Текст книги "Twisted Together"

Автор книги: Pepper Winters

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Текущая страница: 19 (всего у книги 33 страниц)

“Yes. I remember,” she panted. Her chest pinked, casting her white skin with the tempting shade. Her gaze shot to mine, bright and feverish. Was it the fear of where I would fuck her tonight or the martinis?

I hoped it was the fear.

“Are you drunk, esclave?”

She shook her head, hypnotising me with her blonde tresses rippling over her shoulders. “No. I was tipsy before, but now…now I’m drunk on other things.”

My cock thickened. Snipping the metal blades, I pressed the cool bite against Tess’s neck where the dress tied at the back. Her breathing quickened. She swayed, but made no move to stop me.

Holding eye contact, I cut the halter. I shuddered with longing as the material freed, drooping down her front. The swell of her breasts made my mouth water. I wanted to bite her. I wanted to see my teeth marks in her pale tender flesh.

“Dare, Tess.”

She wobbled on her feet as I trailed the tips of the scissors over the tops of her breasts, dipping possessively into her cleavage. She moaned, flinching from the prick of the blade.

“You dare me to let you cut off my clothes?” She shrugged, shivering as I did another cut. “You clearly don’t need my permission, maître.”

I smiled, deliberately dragging the sharp tips up from her cleavage, transfixed by the red welt I left behind—I didn’t break the skin, but Tess was so sensitive, flushed with blood. “That’s not the dare,” I murmured.

Her gaze swirled with confusion. “What is then?”

“How many times you’ll let me cut you.” A full body shiver rippled through my muscles at the sick sentence. I should be repulsed, embarrassed by my need to mark her—especially because she let me brand her—but I wasn’t. I’d told her the ‘Q’ sigil stopped those urges.

I lied.

I still needed the power over her mortal body. I needed to see her bleed for me, cry for me.

Her eyelashes flared wide as her pupils dilated—half with panic, half with lust. “How many times?” Rocking back, trying to avoid the ever steady snip down the centre of her dress, she hesitated. “Cut my dress as much as you want—leave me skin alone.”

I shook my head. “That’s not the dare.” Slicing again, the tightness of the bodice started to loosen, revealing the purple lace cupping Tess’s beautiful fucking breasts.

Her hands opened and closed, trying unsuccessfully to hide her nerves. “You’re not playing the game correctly.”

I snipped hard, deliberately catching the soft sensitive skin just below her bra line. “Oh no…how terrible of me.”

Snip.

It was my way of cutting into her shell, carving an entry into her heart. I pushed the sharp tip into her bra, circling her nipple.

Her stomach rose and fell with every millimetre.

My cock literally burned to be inside her. Every tiny movement made my balls tighten and snarl against the prison of my trousers. Was it the alcohol coaxing me to reckless sensitivity or the knowledge of where I’d be filling Tess tonight?

I didn’t really care if it was the whiskey. Tonight she was mine. All of her.

“You don’t ask me how many times. You dare me.” Her eyes smouldered. “So, master…how many times do you dare me to bleed for you?”

Fuck. Me.

The beast instead howled at the delicious fucking question. So brutal. So unpretentious. Grabbing the back of her neck, I kissed her like a savage animal intent on drinking her soul.

Her hands came up, pushing against my chest as I plunged my tongue past her lips, giving her no choice but to open wide and receive.

Her touch seared my skin beneath my shirt; her roaming fingertips crept up my chest, running hot along my collarbone.

Then she ripped the material, sending buttons pinging and air rushing against my tattooed torso.

Her teeth captured my bottom lip, somehow taking control of the kiss for a second before I lost my cool and slammed her backward, upward, and onto the bed.

The air flew from her lungs into mine. I pinned her down with my fingers around her throat. “Three. I dare you to do three.”

Her lips were swollen and red and so, so wet from our kiss.

She arched up, forcing her vulnerable neck into my fingers. Her breathing turned ragged. “Four. I dare you to do four.”

