Page 5 of Fall of Hellfire (Hellfire Society #3)

four

ALI

T he taste of copper coats my tongue as I come to.

My head is pounding louder than the front row of a rock concert, and as I try to take stock of what is happening, I realize I can't move.

Ever so carefully, I open my eyelids and regret it immediately.

There is a bright light directed straight at my face.

I let out a groan of pain as I mentally go through my body and check for additional injuries.

Luckily, it only seems to be my head and the fact that I bit my tongue when that douche hit me over the head.

Being a bit more alert now, I twist my arms and legs ever so slightly, not wanting to alert anyone who might be watching me.

I'm in a seated position, and my wrist, stomach, and lower legs are strapped down to the chair.

Next, I listen. After a few moments of the only sound being my own breathing and heartbeat, I attempt to peek open my eyes again.

This time, I keep them downcast until they can adjust. A minute later, I'm lifting my head to find a very familiar room, and one I never wanted to see again.

You would think the basement of the Black estate and a prestigious family would have a renovated basement that they would use as a fancy wine cellar or something else just as ridiculous, but no.

Their basement is unfinished and used as storage for unwanted junk.

Hence why I was banned from living upstairs.

My eyes take in the all too familiar surroundings, and a small part of the little girl I once was sheds a tear.

Everything I had to go through to get to where I am now flashes through my mind, and I clench my teeth in rage.

Everything this family made me go through.

Everything looks completely untouched from when I was last here.

My old dresser, the old lumpy mat I called a bed.

Even the old, raggy blankets still lie where I left them.

On the opposite side of the room, a few boxes line the wall next to a built-in counter.

I think they once had plans to turn this room into something more, but I probably ruined that plan too.

Suddenly, a jiggle of the door handle above has me snapping my eyes towards the old wooden stairs.

Footsteps begin to descend, and I immediately shut my eyes and let my head hang like I’m still passed out.

From the sound of it, I can only hear one set of footsteps, which gives me hope I might be able to take whoever has come to check on me.

I don't know how much time has passed, but I know my guys will get worried if I don't check in soon.

Or worse, they might try looking for me.

Taking a slow, deep breath, I prepare myself for whatever is about to happen.

I wasn't prepared. It was Ethan who decided to join me down here.

He also thought I was taking too long to acknowledge him, so he planted his fist into my stomach to get my attention.

The air whooshes from my lungs in a pained groan as I turn and glare daggers at him.

The smug bastard just smirks down at me like he's the cat that got the cream.

He's lucky I’m tied to a fucking chair right now, or else I would return the favor of smacking that look off his face.

Ethan stands there for a long moment. Me glaring at him while he just smirks at me until he leans forward and…

sniffs me. What the fuck?! I knew something wasn’t right inside Ethan’s head but I think he has finally lost it.

“You smell divine, Alison. Even among all this dirt and grime. You smell good enough to taste.” And then the crazy fuck licks me.

I jerk away from the assault, but I don’t get far.

Ethan laughs before standing and moving over to the table.

“Just like I thought. You taste sweet too. I can’t wait to have you all to myself, but that will have to wait a little longer.

We have a few things to take care of first.” I don’t know if it was the hit to the head or just the shock of the position I’m now in, but it takes me a few extra seconds to comprehend Ethan’s words fully.

Something inside of me finally snaps. “You’re a sick fuck, Ethan.

I should have killed you just like I did Richard.

You need some serious fucking help, but if you touch me again, you will regret it.

” If I were an animal, I would be foaming at the mouth as I yank against my restraints.

He will regret ever touching me in the first place — I plan to kill him regardless.

Ethan doesn’t seem to take my threat seriously because the fucker just starts humming a little tune as he starts pulling metal things out of a bag and placing them on the table.

Unfortunately, I’m too far to really see what he is laying out, but I have a few guesses.

This all screams B-rated horror movie in the making.

“Why don’t you just kill me already and save the theatrics for someone who will care,” I snap, twisting at the binds once more. If I can just get my wrist free.

“Now, Alison. Why would I kill you? I love you. We were meant to be together since the day you were born. I just knew it. I know it’s taken us this long to finally be together, but those assholes have gotten in the way.

Which is why I need your help.” He turns to face me now, a look on his face that I can’t quite read.

I finally take him in. When I first saw him at the party a few weeks ago, I instantly recognized him.

He hadn’t changed much since I left years ago, but now there is an edge to him.

One that screams crazy red flags and not the ones I like.

No. Ethan is just all wrong. He took after our father in the looks department with light brown hair and shit brown eyes.

He has a light complexion, with sharp angles, and is built like a swimmer, thin and fit.

Ethan is currently dressed like a pompous ass, in tan slacks and a light blue polo.

More like he is about to go play golf, not whatever he has planned for me.

“So, Princess.” The nickname makes me wince.

Ethan used to call me princess when we were younger as a joke.

Since, you know, I was never actually treated like one, unless it was Cinderella, but she never made it to the ball.

