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She braced her right foot against the wall, gripping the handle with both hands as she pulled with all her might. But the door refused to budge.

Sickeningly twisted laughter echoed off the tiles behind her.

“Help!” She banged her fist against the door, praying someone would hear her.

Terror washed over her as the man just stood back, letting her scream. Like he enjoyed watching his prey, savoring their fears before they realized escape was impossible.

“TAKESHI!” Khalani screamed at the top of her lungs in a last-ditch effort.

Suddenly, a rough hand clamped around her mouth and yanked her backward. She was thrown to the ground and gasped as her left wrist bent awkwardly in the fall.

But she didn’t have time to focus on the pain. The prisoner shoved her shoulders down, pinning her beneath him.

Khalani bucked her hips wildly. “Get off of me!” she yelled ferally. She tried pushing him, but he tightened his legs around her, refusing to budge.

The excitement shining in his eyes was the thing nightmares were made of. He leaned forward, putting his meaty hands on her shoulders, holding her down as she struggled.

“Stop fighting and it won’t hurt as much,” he whispered.

He shifted against her, trying to take off his uniform. But when he lifted his hand, she pounced.

Khalani put the full weight of her fury and rage into her fist, and punched him in the throat, just as Takeshi taught her.

The man clutched his neck, choking on his next breath.

Using the distraction, she slid out from under him, but his hand closed around her ankle, yanking her back. With her other foot, she kicked him square in the face.

His head whipped back, and she scrambled to her feet, running toward the door, planning to crash into it with her body to break it open.

But a rough hand seized her bicep, spinning her around. All she could focus on were his furious grey eyes before he punched her square in the face.

The force sent Khalani crashing into the wall. Her vision grew hazy, blood dripping down her lip, but she couldn’t register the pain. All she could focus on was the incensed prisoner charging at her again, his teeth clenched in a snarl.

Khalani wobbled on her feet, holding up her fists.

If this was to be her final moment, she wanted to be found with her knuckles bloody and nails sawed off because she fought to her last bitter breath.

He was one step away—

Bang!

The door slammed open.

The prisoner halted, eyes widening in shock when a large figure barged in, looking like death himself.

Takeshi’s apocalyptic gaze immediately centered on her.

At first, his eyes softened in relief, but he slowly took in the rest of her. From her still-wet hair to her swollen, bleeding lip, to her trembling arms and uniform that was half undone from the assault.

Takeshi’s expression morphed into a face you’d imagine the devil might possess—a cold and terrible beauty. The air around him grew frigid. Perilous.

His head swiveled toward the prisoner, who crossed his arms.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” the man asked.

Takeshi took a measured step forward, blocking Khalani fromhis view.

Despite his words, the prisoner backed up, sensing the menacing void surrounding Takeshi.