"You're wrong about your father not loving you."Cole's voice is rough but steady.
David's laugh sends chills down my spine.He spins to face me, arms spread wide."What did I tell you, doll face?Everything from his mouth is a lie!"
"Stop calling her doll face, you asshole."
The punch comes so fast I barely see it.Cole's head snaps sideways, fresh blood spraying from his split lip.My scream echoes off the concrete walls.
"Did I permit you to speak?"David's voice drops to a dangerous whisper.
"Fuck you."
Two more brutal hits.Blood trickles from Cole's nose as my screams tear from deep in my chest."Shut up and listen to him, you goddamn fool!"
David's chuckle makes my skin crawl."Did you hear that?My precious doll face finally acknowledges that you're a fool."His smirk grows wider."Guess she sees I'm much better for her than you'll ever be."
God, he's completely delusional.But if he believes I'm taking his side, I need to play into it.
Cole's eye meets mine, blazing with defiance.I silently plead with him.Please, stop fighting.Let me handle this.But I can see from his expression that he won't back down.To prevent more violence and cement David's trust, I force the words out:
"You're right, David.Shut that fool's mouth."
David's eyes sparkle with triumph.He pulls a white cloth from his pocket, turning to Cole with a victorious smile."Guess she's on my team now, Walker."
Cole tries to speak, but David silences him, roughly shoving the fabric between his teeth and securing it behind his head.My heart shatters at the sight, but I can't let my mask slip.
"David?"I make my voice small, submissive."I'm hungry.Could I please get something to eat or drink?"
Just as before, the pleading tone gets his immediate attention.His face softens with what he probably thinks is tenderness.
"Yes, you can, my precious."He leaves Cole's cell, locking it with the remote before tucking it back in his pocket."I'll be right back with a meal."
The moment the door closes behind him, I whirl to Cole."What the hell were you thinking?You can't provoke a psychopath while you're tied up!Do you have a death wish?"
Cole's grunt of frustration is muffled by the gag.
"I can't believe he's Jeremy's son."The pieces are still falling into place in my mind, each revelation more horrifying than the last.
Cole's shoulders slump, his eye closing in what looks like guilt."Hey, don't blame yourself.This situation isn't your fault!"
He shrugs, but when I mention Samantha's name, his eye snaps back to mine, filled with desperate worry.
"I need to get that bastard to trust me," I explain, pressing closer to the glass."It's the only way out of this room.I have to make him believe I'm his."
Cole shakes his head violently, straining against his bonds until the ropes bite into his wrists.
"I understand you don't like it, but I have to."I meet his gaze steadily."It's our only chance.You trained me, remember?Taught me how to defend myself for exactly this kind of situation.This is showtime."
The door opens, cutting off Cole's protests.David enters carrying two trays, his face darkening as he sees us communicating.
"New rule.You're not allowed to talk to him."His eyes narrow as he sets the trays on the table."I have a tagliatelle dish with salmon for you."
"That's kind of you, David."The words taste like ash in my mouth.
"Everything for my precious, fiery gem."He approaches the glass, his gaze raking over me possessively."I have a choice for you.I can either place the plate in your room, where you can eat it, or you can join me at the dining table."
Every fiber of my being screams in protest, but I bite the inside of my cheek hard.Being near him without the glass between us terrifies me, but it's necessary.
"I'd like to join you, please."
