Page 28

Block, hit, stab, repeat.
Progress was null and void. Every piercing scream with every death was a little slice of torture. It wrecked me more and more.
Each fight grew harder.
A hit to the stomach.
The face.
The ribs.
The blows left bruises I knew I’d feel for days if I survived. My muscles screamed for relief, and my heart damn near galloped in my chest.
Block, hit, stab—
Something thin and cold closed tight around my neck. My breath caught in my throat. I lost my knife while I tried to grapple the thin wire. The harder I struggled, the more it tightened.
A sharp blow to the back of my knee knocked me down.
I couldn’t get my footing.
One strong tug yanked me back.
My vision pulsed with dark shadows.
My chest burned.
Desperation settled in.
I wasn’t getting out.
CHAPTER 23
Nah, what the hell you doin’?” I laughed and nudged Ryder out of the way with my hip. “Always fuckin’ up the steaks.”
“Not everyone wants to eat raw meat,” he scoffed.
“It ain’t raw—”
“It’s still bleeding!”
“Did you know that ain’t blood? It’s a thing called myoglobin or some shit,” I told him, proud as fuck that I knew that shit. His brows came together as he frowned, making me laugh. “What? I know things about things. Sometimes.”
“You looked that shit up on the internet, didn’t you?” he asked.
“Where else do you look shit up?” I teased and kissed him briefly. “That, and I found this kid out in… fuckin’ Washington or somethin’… I don’t know where. He makes all these cookin’ videos. Educational shit but he makes it fun. Kid has an OnlyFans too. Cooks with his dick out.”
“You did not subscribe.”
“Nah.” I laughed. “I get the best dick for free.”
Glancing at him, I caught the slight blush creeping on his cheeks. The man was so damn awkwardly cute about being complimented. I fucking loved that about him. He crossed his arms, standing a little taller with his discomfort.
“Just make sure to cook my steak,” Ryder muttered.
“I got you, baby,” I promised. “Even if you are a heathen who likes—”
The house shook violently, the windows rattling hard enough to shatter. I stumbled and grabbed onto the counter for support. Across the kitchen, Ryder did the same.