Oh, my fucking God, what was she doing? Now was not the night to fight back—now was definitely not the time to make me lose the rest of my fractured control.

Something skittered in her eyes before hiding in their grey depths. I reared onto my elbows, releasing her neck. “Why?” Suspicion chased hot through my veins.

She looked away, but I grabbed her chin. “What do you dare in return?”

Her body stiffened, but her gaze locked with mine. “I dare you not to take my anal virginity tonight. Give me more time.”

My stomach gnashed with livid teeth. “That’s your dare? You’re so damn afraid of something I guarantee will bring you pleasure.”

My imagination stole reality giving me a snuff movie of erotic torture.

Her crying as I slid into her for the first time.

Her thighs and cheeks glowing from my spanks.

Taking her ass with my cock, while filling her pussy with a quivering vibrator.

My hands curled at that vision. I ached to fill her with my cock and a vibrator all at once. I wanted her stretched and overly full. I wanted her to know exactly who she belonged to.

Flipping her onto her stomach, I hoisted up her skirts and snipped with silver scissors at her knickers. They fell away, leaving her ass perfectly bare, the glisten of arousal slick between her legs.

She jolted as I pressed a finger against her clit, dragging the tip through her wet folds and up to the one place she denied me.

My cock pulsed with the first wave of pre-cum as she rolled her hips, trying to dislodge my touch. She was so tight, so shy, so fucking amazing.

“Maître, please…I’m not saying no…just not now.”

“What scares you so much, esclave?” I pressed against her hole, loving the tight muscle, the blatant refusal to allow entry—so different to her pussy which beckoned with its wet, dark heat.

I’d never stop loving her taste or tightness, but I wanted this, too. A lot.

Gathering more of her damp desire, I swirled it around the puckered muscle digging fingernails into her hip when she tried to squirm away. “Tell me. In detail. And maybe I’ll accept your dare.”

Her head hung down, a curtain of blonde hiding her eyes. “I don’t know. It’s just foreign. Something I never thought I wanted. It’s not…sexy.”

Not fucking sexy? She obviously didn’t see what I did. Didn’t she know her shyness was a heady aphrodisiac? Knowing it was the one place no one else had gone. It drove me to breaking point.

I laughed, never stopping my stroking, dying to use force to break the seal of her body and take her anyway. “It’s not sexy? Fuck, esclave. Seeing you like this, wanting you that way…it’s the sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”

Lowering my head, I bit the feminine curve of her hip, sinking my teeth hard. Keeping her locked in my hold, I spread her cheeks and ran my tongue down her seam.

She jolted as I pressed harder with my finger, breaching her body with digit and tongue.

She reared upright, a moan echoing around the room. I slapped a hand between her shoulder blades pressing her back on the bed, keeping her ass high and open.

It was a good thing my cock was still in my pants because the ache between my eyes was excruciating. The need to fuck building. Foreplay was almost over. Hard and fast was quickly approaching, and I wanted it. I wanted to slam inside her and come like a volcano.

Tess’s face thrashed on the bed as I wiggled my finger a little deeper. A trail of wetness shone on her cheeks.

My mouth watered to lick her tears; her delicious salty sadness.

“Tell me how that feels.” I didn’t want to admit the chase turned me the fuck on. Knowing she was genuinely scared only made it more of a prize.

She shook her head, breathing hard. A hitch of tears broke her pant. “I don’t know. I don’t know.”

Thrusting my finger, I toyed with her ass, drawing yet more wetness from both her pussy and her eyes. As much as she denied it—it turned her on.

“I’ll help make up your mind.” Curving my back, I licked her again, dropping my mouth to latch onto her pussy. My cock felt as if I broke it in two, crushing it between my fucking legs.

Her cunt clenched as I pushed my tongue inside her.

Her face pressed against the mattress, hiding her tiny scream. “Dammit, Q. Damn you.” Her hips rocked back, surprising me as she forced my finger a fraction deeper.

I almost came.

Removing my finger, I slapped her ass.

