Page 121 of Wrapped in Their Arms

“They must have been the ones he bought before us,” he snarled.“Thatsick fuck!”

“That’s exactly right,”Brightsaid grimly.“Hebuys smaller humanoids and makes them do porn—which he sells for an outrageous profit—and then he kills them and eats them.”

“Wellthemis going to beusif we don’t get the fuck out of here,”Burngrowled.“AndImeantonight.Wehave to get away—but how do we get the fucking key?”

Noelle had been breathing deeply, clearly trying to stop crying.Nowshe lifted her head.

Her expression had changed,Burnthought.Somethingflickered through her eyes—something sharp, desperate, and determined.

“I think…Imight have an idea,” she whispered.

Burn stared at her.

He didn’t know what she was thinking but he hoped—Gods, he hoped—that whatever plan she was about to share would be enough to keep them alive.

Because if it isn’t, the three of us are going to end up hanging in that freezer,he thought grimly.

66

BRIGHT

Bright paced the length of the bare, cold floor in his room, the threadbare rug doing little to muffle his footfalls.Backand forth, back and forth, his mind spinning like a cyclone.

Any moment now.He’sgoing to call us—Ican feel it.

They had a plan,Goddesshelp them.Itwas risky, but it was the only chance they had.

It’s not perfect.Thereare so many things that could go wrong.Butif we don’t try, we’re fucked anyway.We’llend up like thoseSaurians—strung up, bled dry, and butchered like cattle.

His stomach churned at the memory ofNoelle’stear-streaked face, her voice shaking as she told them what she’d seen in the meat locker.

Burn’s expression when she said it had turned to solid stone.Brighthad never seen his best friend look like that before—not even during battle.Thatwas the face of a male who’d just learned what kind of monsters they were dealing with.

AndBrightknew he’d been wearing the same look himself.

He stopped pacing for a moment, placing both hands on the cold wall, head bowed.

This is it.Nomore time.Nomore waiting.Weeither do this now… or die.

As if summoned by the thought, the grating, mocking voice echoed down the hallway like nails on metal.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are!It’stime for fun time in the play room, piggy-wigs!”

Bright closed his eyes and let out a long, controlled breath.

Showtime.

His hand didn’t shake when he reached for the door handle, but every muscle in his body felt tight enough to snap.Heopened the door slowly, stepped out—and saw them both—BurnandNoelle.

They emerged from their rooms at the exact same time, as though pulled by the same string.

Burn’s dark golden eyes met his, grim and unflinching.Noelle’sgaze darted between them, wide and haunted, but there was resolve in the way she held herself—wrapped in the black lacy dress like armor, barefoot and pale, but brave.

The three of them exchanged a look—a single shared heartbeat.

We’re doing this,the look said.Thisis it—our only chance.

ThenThuneappeared.