They stalk toward me and my blood runs cold.
“Well, well,” the scarred one rubs his hands together. “Ain’t she a pretty thing.”
His eyes drag over my body, slow and unhurried, lingering far too long.
“Bet she gives as good as she looks,” the one with the chain says, licking his teeth. “Think they’d really care if we had a little fun?”
“I don’t give a shit,” Dakota says as she examines her nails.
I scramble back, until my back is pressed against the wall. Every nerve in my body is screaming.
“Don’t come near me.”
But I can smell him now—sweat, smoke, something rotten underneath. His boots stop inches from mine.
“She’s got that fight in her,” Scar Jaw murmurs. “Bet that’s why Gideon’s keeping her alive.”
“Nah, he’s gotta be keeping her alive cause she’s pretty,” chain dude replies.
“You’re both sick,” I hiss, glaring at them.
They just grin.
Chain dude crouches in front of me, his breath sour, his presence suffocating. His hand—thick, calloused, disgusting—reaches for my face.
“Don’t,” I warn, my voice low and shaking.
But his fingers brushed the curve of my cheek anyway. The touch lit a fuse of pure rage in my chest. I twist away, heart hammering so hard it makes my ribs ache.
“You think that fire of yours is gonna save you?” he sneers. “You’ll burn out, sweetheart. They all do.”
“I’d rather die fighting than live on my knees,” I spit back.
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.
