Page 74 of Dirty Behavior

Kicking my legs, I flailed my arms. “Let me go!”

“Bring her to my office, I'm done playing.”

“Fuck you.” My voice was hoarse and cold. Drawing in a loud slurp, I spit at his face. “You deserve everything that's coming your way, Asshole!”

“She speaks.” Lifting his hand, Remo let it go across my jaw. “Take her away.”

My mouth stung, the pulse in my lip beating as a warm trickle of blood flowed over my chin. I didn't care. He could hit my face, he could sling my arms up and whip me until my skin turned raw and all my muscles looked like chewed spaghetti. I didn't give a shit.

As long as he didn't touch my stomach. That was something I wasn't going to allow.

I refused to walk to my death. No fucking way. If Del had to get me there, he was going to work for it. I let my body go limp, feet draped behind me.

Del was dragging me down the hall, his lungs huffing under my weight. Pulling me into a small office, he dropped me like a sack of potatoes as he shut the door behind us. “Stand up, the boss wants you over there.”

Following his finger, he pointed at a thick rope dangling from the ceiling.

“Why would you do this for him? Don't you realize he doesn't give a shit about you either?”

“I don't get paid to care, Honey. Now stand up.”

“No.”

“Stand. Up.” Plucking my shoulder, he tried to lift me again, but failed. He was too out of breath and too tired to even get my hips off the floor this time. “Get the fuck up!” Grunting in frustration, he wiped the sweat off his forehead.

“Fuck you, you piece of shit.” Folding my arms across my chest, I sat cross-legged on the cold cement. “You want me there, you do it yourself.”

“Fine.” Del leaned down to grab me again, reaching for my wrists.

Think, Ivy.

There's got to be an out.

His sweaty fingers curled over my skin, digging in hard. I had to come up with a way to stall him. This could be my only chance.

Glancing at the rope, I noticed it wasn't tied at the end. The dirty brown threads were lifeless, hanging without the noose.

“How are you supposed to tie me to it when it isn't even ready?”

Groaning, Del said, “Nice try, he told me you might try and talk your way out of this.”

“I'm serious, look at the rope.”

Pausing, Del looked over his shoulder. “Fuck, you're right.”

“See, I wasn't lying.”

“Sit here, don't move, and don't try a fucking thing. The boss gave me the okay to kill you if I have to.”

“Have you ever killed before? Or would I be your first?”

He eyed me cautiously, lip quivering. “Shut up.”

Holding up my hands, I rolled back on my ass. “Just asking.”

“Stay right there or so help me, I will put a hole in your head.” Releasing my arm, Del started towards the torture trap hanging from the ceiling.

Dumb move, you stupid prick.