Page 44 of Jase

“There we go.” He slid the strap through the buckle, and I nearly moaned as the padded, leather cuff gripped loosely to my wrist. “I think it’s best for now to leave as much space as we can. With your other hand injured, you won’t really be able to unfasten this. This way, you can slide free, but you’ll still have the illusion of security.”

“Can we? Can we just see?” I tried not to be embarrassed. If I could tighten it, myself, I would have, but I needed Jase for this part. I needed to feel this.

“You want it tighter?”

“Yes, please. Just for a little bit.”

His eyes narrowed as he watched me. He pulled back the strap, bringing the leather in to hug my skin.

“Tighter?”

It was snug, but not like how it used to be. A part of me wondered if I should stop here, but the side that needed this refused to be deprived.

“More.”

Jase paused, doing as I asked. My chest rose heavily as I nodded in approval. He fastened the cuff, pushing the tip of his index finger along the inside, assessing the tightness.

“How does it feel? Move your arm. Test it out.”

My eyes closed again. I pulled down a few inches until the cuff prohibited me to go further. “It’s good.” I squeezed my lids, gripping the strap with my fingers as I continued to test its strength. It was perfect, grounding my thoughts and emotions. It gave me something to hold to, beyond the good or bad things in my life; just as the shackles had when I’d been chained to the floor.

I opened my eyes. “I like it.”

He gave a sharp nod, rolling his neck on his shoulders. His breaths were heavier. Slightly faster. “Let’s put it back to where it was.” And just like that the strap adjusted. “Try to get some rest. I’ll see you at seven.”

Standing, he turned, heading for the door.

“Jase?”

“Yes, Kody?”

He stopped but didn’t move. I didn’t continue until he faced me.

“Thank you.”

There was no point in me saying for what. There were too many things to name. He’d saved me…twice. And that was just my life. Food, a place to stay, the silk ties, the cuff. They all appeared small, but the significance was so much more. The only person I’d ever let myself get this close to was Tiffany. Even she didn’t know my darker secrets. Jase did. We didn’t technically know each other, yet he knew me better than anyone. Literally. I had no doubts he’d dug into as much of my life as he could find. And he had found things. He knew my old boyfriends and what my mother looked like. I hadn’t even been aware there were pictures of her floating around the web.

Another nod.

My stomach tightened as the door shut. Silence mixed with the cool air and blankets. With the weight from the cuff, it didn’t take me long to drift off. Stone came back, as it always did, but I didn’t allow myself to be confined by it. I focused on the hardness beneath me, tracing my finger over the rough surface. This way, over the crevice. That way, closer back to me. A voice tried to break through, but I pushed it away.

Kick!

Pain flared over my side. I couldn’t feel it, but I knew it was there. An ache, worse than fire.

Kick! “Did I say you could sleep?”

My body seized from the assault. I grabbed the small length of chain that connected the shackles to the bolt, holding on for dear life as I waited for the next blow.

“EvilSinnr5 wins! He wants me to puree your insides.” Kick! Kick! “More money to do it harder?” David laughed. “We’re only getting warmed up. What do you think? Broken ribs? How about I cut one out. Not yet?” Stomp! “Answer me! How bad does it hurt?”

But I couldn’t speak, because I couldn’t catch my breath. His hands were suddenly in my stomach, feeling their way around, and there was nothing I could do about it but scream in my head.

“I told you your life was in my hands. Do you see?” Demonic laughter blurred as his saturated hands smeared blood down my face. “Your life. I got it. It’s right here. Tick tock, Kody. Time is running out. Tick tock.”

Gasping, I rolled sideways, flying to a sitting position in the dark. My broken hand went to my chest, the device fitting between my cleavage. My other slid free of the cuff to press to my stomach. I expected it to be warm and wet from the blood in my dream. There was nothing there now but dark pink scars as I lifted the shirt to look down.

I stood from the bed, pressing the door open to the bathroom. The light was still on, just like it always was no matter where I was these days. I needed water. Maybe even one of my pills. The aching was still present in places, and I’d fought taking one as long as I could.