17 Die Fighting #3
His smile turns cruel. “That can be arranged.”
I don’t see the backhand coming. Stars explode behind my eyes as my head snaps sideways and pain blooms across my cheek. I gasp, but I don’t cry. I won’t.
Scar Jaw unlocks the chain that’s connected to the wall, pulling me up and connecting me to a hook hanging from the ceiling.
Chain guy tightens something on the wall which pulls my chains higher and higher until my hands are above my head.
My feet barely touch the floor. My shoulders scream in protest.
“Get the fuck out,” I growl, tasting copper in my mouth. “Go crawl back to your master like the dogs you are.”
Chain Guy leans in again, slow, until our faces are inches apart.
“You’ve got quite a mouth on you. But I’ll tell you a secret, sweetheart.” He pauses, eyes flicking down my body. “Master will give you to the men; he does that sometimes. To break his toys.”
My stomach drops. But I don’t look away. I stare into his eyes and show him every ounce of fury I have left. Every drop of venom. Of fire. Of hate.
“I hope you’re the first one I put in the ground.”
He smirks.
Chain Guy's fingers skim the collar of my shirt, tugging it just enough to make my skin crawl.
Scar Jaw mutters, pacing nearby, “A lot of bark. No bite.”
They laugh.
I spit in his face.
It didn’t even reach his cheek, but he recoils, eyes blazing.
“You little—”
In one smooth motion, my shirt is torn open. The friction burns against my skin as my body swings forward. Scar Jaw keeps a hold of my shirt, pressing himself against me.
“Let’s see if you still have this fire after I fuck you.”
The door swings open again.
“Stop,” he barks. It’s familiar.
Chain Guy straightens like a guilty dog. Scar Jaw freezes mid-step.
I hear the steps on the stairs, echoing in the space.
Jace enters the room. His face wears his usual cold mask, arm still in a sling.
“There you are, baby!” Dakota squeals.
Baby? What the fuck?
Dakota shoots out of her seat and skips over, draping her arms around his neck and kisses his cheek. My heart drops as his arm wraps around her waist, her body molding against his.
“Delaine, you have orders.” Chain guy backs away with a frown.
“Butch, keep it in check.” Jace stares at Scar Jaw.
Butch nods. “Sir.”
“Baby, I don’t think it matters if they get to play around with her. As long as she’s still breathing.” Dakota makes a dramatic pout.
What in the actual fuck is happening right now? Am I hallucinating?
I meet Jace’s eyes. He’s just watching me. I don’t recognize him at all. The overhead lighting makes his face look more angular, the shadows darkening his expression.
Here, the knives are hidden behind perfect smiles.
Jace’s words from our first conversation run through my mind over and over. How could I have been so fucking stupid?
“Stay away from Jace Ravencourt.”
“And Jace? Does he believe that too?”
“He was raised to. Trained to. But what he truly believes… only he knows.”
How did I let this happen to me? Again.
Dakota pulls Jace’s face down to her and I want to vomit. Her hands paw all over him.
My heart breaks right there. How could I have been led so astray? Everything felt so…real. I thought he was opening up to me, that I was seeing the vulnerable parts of him.
But he was using it to get to me. He never cared about me. Clearly.
How did I not see him and Dakota?
Was I just that blind? Caught up in everything?
Tex trusted him…didn’t he? Were there things he never told me? Murdered before he ever had the chance? Maybe he hid things from everyone. I thought I could trust his judgement, that I could trust Jace, and look where it’s gotten me.
The heavy metal door slams open. Measured footsteps descend the stairs. I already know who I’ll see.
“Isobel, glad to see you again so soon.” A disgusting, smug smile is plastered on Gideon’s face.
“Lucian will never let you get away with this,” I snarl.
“Oh, but Lucian has no idea.” Gideon paces in front of me. “You see, Dakota here went back to the Guild, claiming Daniel’s men took you. You both got separated. And now you’re missing.” Gideon pretends to pout. “I did warn you, Isobel. To enjoy it while it lasted.” His cruel smile returns.
“Fuck. You.” I pray that just in this moment, rage alone can melt this sick fucking bastard where he stands.
Gideon makes that same soft tsk noise at me that makes me grind my teeth together.
“Still so feisty,” he muses, “even like this.”
“Go to hell,” I rasp.
“Oh darling, you’re already there.”
Behind him, Jace still holds Dakota. He looks so much like his father. I see him for who he really is. The asshole from the beginning. I can’t blame anyone but myself. He played a good game. He made me believe every moment.
“Ah, I see you know my future daughter-in-law?” Gideon gestures behind him.
“Excuse me?” I try to swallow the dryness in my throat.
“When Jace takes over the Guild, I’ll be right there with him.” Dakota smiles. “We’re the power couple.” She gives me a pitying glance.
“Get comfortable, Isobel. You’ll be here for a while.” Gideon smiles, patting my cheek. I try to bite his hand.
Anger flares in his eyes for a moment, then with a blink, he wrangles it back in.
“You’ll have to learn that your actions have consequences.” He nods to Butch and Delaine.
“Make sure our guest has a great time tonight.” Gideon’s smile makes me want to hurl. He turns and strolls past Jace.
“Let’s go, son.” Gideon makes his way upstairs without another glance.
Jace’s jaw is set, but he and Dakota dutifully follow Gideon out of the room. The door slams shut behind. I flinch at the sound.
Silence follows, thick and suffocating.
Butch and Delaine stand across the room, grinning like this is their idea of a good time. My pulse pounds in my ears, but I stare them down anyway.
Delaine’s voice is filled with amusement. “Gideon always did like them feisty.”
Butch cracked his knuckles. “We’ll show her a good time, alright.”
His smile is jagged. Cruel. They move toward me. Butch is already reaching for my chest. Cold air licks across my bare skin, and panic surges like acid in my throat.
I kick. Fight. Bite down on a scream. They don’t hit me. But they touch.
Greedy hands skimming across skin. Fingers groping. The unmistakable sound of a belt buckle being undone. I stare at the ceiling, refusing to cry. Refusing to give them that power. They laugh.
And when I don’t scream or break—they get louder. Crueler.
Delaine leans in close, breath rancid against my face. “No wonder Jace doesn’t want you.”
He unzips his pants and touches himself, leering like he’s proud of it.
I turn my head. Stare at the wall. And leave my body behind.