Page 21 of Cruel Betrayal

Not as I slip the needle beneath her skin.

Not as I push the plunger down, waiting for the moment when she finally stops fighting.

This is for your own good, love.

Chapter Seven

JADE

Am I dead?Is this what it’s like to be dead?

Can’t feel my fingers or my toes. There’s a tingling, but I’m not sure where it’s coming from, and I don’t know what to do.

I try to force them to move, but I can’t. I can’t open my eyes either.

There’s nothing but darkness.

Darkness and a dull throbbing in my head.

There’s a squeak like a door moving on old hinges. There’s a rustle of what I’m sure has to be the plastic on the walls.

“Oh, good, you’re starting to wake up,” he says, his voice rough, the tone slightly changed.

I hope I broke the fucker’s nose.

His heavy sigh fills the room. “I know you’re awake, Jade, and I want to talk to you about what happened yesterday. I think we might have gotten off on the wrong foot.”

Come on, body, flip the fucker the double birds.

Nothing.

I want to scream, but the sound would just be lost to the rest of the room. If I could even force the scream out.

It still feels like my tongue is heavy in my mouth. So heavy that I can’t do anything with it.

What the hell did he give me?

“Now, my name is Ezra. Which is all you need to know for now, love.” His fingers brush against my cheek.

The touch is barely there, but it’s enough to send little sparks across my skin.

What the fuck?

I might’ve been attracted to him before I knew who he was, but now that he’s done this shit, I shouldn’t still be attracted to him.

“I have to admit, the fight you have in you is inspiring, even if it is a little annoying.” Ezra’s fingers trace lower, down the side of my neck. “I think we’re going to have to set some expectations if you’re going to be here with me.”

Feeling starts to come back to my toes, but I keep still, hoping that I might be able to get the upper hand if he thinks I’m still sedated.

I could try to get to the knives before he does, but I don’t even know if they’re still in the room. Or if I’m in the same room.

I pry my eyelids open, looking at him.

His hazel eyes meet mine, the flecks of gold blending with the green and blue into something sinister.

There’s a look in his eyes that I know better than to trust. It’s one I’ve seen in several men’s eyes before. The look that says they’re just waiting for the chance to make you feel horrible. To make you think that freedom is something you can actually have, and then they take it away just because they can.

I don’t know what’s going to happen here today, but I’ll be damned if I allow him to take away my power.