Page 173 of Uprising

“Why am I here?” I say.

“You think I didn’t know you’d come?” He smirks. “Have you learnt nothing about me?”

“I wish I knew nothing.” I spit and the bastard laughs.

He gets up crossing the space and sits down in the small space I’ve created by sitting up. I take in a ragged breath, inhaling that awful scent, and everything, every horrific moment he inflicted washes over me and I tremble so hard.

“Darius…”

“What did you say?” It’s Roman’s voice, in my ear. The relief I feel when I hear it is indescribable. He’s still alive then. He’s still out there.

Once again, I just have to play this safe, survive, until Roman gets me.

Darius runs his hand up me and I jerk.

“Don’t fucking touch me.” I snarl.

He laughs again. “You’re my wife Rose. I can do whatever I want with you.” He says grabbing my throat, squeezing it enough to make his point.

“I’m not your wife.” I reply half choking. “Our marriage was annulled.”

He smirks. “It makes no difference to me. You’re not going anywhere from now on.”

“Roman is coming.” I taunt.

“I know.” He replies. “I’m ready for him.”

“You can’t stop him this time.”

He pushes me back, straddles me, and lowers his mouth right to my ear, right to where the mic is only it’s so tiny he can’t see it.

“I’ve got a surprise planned for him.” He states. “I’ve rigged all of the ground around us.”

“Rigged it with what?” I ask.

He runs his face up against my cheek. I grimace, pulling away, at least trying to but I don’t get far. He makes sure of that.

“Something that will make a nice big bang.” He murmurs.

“Explosives?” I gasp.

He smirks. “Anyone who walks through that door will be blasted off the mountain unless they have the signal to deactivate it.”

“And what about us?” I ask.

He meets my gaze with those watery eyes I hate more than anything else about him. “Do you think I’d risk you and me Rose? Do you think I’d do anything that would mean we would end?”

“There is no ‘we’.” I snarl. I don’t know if what he’s saying is true. I don’t know whether to believe him or just pray that he’s bluffing but I hope Roman heard. I hope he knows and he’s careful.

His hands begin to grope me as I whimper. “We both know that’s not the case.” He states.

I jerk, I kick out, I slap him and he grabs my wrists pinning them back above my head.

“Even if that happens. Even if you blow everyone else up there’s nowhere left to hide.” I state. “You’ve lost Darius. You’ve lost everything.”

He laughs at that. “But I have you don’t I? And I have enough funds to disappear. To go wherever I want, taking you with me.”

“You won’t take me anywhere.” I snarl.