Impressive,” she said. “You held out much longer than most.”

I turned my head and coughed into my shoulder.

“You must enjoy breath play. I’m going to have such fun testing how long you can pretend you aren’t afraid.”

I raised my head. Water dripped from my lashes, but I kept my gaze fixed past her.

The crop slid up the center of my throat and pressed beneath my chin.

“Look at me.”

I smiled instead and snapped my head hard back and forth.

Water flew from my hair and splattered across her face and spotless uniform.

Diego barked out a laugh before cutting it short.

The crop cracked against my outer thigh.

The strike landed on the same battered muscle, and pain ripped through my thigh.

“Thought you could use a rinse. Must be hard washing Ciro and half the men in the compound off you.”

She sucked in a furious breath.

“You think you’re cute now. We’ll see how amusing you are when I make you cry.”

She flicked two fingers toward the bucket. “Move it.”

Mateo lifted it from the crate and set it beside the chair, close enough to remain a threat. He shoved the empty crate out of the way with his boot.

She stepped between my knees and climbed onto my lap.