Page 102 of The Devils Melody

Loretta lets out a strangled sound, something between a gasp and a curse, and I savor it like wine.

I walk over to Donnie, the knife still dripping faintlyfrom Chen’s blood. “Good. Don’t touch her. Don’t talk to her. Bring her up in five.”

He hesitates. “You sure you don’t want me to?—”

“I said infive,” I snap, voice sharp enough to split bone. “And you better tell your fucking son to keep his hands off her, too.”

He nods and disappears as quietly as he came.

Behind me, Loretta’s breathing is uneven now. “You won’t be able to break her, again,” she whispers. “She’s stronger than you think.”

I turn back to her, crouching again. “Loretta… I don’t need to break her. I only need to break you.”

To be continued…