“I’ve learned from the best.”
Yes, I do mean him.
He drags a critical glower over me, flicking my low ponytail, his expression one of disdain. “When I get back from Miami, you and I are going to reevaluate our relationship.”
His cryptic tone chills me to the bone. “It’s a bit too late for that, don’t you think?”
“No, Mrs. Crane, it’s not. I give you Atticus, and you’ll give me something in exchange. Those are the rules, remember?”
“ButI’mthe ruthless bitch in this relationship,” I say before I can stop myself.
The slap snaps my head to the side and splits my bottom lip. The coppery taste of blood explodes in my mouth. Instinct kicks in, and I lunge for him, swinging for his face. He deflects the strike and snags me around the waist, twisting me, so I’m facing outward.
“Let go of me.”
“Calm down.” David laughs as I fight him with everything I’ve got until I’m heaving in his arms and battling nothing but air. “Are you done?”
Never.
I won’t stop until Wraith and I eradicate this monster. “Let me go.”
“If you continue to act like an animal, I’ll have you caged like an animal. Do I make myself clear?”
“Crystal,” I grind out between clenched teeth.
“Good.” He opens his arms just enough so I can wipe the blood from the corner of my mouth. Before I can move away, he spins me back around and grabs my jaw. The crush of his lips is punishing, and when he leans back, his expression is pure aggression. “The slap was to seal the agreement in blood. I want us to be happy together, and I need to know you’ll try to make this marriage work. I anticipate a new beginning, Jamie.”
He’s insane.
Every part of me is shaking. With outrage. With fear. I flex my fists as I fight for a calm I can’t find. But releasing the rage will bring a call to action that will keep us all trapped in this hell—every person in the Coliseum along with me.
With the weight of their lives on my shoulders, I force down the need to spit in this monster’s face. “I can’t promise we’ll be happy, but I do promise to try.”
The false vow is all I’ve got.
“That’s all I can ask. For now, anyway.”
Vomit rolls up my throat when his lips brush my forehead.
As quick as he lashed out is as fast as he strides out of the solarium with the confidence of a man who believes himself indestructible. He leaves me standing there, a tempest in a teapot, with a ticking clock joining the sirens ringing in my head as time begins a frantic beat against my brain.
As if I needed another reminder that every minute spent here keeps us all at the mercy of a madman.
5
Wraith
If Lyle cuts any deeper, he’s hitting bone.
Or bleeding me dry.
Correction. He did hit bone about a dozen slices ago.
They’ve been at it for hours. I’m leaning toward David wanting this to end with me dead because there’s no way I’m making it out of this room alive.
Lyle and Owen have me on my knees, arms outstretched at my sides. Chained to the floor, a rabid animal in metal cuffs kneeling in a puddle of blood. I grind my teeth to keep them from chattering when Owen douses me with ice water. The giggly bitch finds this hilarious. I track his movements back to Lyle, who’s busy playing eeny, meeny, miny, moe to select which tool to use on me next.
I’m doing my best to stay alive, but holy shit, I don’t know how much more I can take before my body shuts down.
