Page 166 of Cain

“I’ve met many whores like you in my life, and honestly, I see what my bastard son sees in you,” he hisses in her face.

I try to get up one more time, but someone punches my ribs with an iron fist. Pain shoots through my side like a hot knife.

“I’m wondering if he’ll still want you if you are … flawed,” he continues, trailing the knife over her bare thighs.

“I’ll carve out your fucking eyes and feed them to you,” I scream, attempting to release myself, but three bulky men hold me in place.

The blade grazes her thigh but doesn’t cut her.

“Let me go, you fucking freak!” she yells, yanking herself, trying to break free.

He cuts her …

She gasps with pain.

“Son of a bitch—” I growl, but another strong, iron punch lands on my ribcage.

“I enjoy this more than I should.” He chuckles, shaking his head. “I’m wondering … what if she had a scar like that on her face?” He presses the blade to her cheek, and she holds still, her eyes wide.

My jaw clenches, but I never stop fighting my way out of their grip.

“Or a slit on her throat?” He grabs her hair, yanks her head back, and presses the knife to her throat.

“No, no, no! Don’t you dare touch her!”

Tears run down her cheeks uncontrollably as her eyes fix on mine. “Close your eyes,” she sobs. “Please, Cain, close your eyes.”

“Killme, you fucking coward! I am your enemy; she’s innocent.”

“I prefer the term ‘collateral damage.’ But remind me. Weren’t you that sick fucking bastard who butchered and decapitated my son?”

“He killed my mother. You brainwashed him to torture me.”

“You. Killed. My fucking son!” he fumes, turning red. “Killing your whore in front of your fucking eyes is the best revenge I can take.”

“Please, just close your eyes,” she sobs.

“Don’t listen to her. Don’t be such a coward. Look at me as I slit her fucking throat,” he growls, the knife digging deeper into her flesh, making a droplet of blood run down. She squeezes her eyes, and her breathing becomes quicker.

“Stop! Stop it now! Takeme!”

God, no. No, no, no. I can’t lose her. She can’t die because of me. I’m drowning. Drowning in panic, in guilt, in everything I never said. I can’t imagine my life without her. I can’t do it. I just can’t.

Please, God, please?—

A gunshot splits the silence.

Wade twists midair like a rag doll, blood trailing as he crashes to the ground.

Everything stops. Everyone freezes.

Then, everyone’s heads turn toward the choir loft. It’s Grayson.It’s fucking Grayson!

I find the chance and shove these fuckers off me. Finally, I break free, shaking with rage, ready to fucking kill.

But strangely, I don’t think about revenge at the moment. I think ofher.Only her. I bolt toward her and cut her ties, releasing her.

“Hey, are you okay?” I ask, cupping her face.