He either doesn’t notice my reaction or doesn’t care because he steps forward, hands behind his back, and continues.

“We can either do this the easy way, and you tell me what you know. Or…” He shows me his hands and the thin, small knife that glints under the overhead light.

“Or we do it the hard way. I don’t want to hurt you, Princess, but I will if I need to. ”

I bite my tongue to keep from snapping out a retort that wouldn’t do me any favors right now.

When he realizes I’m not going to answer him, he grins wide and nods before bringing the knife he was holding down and across my leg.

It’s not a stab but a slice, deep enough that blood immediately wells.

I let out a slew of curses as my irritated glare returns.

Oh yeah. He is definitely on my kill list.

Without missing a beat, he continues on talking, and I let him, somewhat hoping he will slip up and either let out useful information or I get free and kill him.

I’ll be happy with the latter but will accept the information until I can come up with a plan.

“You know, Princess, those boys you’ve been hanging out with are going to get you killed.

Their fathers have made me a very interesting deal that I think you will like. ”

I really did try to hold my tongue, but I’ve never been good at keeping my inner voice quiet.

“Go to hell!” My outburst is answered with a slap to the face, which splits my lip and has blood filling my mouth.

Looking up at Ethan, I give him my own wicked grin, bloody teeth and all, before spitting a gulp of blood right at him.

I watch in delight as it lands right on his chest, his light blue shirt soaking the bright red up.

My smile widens at Ethan’s disgusted look, but he doesn’t find it as entertaining as I do.

Suddenly his whole demeanor changes. Ethan’s stance straightens, and a blank look crosses his face.

Then he speaks, but his tone is now cold and dead-like, and it has a chill skating down my spine.

“You know, Allison, you should have listened to what I had to say first, but no worries. I’ll get what I want regardless of whether you cooperate or not.

Just know, this doesn’t bring me any joy.

It hurts me, actually, but this is the way you chose. ”

Then he swings at me.

The first few punches are to my lower body, my stomach and legs, all the while Ethan is spouting out how this is my fault, my doing, and that I just need to accept my fate.

I’m able to withstand the attack for only a few minutes before the pain becomes unbearable, but by then he has moved to my entire body, and I know I will be one giant black and blue bruise when this is over.

At some point Ethan delivers a hit to my temple again, and everything blacks out.

I don’t know how long I’m out this time, but I’m woken by my legs being yanked open and the cool edge of a knife skating against my skin.

I stay frozen in pain and fear as cold air rushes against my pantie-covered core, and I realize my shirt has also been cut away.

I try to open my eyes to see what is going on, but my left is swollen shut and my right barely budges, but I can see Ethan kneeling in front of me.

Every worst-case scenario flashes through my mind as he stares at the apex of my legs.

He hasn’t realized that I’m conscious yet, so I take the time to take stock of the damage.

Where it was just my head earlier is now my entire being, down to my hair follicles.

Okay, Ali, not the end of the world. You can still feel pain, which means you are alive. Which means you can fight.

Without warning, I watch in horror as Ethan suddenly shoots forward and shoves his face between my legs.

He takes a deep inhale before pulling back and sighing.

“Fuck. I knew you would be sweet. I can not wait to have you all to myself, begging me to fuck you senseless.” So much for pretending to still be knocked out as my entire body bucks in disgust. “Ahh, there she is.” He chuckles before standing and sliding his fingers across my cheek.

He turns and heads back for the table to grab a new knife and returns to stand in front of me.

“I’m sorry I lost my temper earlier, Princess, but all this will heal.

In the meantime, let’s discuss this deal.

I was promised you wouldn’t be harmed as long as your new little friends were dead, so I need you to tell me where they are.

The quicker we deal with all this nonsense, the quicker we can move past the past and start a future.

What do you say?” He twirls the knife in his hand before pointing it at me in question.

I take a moment to swallow all the blood coating my mouth before giving Ethan a small nod. “Good girl. I knew you would choose your life over theirs. So where are they?” He bends down, his face getting close to mine as I croak out my answer.

“Go. Fuck. Yourself.” And then I pull back and headbutt the fucker, laughing as he stumbles back, landing on the dirt floor, not expecting the hit. Glaring up at me, he wipes the blood I left on his forehead off before he climbs to his feet.

“I really wish you chose the easy way, but don’t worry, Princess, you will come around. I’ll make sure of it. Now night, night.” I saw the next hit coming and embraced it like a lover’s kiss.

This time it’s the burning pain that has me jerking awake.

“Hold her down, I’m almost done.” Hands grip my arms and legs as a burning sensation runs across my thigh.

I scream out like my flesh is being ripped open as Ethan barks out a new order.

“Give her a sedative already.” In the next moment there is a pinch in my neck, but the burning in my thigh continues.

“Hand me the tracker. Once I finish dropping her off at that gym, I’m sure they will know who to connect with to get her back to the targets. ”

That’s the last thing I hear before the pain disappears and my mind goes blank once again.