Chapter 20
Idon’t know how long I’m out before the cell door opens.
I sit up as much as the chains will allow, bracing for the next round of torture, but instead the guards come in and throw something on the filthy mattress—not something, someone.
They step out of the room, leaving me with the person.
Their back is to me, and it’s hard to see much in the dim room, but they are breathing so they are alive.
They look too small to be one of my brothers, which is my only saving grace.
A little while later, there’s a groan, and the person rolls onto their back. I try to make out their features. They have long hair, which is odd, and a small face, and when they turn, I realize why I know it.
Karma.
She blinks at me and then looks down at the mattress. “Tell me you didn’t shit yourself on this. Piss, fine, but not shit.”
Luckily, she’s on the side where Butcher didn’t ruin my ear, but I tilt my head a little to hear her better. Sounds are strange now, but I’m trying my best to grow accustomed to it.
“Why is piss fine?” I ask before I realize what is going on. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
Grunting, she sits up and pushes her hair back, exposing a wicked bump on her forehead where they must have knocked her out.
“To rescue you, of course,” she explains as she stands, cracking her back and looking around.
“Oh, well, you’re doing a great job,” I deadpan, and she glares at me with an annoyed frown.
“Rude. Do you think I want to be here? I did this on purpose,” she grumbles.
“What do you mean?” I frown in confusion. “Wait, you got kidnapped on purpose? That’s insane.”
“Thank you.” She bows as she squints at me. “You look like shit.”
“Thanks,” I mutter.
“No, like really bad, like the old you was fucked by a lawnmower, and not a small one either, one of those industrial ones.” I stare, and she stares back.
“Right,” I grunt. “Could you commence with the rescue maybe?”
“So impatient. You’re such a bad damsel in distress.” She looks around. “It isn’t the worst cell I’ve been in.”
“Great, maybe we could rank them later. Your damsel is in distress.” My lips twist despite the situation. I want to chuckle. I don’t know how she does it. She makes even the worst situations better. I shouldn’t be happy she’s here, but I am. I’m glad to see her.
The door opens, and her humor fades, her expression locking down.
The transformation is scary, and I realize just how much she was letting me see.
Karma also drops into a fighting stance, which surprises me, when Butcher steps into the room.
He isn’t looking at me, however. He’s glaring at her with possessive intent.
There’s a gleam in his eyes that raises the hair on my arms, and I jangle my chains to get his attention, but he doesn’t look away from her.
“Hello, Bexy, it’s been a long time. I’ve missed you.” He looks at me then, as she pales. “Didn’t I tell you about my pet? Well, that was our dear Bexy here, though she goes by Karma now.” He grins at her. “Quite the ironic name.”
“I see your face healed well.” She smirks, and his eyes narrow. “I should have cut deeper.”
“You should have if you wanted me dead,” he agrees.
“I won’t make that mistake again,” she vows as he moves closer. She doesn’t back up, but I can tell she wants to. He thrives on fear and intimidation.
“Look at you. I remember when you used to hide and cry anytime I came near, like a scared kitten. One move and you would flinch. I guess your time on the streets has been good to you. The years made you stronger. Want to know what the years did to me? They made me angrier, made me sit and think of all the things I would do to you when I got you back. It’s all I thought about. ”
“You need a hobby,” she sneers.
“I have one—you, my little pet. Don’t you remember? You were always my favorite toy.” He strokes her face, and she glares up at him. “You grew up well, so beautiful and strong . . . I can’t wait to break that again.”
“I’m going to carve the rest of your face off,” she retorts as she leans into him. “I’m not scared of you anymore.”
“Sure thing, pet.” He smirks as he steps back.
“Shall we get started? I was going to do it privately, but not now. I think he should watch, don’t you?
He’s why you’re here, right? You’re working for those Sai brothers.
That’s low for you, but I’ll show you what loyalty gets you.
He won’t do anything to save you, not even when you’re being tortured for him. ”
“I’m the one you want. Leave her alone,” I snap.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Kane. I want you for other reasons, but she was my target all along. Like I said, you were bait, and it worked.” He moves to the table, and I look between him and the tools, but the door opens again and his men rush in, out of breath.
“Sir, we have a problem!”
His growl fills the air, and he hesitates. Turning back to her, he grabs her throat and yanks her close, swiping his tongue down her face to her ear. “I’ll be back soon, and it will be just like old times. You are never getting away from me, pet. I have plans.” He leaves, the door slamming shut.
The silence is tense as I look at her. Her hands are fisted as she glares at the door before she turns her head and meets my gaze. “Don’t feel sorry for me, Kane, or I’ll kill you myself.”
“You did that to his face?” I ask instead.
She blinks before nodding.
“Good work.” She smiles, and I return it with one of my own.
She sits with her back to the wall. She tried to free me, but it didn’t work, so now she’s planning, but I think she’s just bored.
“So, Butcher—”
“No,” she interrupts, not even looking at me. “I know what you’re going to say or ask, and no, I’m not going there. Not with you.”
“We have nothing else to do until he gets back,” I say softly.
“So what? I should share my past with you? Not a chance, Sai,” she snaps like a feral creature backed into a corner, but I see the truth in her eyes.
“You’re scared.” It’s not something I ever thought I would say about her. She seems fearless, but it’s in her eyes, as much as she tries to hide it.
“Fuck off, Sai. I’m not—” Her eyes flash.
“Not of this situation, but of him,” I muse as I look at her. “That’s why you did this. Not to save me or for money. You did it because you are still scared of him, and you can’t have that.”
Her nostrils flare as she looks at me. “You have to kill fear,” she explains. “No matter what it is. Yes, I’m still scared of him. He’s the very last thing in this world I fear, and that is a weakness I won’t tolerate.”
“He’s just a man,” I say. “Men can be killed.”
“To a god, he’s a man, but to a little girl, he was the devil,” she replies, her head falling back to the wall as she looks at me.
“He’s the only thing left that can hurt me and those I love, so yes, I’m not just here for you or the contract I have with your brothers.
I have my own reasons, but don’t worry. It will serve you well. ”
“I wasn’t worried about me,” I admit, and it’s the truth. Despite what I’ve endured, I can tell it’s nothing compared to what she has been through and whatever else he has planned for her. “So what’s the plan?”
She looks at me, and her eyes are completely fucking dead. “I’m going to kill them.”
“Then I’ll help you,” I resolve. “I don’t suppose you have an idea about how to get me free?”
“I do, but you won’t like it.” She smirks, and the look is downright terrifying.