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A keening wail fills the barn.

Ezra blows out a breath and turns away.

“Keep screaming, man,” River says calmly, unbothered. “No one can hear you out here.”

Warren leans back against a pole and crosses his arms. Delilah winces, pressing a hand to her mouth.

“You can take the pain.” My eyes lock on the blooming bruise beneath Delilah’s eye. “You hurt her, I hurt you. That’s how it works.” Dino jerks as he sobs, rattling his chains. Snot drips down his face, blood soaks his pant leg.

“Tell us where Please is.”

“She’ll see him soon. Don’t worry.” The man’s tone turns dark. His hard eyes land on Delilah, and despite the gasps that rock his body, he says, “Oh, Please is gonna take his time with you, honey. He’s going to start with that sweet, ripe cunt, and fuck it all night. Fuck it till you’re begging for him to stop.”

A sob tumbles out of Delilah. It fuels the red bleeding at the edge of my vision. Fuels my fear. All I can see is Delilah gone. Hurt.

He hurt her. He tried to take her. Because I fucking failed.

My world stops. I stalk forward. Madness vibrates, thrashes inside me. I whip the chain, churning dust.

“Cole.” Ezra holds up his hands. “Don’t do this.”

I knock him out of the way without a backward glance.

Dino cackles, a shrill, blistering laugh that echoes off the walls. “And then, when you can’t take anymore, he’ll move to your ass—”

The chain darts out, caving in his face. Blood spray-paints the wall of the barn a brilliant red. Dino hangs suspended, his caved-in head slumped forward, blood and tissue dripping down his chest.

“Fuck me!” Ezra’s shout fills the barn. Face twisted with panic, he paces, his hands resting on the back of his head. “Fuck. Cole. Fuck.”

Breathing heavily, I drop the chain to the floor.

“Cole.” River’s voice is urgent, a sharp snap that commands my attention.

I turn, glancing over my shoulder.

Delilah.

My gut twists with regret as harsh reality sets in. She’s just witnessed something she never should have. My heart can’t take the look on her face. This beautiful, innocent girl who’s sideswiped my entire world.

Delilah’s long lashes flutter for just a second, her tearstained cheeks paling as she takes in the blood on my hands, then her knees buckle, and her eyes roll back.

Heart hammering, I take two steps forward and catch her before she can fall.

33 Delilah

A cool hand lifts my nape. A deep voice rumbles, soothing me, bringing me back to consciousness. “Open your fucking eyes, Delilah.”

My lashes flutter, then Cole’s face appears in front of me. He sits beside me on his bed. Distress and regret shine in those deep blue eyes.

I touch my brow. Cole’s hand follows mine, covers it, carefully weaving his big fingers through my hair. “What happened?” My mind feels muddy, slow.

“You fainted.” His chest heaves.

“Fooled you is all,” I whisper, giving him an innocent smile.

Cole growls at me, then drags a hand down his pulsing jaw. “You were in shock. You never should have been there.” Anguish twists his handsome face. He’s blaming himself.

Tears well in my eyes. “It’s okay, Cole. I’m fine.”