Page 16

All I know is this might be my last night on earth.
And I keep running Killian’s warning through my head over and over again.
Why was I so stubborn?
I should have taken a guard. But I hate the looks I get when I do. And when I don’t have them, I can feel like a normal person. Not the daughter of some mafia boss—not his sister.
But Killian was right.
I can’t escape who I am. Who my family is. No matter how much I’d like to pretend I’m someone else.
“What do you say, Vinny? Shall we start cutting her up? Sending little bits and pieces of her back to her brother until he gets the message?”
My stomach knots, my heart hammering in my chest as the reality of my situation comes crashing down on me. They kidnapped me to send Killian a message. And while I really don’t like the thought of experiencing that kind of pain, I really don’t want to be another headstone my brother has to visit.
“The boss said artificial injuries only,” Vinny counters.
“Pity,” my nameless captor says, then he turns his attention back to me as malice glints in his eyes. “That’s alright. I think we’ll have plenty of fun with you before the night is done.”
Pain sears across my thigh, and I cry out as he brings a riding crop down on my leg.
I jerk forward, my head pounding as a sob rips up my throat, and suddenly, I’m sitting up in bed in a dark room—my room. A thin line of golden light shines beneath the bottom of my door, and I can hear my brother’s voice come to an abrupt halt on the other side.
But the fear of being alone in the dark is so consuming, I feel I might suffocate.
And with my captor’s eyes fresh in my mind, lurking in the corners of my consciousness, I’m overcome with an intensesense of hopelessness. Like I’m still trapped in that horrible warehouse, unable to escape their vicious game.
I break into tears as Killian and Lance burst back into the room, leaving the door open wide to let a stream of light wash across my bed.
“Shh, Quinny, you’re okay. You’re safe,” Killian says, making the edge of the bed sink several inches as he settles onto it and pulls me into a hug.
Behind him, Lance hovers protectively, his face a blend of concern and fury.
Choking down my sobs, I nod and try to collect myself. “I just…every time I close my eyes, I see their faces,” I hiccup, brushing at my tears and then flinching when my cheek throbs.
Killian sighs heavily, pulling back just enough to look me in my eyes. “What can I do?”
“Nothing,” I whisper, heat radiating in my cheeks. “It was just a bad dream. I thought I was still there…with them…and the pain felt so real.”
“You’re here. You’re safe, and I’llneverlet them hurt you again,” Killian assures me vehemently.
“Never again,” Lance agrees, his statement adamant and fierce enough to make my heart flutter.
“Try to get some sleep, okay? The doc said you need rest,” my brother says, chucking my chin affectionately and attempting to flash me one of his devilish smiles. But I can see the worry lurking behind his eyes.
I nod, though I’m terrified at the thought of sleeping.
Because I know as soon as I do, my captors will be there waiting for me.
Studying my face, Killian hesitates. “I could sleep on the floor,” he offers, clearly reading the fear that pounds through my veins.
I’ve never been more tempted to take him up on the offer. But he has a new wife, who I’m sure is missing him by now, and I don’t want to seem like a baby. I’m an adult. And I’ve gone to nursing school. I realize this is residual trauma. I can handle this.
“No, I’ll be fine,” I say, my voice trembling with the thought of my brother being all the way on the other side of the house.Would it be childish to ask if I can sleep in a room next to his?
“I’m staying the night,” Lance cuts in. “I’ll stay in the room across the hall—in case you need me.”
Touched by his offer because Lance doesn’t normally do that kind of thing, I look up to meet his eyes gratefully. Somehow, it makes me feel so much better knowing someone I trust will be within easy hearing range. The thought of having Lance close makes me feel safe. He wouldn’t let anyone get near me. Not that I think they’ll try taking me again tonight.