Page 107 of Freeing Denver

He’s on his knees, hands behind his back, shirtless. He’s coated in sweat, and thick rivers of blood flow down his front, unusual patches of red scattered across his chest.

Oh, God.

Spider is cutting pieces of his skin off.

“Stop,” I mumble, trying to push myself up. My head spins, but I try to keep a firm grasp on reality.

Spider pulls off another piece of flesh and tosses it onto the ground. Kitrick lets out a pained exhale, panting fast, eyes wide.

“I really do dislike cops,” Spider says, rubbing Kitrick’s blood between his fingers and examining it like it’s toxic. “This one did a good job. Even had me fooled.” Kitrick groans in pain, seemingly unable to form sentences. “Now, did you warn Colt or not? A simple yes or no makes this all stop.”

Kitrick swallows, the thick column of his throat shining with sweat. He fixes his eyes on me and blinks a few times before spitting blood at Spider’s feet.

“Go fuck yourself.”

I have to close my eyes as Spider returns the knife to Kitrick’s already-torn flesh. He roars in agony, and the slap of flesh hitting the ground makes me heave. I cover my mouth with the back of my hand, squeezing my eyes closed.

“Oh dear, Kitrick,” Spider says. “You might need a doctor. Lucky for us, we have one!”

My head snaps up as Sebastian is dragged into the room by one of Eli’s men. He’s battered and bruised and shoved to his knees in front of the pile of Kitrick’s flesh.

“Now,” Spider says decisively. “There’s a rumor going around about you, Denver. Confirm or deny it for me.” He places his knife on the dining table and picks up a gun. “Is it true you killed your husband while he was on his knees?”

I scream when he shoots Sebastian in the shoulder. Sebastian shouts, pressing his forehead into the ground as he breathes through the pain.

“Fucker!” I scream.

Spider remains totally calm, spindly fingers twisting the gun in his hand. “Answer the question, Deluxe.”

“Yes!” I hiss. “I killed him on his knees, just like I’ll do to you!”

He chuckles. “My, my. You women really do want everything now, don’t you? Husbands, children, the ability to get away with murder. What a time we live in.”

Colt, where are you?How long has it been since Sebastian walked into this house?

“We’re going to play a little game.” Spider strides over to me, gripping my forearm and dragging me to my feet. He pulls me to stand in front of Kitrick and Sebastian, tugging my back to his chest and putting the gun in my hands, his fingers securing mine in place. “It’s calledWho Survives?” He chuckles in my ear, smacking his lips together as I tremble in his hold. “Who survives this night, Denver? Our cop, Kitrick. Our doctor.” He groans softly. “Or you and your baby.” I struggle and whimper as his arms tighten around me. “Only two of you will walk away. And you have my word, Denver, that whoever you choose will walk out those doors.”

“Liar,” I whisper.

He tuts in my ear. “Denver, this is my final opportunity to torture you. I was never going to sell you to anyone less than Sal Sinclair, and he’s clearly dead, so what other fun can I have? Choose, Denver.” He shifts the gun in Kitrick’s direction. “He’s dedicated two years of his life to saving women. Saved a lot of them, too, I’m guessing. Gave up his reputation and let everyone in his life believe he turned, all so he could infiltrate my home and fuck up my business. What a good guy, right?” Tears rundown my face as he forces the gun in Sebastian’s direction. “A doctor. Saved more lives than probably even he knows. Came here to save you. What a kind soul.” I whimper as he points the gun under my chin. “What have you offered to society, Denver Robin DeLuca? What good have you done?” His other hand wraps around my waist, his hand splayed across my stomach. “But what good could your baby do? He’s never done anything, has he? He was just unfortunate enough to be spawned by a woman like you.”

I close my eyes, tears falling down my face.

“Why should you get to live?” Spider hisses in my ear. “You killed your husband. Holden Hayes. Ethan Defender died because he made the mistake of fucking what belonged to Ranger Luxe. Axel is dead because you pissed. Me. Off. Do you really deserve to live just because you got knocked up?” He moves the gun from my chin. “Like I said, this isn’t going to be your happily-ever-after, Denver. I’ll make sure of it. Fucking.Choose.”

“Say the word, Denver.”

I’m thrown back almost two years. The night of my birthday. The night that changed absolutely fucking everything. When I pulled the trigger and ended my husband’s life to save my own.

I can feel that awful stone floor. The dampness that clung to the walls. The sounds of the CCTV footage as Wyatt mocked me. Told other women he loved them. Said I was never meant to be a mother.

Ranger’s voice in my ear.

His manipulations, his lies. I was surrounded by men who lied to me. Used me to their advantage.

Always taking.

Taking from me.