She flinched. My eyes tightened at the red handprint painting her white cheek. I struck again, obsessed with turning her flawless skin into a riot of violence. I wanted to grant her pain. Endless pain. A dynasty of pain.

“How does that make you feel?” I growled, smacking her again. The whiskey took hold, speeding me toward a conclusion. I couldn’t drag it out any longer.

“Like I’m on fire. I’m burning for you, Q.”

I dropped my hand to slap her pussy.

Her legs tried to close, but I kept her on display. Her folds were swollen, wet, so fucking ready for me to fill. “And this. How does it make you feel?” I slapped her again, twisting her clit in punishment.

She arched, fighting my hold on her. “It makes me feel like a whore. Your whore. I want you so bad.”

My eyes snapped closed. If this woman didn’t own my soul already now she did. She was perfect. A miracle. Mine. Her body didn’t recoil from my merciless love. She allowed me the freedom I craved.

She’d given me so much. I couldn’t take from her what she still feared—no matter the turn on. “Four,” I growled, breathing rough and ragged. “Four cuts in return for giving you another night of freedom.”

She moaned loud as I hit her again—the hardest one yet. A five finger shape decorated her ass, stamping firm ownership on the woman I would marry in forty-eight hours. She may be my wife soon but she would always be my whore.

“Tell me where I can cut you, esclave.” I yanked her back, rubbing her pussy against my trouser-clad cock. “Tell me!” The scissors lay beside my knee, digging into me as I thrust against her.

“Anywhere!” Her face flushed, her lips baring her teeth. “Anywhere you want.”

Anywhere?

A slow smile spread my lips. “Où je veux…” Anywhere I want…

Tess nodded. “My legs, my breasts, my throat—it’s all yours to mark. Do it!”

She’d given me a smorgasbord of places to mark her. But I had a better idea.

Snatching the scissors from the bedspread, I scrambled off the mattress. Grabbing her ankle, I pulled her to the edge, loving how the material gathered upward, bunching around her waist.

Her eyes popped wide as I collected her in a bouquet of torn dress and netting. Arms around her waist, I carted her to the window.

Tess froze as I placed her on her feet in front of the curtain. “Q…” Understanding flashed across her face. “You wouldn’t—”

I gave her a harsh smile. “I warned you.” Tearing back the curtain, I welcomed in the night sky. Stars flickered then dulled as wisps of clouds drifted across the dark like graffiti spray. The clear night was a perfect backdrop to the twinkling lights of the street below. Passer-by’s linked arms, strolling in the chilly but romantic evening.

Only three stories. High enough to possibly avoid people watching or the perfect height for an exclusive glimpse.

“I would and I am,” I muttered. “I’m adding to my dare. You said I could cut you anywhere. I want to cut you right here, against the window, while I make you come and give the world a show.”

Swivelling her in place, I pushed her forward until her chest met the glass. Her hands came up, splaying on the cold surface. With unforgiving fingers, I tore the remaining bodice from her, fully exposing her heavy breasts.

She jumped as I cut off her bra and slammed her torso against the glass, forcing her nipples to meet the icy reflection.

Tess hissed as I forced her harder against the barrier—the only thing stopping us from falling three stories. A shiver ran down her spine.

Fitting my body behind her, I nuzzled her ear. “I think you want people to see. I think you want people to watch as I finger you, fuck you, make you scream.”

I dragged my hands over her sides to her hips, forcing her to accept a thrust as I looked directly into my own eyes.

The reflection of the lights behind us showed Tess flushed and glowing like a fucking goddess while I lurked in the shadows. Only my pale gaze was visible.

Stroking her quivering back, I cupped the back of her neck. Unable to help myself, I unsheathed my teeth, sinking into her shoulder.

Tess cried out, wiggling against the imprisonment of my body and the window. “Q—”

Grabbing one of her hands, I guided it to my stiff cock. “Free me, Tess. Then I’m going to take you so fucking hard.”

I groaned as her fingers immediately obeyed, ripping the zipper down, fumbling into the tight elastic of my boxer-briefs.

