Freddy exhales slowly, his shoulders sagging just a fraction.
“Because Lorcan doesn’t win. Not this time.”
“How do I know you’re not feeding me bullshit to buy yourself leverage?”
Freddy’s eyes sharpen. “Because I’ve already paid for backing the wrong man once, and prison has a way of clarifying your priorities.”
“What else do you know?”
“I’ve told you everything I can safely disclose. If I find out more, I’ll make sure the information gets back to you,” he says before knocking on the door.
It swings open, and my pulse spikes as the two guards step back inside.
I watch as something like regret flickers across Freddy’s face.
I frown. “So, what now?”
“You pretend this conversation never happened. You were caught up in the riot and separated from Fiona, and that’s it.”
“Fine. So let me go.”
“I will, after I make sure you look convincing.”
“Convincing?” I ask, confused.
“I’m sorry, Cormac.”
“Sorry for what?”
I don’t get an answer.
The first blow crashes into my ribs, driving the air from my lungs.
Pain detonates through my side, but before I can gasp, another strike lands across my jaw, my head snapping sideways as white light explodes behind my eyes.
I roar, the sound tearing my throat raw.
The guards don’t rush it. They take their time, making sure each hit lands with bone-deep precision, calculated to bruise, to swell, to leave marks that will tell a convincing story.
My body jerks against the restraints, the metal biting into already-raw skin.
Blood fills my mouth, and my ears ring, the world narrowing to nothing but pain.
But through the haze, I see Freddy watching.
Finally, the hits stop, and I slump forward in the chair, my chest burning and my limbs shaking uncontrollably as the adrenaline drains away and leaves only exhaustion behind.
Every inch of me aches, and my face throbs in time with my pulse.
Freddy turns to leave. “They’ll let you out when it’s safe.”
I don’t respond.
As the door closes behind him, I keep my head bowed and watch as the blood from my lip drips onto the floor.
My body might be wrecked, but my fury is intact. And when this is over, someone is going to pay.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
