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Chapter 4

Calax

Ihated the smell of blood.

There were very few things I hated...well...that was a lie. I hated a shit ton of stuff.

Slow walkers, fucking picnics on the beach, painting...oh and assholes who liked to beat the shit out of me.

My head was tossed backwards with the force of the blow, but I kept my grin firmly in place. It seemed to piss the assholes off - the knowledge that they couldn’t break me. They could try, but I had something they only wished they had.

Literally.

“Where is she?” Punch. Blood drizzled down my chin, the taste of copper heavy on my tongue. The man, whose name I’d discovered was Gabriel, pulled his fist back once more.

“Enough,” a soft, succulent voice said followed by the clatter of high heels. Bitch stepped into the room they had designated as mine, arms folded over her chest. Of course, that wasn’t her real name, but it was the name I had given her in my head.

Addie was apparently rubbing off on me.

The dumb bitch had tried to seduce me when I had first arrived - as if a mediocre face could ever turn me against Addie. As if any face could turn me against my love. A part of me thought she was still pissed that her feminine wiles hadn’t worked on me or some shit like that. Either way, she loved to be present for my “interrogation sessions.”

Read as: torture sessions.

They may have healed me from the Ragers’ attack, but they were determined to break me. What they failed to realize was that I was unbreakable.

Fucking assholes.

“Are you going to tell us where she is?” Bitch asked, kneeling to face me. She tried to look sympathetic, but it came across more like a grimace. She moved to touch my face, but I jerked away. Blood rushed to my ears, the movement causing my head to pound, but it was worth it to see the shock on her face. That shock was quickly replaced by a blistering anger, hot enough to destroy this room.

She pulled her hand back and slapped me square across the face. This time, I barely even moved, refusing to break eye-contact with the horrid woman. I wanted her to see me when she inflicted pain. I wanted her to see the resolve in my eyes, the determination.

I would die before these bastards got their hands on Adelaide.

Through the metaphysical grapevine, I had discovered that these were the assholes that had helped Liz kidnap Ryder and Addie. The deal had been simple: Liz could have her fun with them, but Addie was not to be killed. Harmed, yes. Mutilated, also yes. But killed? That was a hard no by the powers that be.

I still hadn’t garnered why. Why Addie? What did they want with her?

Turning away from me, Bitch looked up at Gabriel.

“He’s here,” she said. Each word was clipped, acid practicallyoozingfrom her pores. Aw. She was still pissed that I had rejected her. Poor bitchy thing.

And then her words registered.

I focused on their conversation fully, eagerly lapping up every snippet of information they seemed so inclined to share.

“Shit.” Was I mistaken, or did Gabriel look worried? Whoever this “he” was scared the shit out of both Bitch and Gabriel. He probably should’ve scared me as well, but instead I felt something that resembled relief. Maybe I could finally figure out what the hell was going on.

The only conclusion: Addie’s parents were looking for her. It would explain the manpower, their penchant for violence, the fear emanating from my two tormentors. I just couldn’t figure out why. Were they that desperate for a punching bag?

The thought of her vile parents getting their hands on my girl filled me with rage unlike anything I had ever felt before.

I would die before they even caught a glimpse of her.

Gabriel, after one more ineffectual punch at my face, hurried out of the room to greet this mysterious person. Bitch remained for a moment longer, hands clenched into fists at her sides.

“This all would’ve been easier if you would’ve accepted my offer,” she said snidely, and I couldn't help but snort. As if I would forget Addie and fuck her instead.

She was lucky I didn’t name her Dumb Bitch.