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"Why?" He laughs, standing to pace around me. "Because Sam Costello needs to learn his place. Taking over his territory wasn't enough. I want him to feel what real loss is."

My heart hammers against my ribs. The way he circles me reminds me of a predator toying with its prey.

"You know what's funny?" Axel pulls up a rickety chair, turning it backward before straddling it. "This is the same place where his mama died. Same shack. Same rope." He flicks his gaze to my bound wrists. "History repeating itself."

Ice floods my veins. Sam's story of his mother dying to protect him comes back to me. The realization that I'm in the source of his trauma makes me dizzy.

"He told you about that, huh?" Axel's eyes narrow at my reaction. "I can see it in your face. How sweet. Sharing his deepest secrets with his little girlfriend. He must really like you, sweetheart. That makes what I'm about to do even better."

I straighten my spine despite the pain. "He'll kill you for this."

"He won't. But hewilltry to rescue you." Leaning forward, his hot breath hits my face. "I want him to come. I want him to see your pretty face before I put a bullet in it. Just like his mama."

I grit my teeth and do my best to hold back my tears. I don't want this asshole to know how scared I am. "Why?" I ask again.

Axel's face darkens. "He didn't tell you?" He laughs darkly. "Your boyfriend killed my pops that night."

The pieces start to click together.

"Your dad killed his mom…"

Axle shakes his head like my logic is wrong. Like it shouldn't matter that one kill led to another. All that matters to the man in front of me is his own retribution.

"It never ends." I continue. "One death after another. The cycle will just keep repeating itself. The vengeance will never end?—"

A loud crack rings out in the shed as he backhands me across the face. I drop my head, my hands shaking in their restraints as my cheek stings.

"Shut up, bitch!" he shouts.

I've hit a nerve.

I taste blood where my lip split from Axel's backhand. The metallic tang fills my mouth as I try to clear my head, to think of something, anything, that might help me.

Axel stands over me, his eyes glinting with something that makes my skin crawl. "You know, before I kill you, I think I'll have a little fun." His hand reaches for my face, rough fingers tracing my jawline. "Show Costello I can take everything that's his."

I jerk away, but there's nowhere to go. "Don't touch me."

"Or what?" Grabbing a fistful of my hair, he yanks my head back. "No one's coming to save you yet."

He leans too close as his other hand tears at my shirt. I struggle against the ropes, my wrists burning as they rub against the coarse fibers. In my desperate twisting, my fingers brush against something sharp behind me.

While Axel is distracted by pulling at my clothes, I stretch my fingers farther, feeling the edge of what seems to be a rusted screw sticking out from the floorboard. I work my bindings against it, sawing back and forth while Axel's hands roam my body.

"Please," I whimper, not entirely acting as tears stream down my face. "Please don't do this."

"Beg all you want," he growls, focused on unbuckling his belt. "I like the sound of it."

Bile churns in my gut. I'm running out of time. His hands feel like hot irons on my skin, every touch burning me.I need to get myself free.

The rope finally gives way with a snap. I keep my hands behind me, waiting for the right moment. When Axel leans forward again, I pull my hand from behind my back, and with all my strength, I drive it the screw his neck, but he moves at the last second. The screw sinks into his shoulder instead.

Axel roars in pain and rage, staggering backward. "You fucking bitch!" Blood seeps through his shirt as he yanks the nail out.

His eyes, wide with fury, lock onto mine. "You're gonna regret that." He lunges forward, grabbing me by the throat, squeezing until black spots dance across my vision.

I struggle against Axel's grip, clawing at his hands as he chokes me. The edges of my vision darken, but desperation gives me strength. I kick wildly, connecting with his knee. He grunts, his grip loosening just enough.

I wrench sideways, toppling us both to the floor. My head cracks against the wooden planks, sending pain shooting through my skull. Axel recovers faster, straddling me, his weight crushing my ribs.