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Anger whipped through Wynter and shot to her extremities. “Youknewsomething was wrong. You saw him dump me on the floor of the van. And you smirked like a smug piece of shit.”
“Smiled.It was just a smile,” he insisted.
Maxim grunted. “Yes, because you’re so known for smiling.”
Cain took a step toward the berserker, who snapped his mouth shut. “What don’t I like? Tell me.”
Grouch swallowed. “Lies or excuses.”
“Lies and excuses. And yet, you fed me both last time you were here. You’re doing it again right now when you’re already in enough trouble as it is.” Cain slanted his head. “Does that really seem wise to you?”
Wynter almost shivered at the menace threaded through each syllable. Her Ancient could be damn scary when he wanted to be. She would genuinely hate to be on the end of that piercing, murderous glare.
Her monster was now wide awake, riveted by the action playing out in front of it, fairly salivating with anticipation as it waited for the berserker to be punished.
“Give me some honesty, Grouch,” said Cain. “Show me you havesomesense of self-preservation.”
Grouch squeezed his eyes shut. “I didn’t think you’d really care if she disappeared. She’s just a woman who warms your bed.”
“There you go again with the lies. You weren’t thinking of whether or not I’d care. You were thinking about how her disappearance would suityouand your business. I warned you that if you made any trouble for Wynter, you’d pay for it in blood. She was in danger, and you did nothing. Which is even worse than if you’d tried sabotaging her business. Youknewthat. But you didn’t care. Isn’t that right?”
After a long moment, Grouch nodded. “Y-yes. I should have done something to help her or told someone what I saw,” he conceded, his voice low. “Staying quiet was a shitty thing to do.”
“Wynter might have died at the hands of her kidnappers. I’d say ‘shitty’ is an absolute understatement. Wouldn’t you?”
“I would.” Grouch glanced at her, sweat now beading his brow. “I’m sorry.”
Wynter inwardly snorted. There was norealsincerity in that apology. Only stark fear.
“You’re saying all the right things, Grouch. But I don’t know if I believe you.” Cain flicked his aide a glance. “What about you, Maxim?”
Arms folded, the gargoyle replied, “I think he’s simply telling you what he thinks you want to hear.”
Cain hummed. “So do I.”
As did Wynter.
“It doesn’t make any difference either way, really,” said Cain. “Because the thing is … I don’t want to hear that you’re sorry, Grouch. I don’t want to hear an honest confession. I just want to hear you scream.”
Grouch sucked in a breath as his back arched like a brow. Then he screamed. Likereallyscreamed—the sound rang with pain and terror. As if someone was flaying the skin from his bones and pouring acid over the wounds.
Holy shit.
He dropped to his knees so hard she’d be surprised if he hadn’t shattered his kneecaps. Still making those bloodcurdling wails, he keeled over, his face scrunched up tight. She’d honestly never seen anyone look like they were in this much agony.
Cain was assaulting his soul, she knew. She was well aware of how pleasurable his touch could be when he reached out to her soul. Although she’d known that he could also cause her terrible pain, it wasn’t really until now that she’d properly considered just how intensely unbearable any pain he delivered would be.
Ever so casually, Cain raised his hand and closed it tight.
The screams cut off, and Grouch began to choke. His teary eyes wide, he wheezed. Grabbed at his throat. Tried sucking in air.
He stared at Cain with a plea in his eyes … and the immortal stared back at him, his gaze implacable—there was no anger there, no hint of temper, no glint of annoyance. And that made the whole thing so much more disturbing. Yet, she felt no pity for the berserker. He hadn’t cared about what could have happened to her, so why should she give a damn what happened to him?
Finally, Cain uncurled his hand. Grouch collapsed to the ground, coughing and sucking in huge gulps of air.
“He’s going to faint if he keeps breathing like that,” said Maxim, somewhat dispassionate.
Cain pursed his lips. “Most likely.” He narrowed his eyes. “I won’t tell you not to fuck up like this again, Grouch. I don’t need to. Because you’ll never have the chance to repeat your mistake. No one who targets something that belongs to me ever does.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Throw him in the snake pit.”
