Page 82 of Bitter Queen (Advantage Play 4)

I need to check for Will.

My hands tremble, and my palms are sweaty as I reach for the handle and twist.

It’s empty.

I exhale and laugh to myself at how ridiculous I’m being when a hand covers my mouth and jerks me back. A squeal escapes me, only to be lost in the perpetrator’s black glove.

But it’s the smell that makes my knees give out. The familiar stench of acrid smoke.

His warm breath fans my cheek and makes me gag as the familiar voice that haunts my dreams chills me to the bone.

“Did you miss me, Peach?”

30

Q

Paralyzed, I squeeze my eyes shut, convinced I’m locked in another one of my nightmares. My fingers grapple with the doorjamb as he tugs me backward, treating my body like a ragdoll. I’m desperate to find some traction, but it’s useless.

Elbowing him in the side, he hunches forward but keeps his hold on me and shoves me toward the bed. I land on top of Will with a thud, sandwiched between the two of them. Will’s eyes snap open before Sei backhands him and seethes, “Make one sound, and I gut you right here.”

Will’s lower lip quivers, but he nods his understanding and doesn’t make a sound.

“Good boy,” Sei praises, keeping his voice quiet. “You’re going to stay here and not make a peep. If you do, I’m going to kill your little friend here. Understand?”

Again, Will nods.

“Good. And Peach”—he leans forward and breathes me in—“you’re going to come with me. I’m going to remove my hand, but if you make a single sound, then I’ll kill the kid. Understand?”

Will’s eyes widen with fear as they connect with mine before he mouths, Please.

My head bobs up and down like a good little soldier while vomit creeps its way up my throat.

No, no, no, no. This can’t be happening. I can’t do this again. But I can’t let him hurt Will. He’s just a kid. He deserves a life without monsters like this one. How do I get us both out of this?

Sei removes his hand and pushes himself up, then tangles his hand into my hair and wrenches me to my feet when I don’t join him quickly enough.

“You cut your hair,” he seethes.

I gulp but stay quiet.

“You know how much I loved your hair.” Twisting his punishing grip, my hair feels like it’s being ripped from my scalp, so I grimace and nod.

“Yes. Yes, I know,” I cry, keeping my voice quiet.

“You’ll pay for that later. Right now, we’re getting out of here. And remember. You step out of line, and I kill you and the kid. My patience is gone, Peach. Trust me.”

Will’s terrified gaze catches mine a second time as he lays frozen on the mattress.

“It’ll be okay,” I whisper to him. “Just do what Sei says, and everything will be fine. You’ll be safe here. I promise.”

“Queena—”

“Get moving, Peach,” Sei growls, cutting off Will. “Now.”

He shoves me toward the balcony window, then squeezes my bicep as he searches for something hidden in the green vines that climb the exterior of the house. A long piece of rope is revealed a few seconds later.

“Ladies first.”