Page 57 of His Deadly Devotion

Not that I plan on sitting around and waiting to be rescued. I will escape. Just as soon as I can actually see.

My arms move slower, trying to test the limits of my bindings. The clink of metal echoes through the room. Wherever I am, I can’t go far, unless I can figure out a way to get out of these chains. Which is freaking hard to do in the dark.

“There’s no point. You’re not getting out,” a deep, thick, Irish-accented voice tells me.

My eyes follow the sound. It’s to the left of me.Has he been watching me this whole time?I don’t say anything. I won’t give him the satisfaction.

“Cat got your tongue, sweetheart?” the voice asks.

I grit my teeth.Fuck him.Actually…

“Yeah, fuck you,” I snarl in his direction. I may not be able to see him but I can hear him. “Does it make you feel good, big, strong to kidnap little girls? Making up for something that’s lacking?”

The fucker laughs. “You know what they say? Runs in the family and all. I’m sure you’re more than acquainted with my son’s dick, since you’ve managed to get him to betray his own blood for it.” Footsteps echo throughout the room and then I feel his breath on my face. I try to move backwards, but my head hits the solid wall. “Perhaps I should give it a go? See what has the boy turning his back on his family, huh?”

Bile rises up my throat. I will not react. I will not give him the fear that he wants. “Sure, give Connor another reason to kill you.” I smile, even though I want to do anything but that.

“My son might run from his responsibilities, but he’ll be back. He’s going to see the error of his ways.” Mr. O’Malley steps away from me, his footsteps retreating now.

“What’s your plan? If it’s to kill me, you should just do it… before it’s too late,” I tell him. I know he’s not going to do that, though. I’d already be dead if he were. No, he’s waiting forsomething. But his plan works in my favor too. The longer I’m kept here, the more chance I have at someone finding me.

“These things can’t be rushed, dear. How can I teach my son a lesson if he’s not here to witness it firsthand?”

At the mention of Connor, panic starts to set in. I don’t care what they do to me, but I will not let them hurt him. I will do whatever I have to do to get out of here. To keep Connor from coming here. Seeing this.

I laugh. “You think he left with me willingly? You think I gave him a choice?”

“What are you talking about?” Mr. O’Malley shuffles closer again.

“Connor didn’t run away with me. I kidnapped him,” I explain, making sure to keep my voice firm. “You see, he found something out and was going to rat on me.”

“What did he find out?” Mr. O’Malley asks.

If I can convince him that his son wasn’t a willing participant, maybe Connor has a chance of surviving this. Besides, no parent wants to believe their child betrayed them. It should be easy enough to coax him into believing something he already wants to believe.

“Well, I can’t tell you that, but I can tell you I kidnapped him. Like I said, he didn’t run away with me.”

“You’re lying. He took a bullet for you,” Mr. O’Malley grunts. “No. My son loves you. And that is going to be his biggest mistake. I’ll make sure he won’t be so stupid ever again, though. Once he watches you break, watches you get ruined, he won’t want you anymore, and he sure as shit won’t consider betraying me for a second time.”

“I killed your nephew,” I blurt. “That’s what Connor found out. I told him I saw someone else do it. He found out I lied. You can break me. You can kill me. It won’t matter. He won’t care.”I shrug. I might not be able to see, but the way Mr. O’Malley is navigating his way around the room tells me he can.

A fist connects with the side of my face.Motherfucker. I felt the breeze right before the blow but there was nothing I could do to avoid it at that point.

“Is that the best you got?” I laugh through the pain.

“You little bitch, you think you can play me? You think I’m going to fall for your shit?” Another blow to my face.

Fucking hell.

“Why don’t you untie me and fight me like a real man!” I yell as I tug at the chains holding me in place.

“Your time will come soon. Can’t let Connor miss out on all the fun.” A third punch follows his words.

My head hits the wall behind me, my vision blurs, and then something sharp pricks the side of my neck. “What?”

“Time for you to sleep,” Mr. O’Malley says.

I fight to keep my eyes open.I can’t go to sleep. I can’t be helpless.