She had no fear. No terror. I’d cured her. I’d brought her back to life. I was making her live in that very moment.

The second her eager touch found my raging hardness, she shuddered, pressing her ass against me. “Take me. Give it to me,” she moaned. She sounded drunk, loose, horny. I’d never seen her look so pliant or erotic.

I groaned as she fisted me, pumping my cock hard and harsh. “Goddammit. You’re going to make me come before I’ve even climbed inside you.”

Dropping my hand, I gathered the bushels of material, exposing her just to me. I’d show the world her tits, but her pussy was mine. Kicking her ankle to spread her legs, I shoved down my boxers and trousers to my quads, leaving me fully dressed in a torn gaping shirt, blazer, and trousers. My cock was free—that was all I needed.

I plunged my hand between Tess’s legs, clamping hard on my bottom lip when I discovered how drenched she was. My little whore was an exhibitionist. I couldn’t wait to fill her, to make her lose complete control in full view of the public.

Angling the tip of my cock, I found her entrance.

Tess stiffened. “No. Wait—”

I growled under my breath, rubbing the throbbing head of my cock through her folds. “If you’re having second thoughts too fucking bad, esclave. J'ai besoin de jouir en toi.” I need to come in you.

“I’m not saying no. Just—just hide my face.” She looked over her shoulder, locking eyes. “Please. That’s all I ask.”

 I wanted to argue but rationality made its way into my sex-addled brain. She was soon to be the face of Feathers of Hope. What the fuck was I doing putting her in such a compromising position? I had to protect her identity.

“Shit, I’m an idiot.”

The netting of her dress dug into my naked hips; an idea sprang to mind. With the scissors, I cut the detailing off the dress.

Holding it up, I murmured, “This will stop them from seeing your face, but you’ll be able to see out.”

She nodded, sucking in a breath as I gently placed the black netting over her face, gathering the excess in my fist behind her head.

“Can you see?”

She nodded again.

“Anonymity,” I whispered. “Feel free to let go. Give them a show, Tess.” With one hand, I spread her dress, making sure both breasts were squashed firmly against the glass. Positioning myself at the delicious epicentre of heat, I bit her ear. “Scream for me.”

A cry tore from her lips as I drove up hard, fast, savage. She bumped hard against the window as her slick wetness welcomed me. I thrust upward, sheathing myself fully. Balls deep. Exactly where I belonged.

“Oh, God. Q. Yes.” Her fingers slipped on the glass, her hands growing sweaty with need.

My eyes fuzzed as her heat fisted around me, sending a ripple of pleasure down my legs.

The reflection bounced back to us—my eyes were dark and wild, my jaw tight and angry. No one could see me behind Tess but there would be no mistaking what was happening to her if they happened to look up.

Look up. See me ravishing this stunning creature. Be jealous.

I pulled the netting tighter across her face, using it as leverage to drive up again. She moaned, thrusting backward, meeting my cock.

The knowledge anyone could look up and watch filled my blood with fire. My belt jangled as I fucked her—I grew hot still fully dressed but I’d never been so sexually angry—so needful for a release.

She panted, loose and receiving against the window, her mouth parting with every pound. Her gathered dress protected her hipbones from slamming into the glass as I ruthlessly took her.

There was no finesse. No rhythm. It was a straight claiming. Fast and hard.

Fast and fucking hard.

The first spiral of pleasure erupted from my balls. I threw my head back, driving deeper. Tess would have bruises on top of bruises tomorrow. Her face contorted with pleasure-pain as I used her. But every single thrust, she met me. Every grunt she echoed.

Then someone looked up.

A stranger’s eyes locked onto Tess’s naked breasts, flat against the glass. I growled, pounding so hard her heels left the floor. She cried out, her fingers scrabbling for purchase.

“Oh, God. There’s someone. They’re—”

Another spiral of bliss shot up my spine. The man frowned, trying to work out what he saw, then took a shocked step when realization hit.

That’s right. I’m balls deep in this woman you can only fantasise about.

