Page 63 of Inked Desires

Fear becomes panic. The monitor beside me spikes—Jace can see how fast my heart is beating.

This man… isn’t the man I loved. He’s a stranger.

“I don’t remember anything,” I whisper, grasping his hand around my throat.

He tightens his grip.

“You’re hurting me, Jace,” I plead, trying to pry his fingers off.

“Before I leave,” he murmurs, lips brushing my ear,“I’m going to make sure youneverremember anything again.”

A sickening shiver spreads through me.

“What does that mean?” I manage to ask, just before he squeezes hard enough to cut off my air.

“I wish I had more time with you. Maybe I would’ve fucked you one last time. Too bad we’re in a rush.”

My eyes widen. My arms flail. I finally grab his forearm, but he’s immovable. I fight, gasping for air, but nothing comes.

My vision starts to blur at the edges. Everything dims.

He stares straight into my eyes, waiting.

And that’s when it hits me—of course he’s waiting.

He’s waiting for me to die.

Jace doesn’t want to scare me.

He wants tokillme.

I look desperately toward the door.

But it stays closed.

No one comes.

I only remember the boy who used to stay up late helping me learn the language of this country. I remember a Jace who took me to dinner and walked me to my door like a gentleman.

Now he’s become a monster.

I let go.

Everything fades to black.

I die.

Again.

ARÈS

After an endless debate, we finally hit the road toward South Dakota in the late afternoon. We agreed to scout the area before finalizing our plan.

Behind us, over eight hundred miles and fourteen hours of driving—because those idiots insisted on stopping to eat. We could’ve saved an hour if this team of soft-hearted cowards hadn’t acted like such wimps.

The closer we get to our destination, the more restless I become. As far as I’m concerned, the best plan is still to walk into that damn office, point my gun at Jace, and shoot him right between the eyes. Kiran calls it a“suicide mission.” So what? At least I wouldn’t die for nothing.

The car comes to a stop. Ahead of us, a hill. Behind, nothing but endless plains. A second car pulls up beside us.