Something clicked in Tess and her need turned wild. Her pussy clenched around me, locking my teeth from the vicious orgasm building in my blood.

Fisting the scissors, I struggled to keep my eyes open from the overwhelming pleasure.

I made my first cut.

Right on her shoulder blade. A shallow, single line welled with black blood, infecting me with power and lust and need.

“Fuck, oh…” Tess cried. Her back arched but she didn’t twist the wound away.

“That’s it. Remember pain, mon coeur. Remember how fucking delicious it is.”

Another man stopped, gawking at Tess pressed hard against the window. He leaned to speak to the other voyeur who hadn’t taken his eyes off my wondrous woman.

I rode Tess like my orgasm rode me. Hard, brittle, existing in the taboo of intensity.

I didn’t have much time.

Four.

I have to finish before I blow.

The second cut was directly beside the first. A long slightly irregular line where a bead of blood rose but didn’t trickle. I didn’t taste, just let the blood glow with sin, intoxicating me more than any whiskey.

A couple stopped below.

Tess moaned loudly as they pointed upward, mouths hanging open. Her pussy rippled as I planted my feet further apart, pounding upward, chasing my final goal.

Holding the netting harder around her face, I gulped in air, driving harder and harder. Sweat ran down my temples; my heart jackhammered against my ribs, smashing them into dust.

 “Q…yes. God, yes. Fuck.” The first band of Tess’s orgasm wrenched a groan from my lips.

“Don’t come. Wait,” I hissed between my teeth. The moment she started coming, I wouldn’t be able to hold back.

I cut her again, clenching my jaw against the unrelenting orgasm gripping my spine. Sparks and tingles and a pain so bright I could barely see held my body hostage.

Tess’s hand suddenly disappeared between her front and the glass. A rustle of silk as she dove into the fabric of her tattered dress, finding her clit. Her spine bowed as she stroked.

“Fuck me, Tess.” I wanted to be down there. I wanted to project my soul to the audience below and watch Tess finger herself to heaven.

I pressed the scissors against her shoulder but Tess let out a scream. Her entire body seized as an orgasm ripped her in two.

I never made the final cut as I fell forward, burying my head in her throat as I let go—allowing the magic to explode out of me and into her, spurt after spurt, mixing our bodies as well as our fucking souls.

Then a soft snick sounded in my ear, cutting my release into pieces. The heat in my blood turned to ice and snow and sleet. A blizzard whistled in my chest, stabbing me with icicles and sub-zero temperatures.

I had to stop. Danger. Stop!

But Tess continued coming, dragging me along with her.

“Fuuuck!” I collapsed forward, slamming a hand against the glass to stop from suffocating her. I. Couldn’t. Stop. My hips were demonic, delivering every drop of come I had to give. My fingers dug at the smooth reflection as the final wave drained my balls, stopping my heart with a horrible mixture of panic and relief.

A masculine chuckle entered the sex-hazed world Tess and I existed in, smashing it to smithereens, bringing death and destruction.

A slow clap sounded. “Well, that made me fucking hard, congratulations.”

Double motherfucking shit.

I should’ve stayed on high alert. I should’ve known something was wrong. I should never have let my guard down.

Tess froze. Not breathing. Not living. Shutting down completely.

Terror filled my limbs at the thought of losing her again. But I didn’t have time to worry. I had a murder to commit. Unclamping my fist from holding the netting around her face, I threw it away. Not once looking behind me.

Who the fuck were they? The man from the restaurant? Some other cocksucker who I’d suspected following us back to the hotel?

I knew what they wanted. I wasn’t naïve to know this wouldn’t happen. Hell, I’d been tense for weeks, just waiting for their move. But planning for a future and facing it head on were two entirely different things.

Gritting my teeth, I pulled out from Tess. My body moved stiff, full of ferocious anger as I forced my still hard cock back into my trousers and buckled up. With infinite gentleness, I pulled Tess’s dress down and reached in front of her, bringing the ruined bodice together as much as possible to keep her hidden.

“Q? What’s going on?” Tess’s voice wobbled.

I kissed her temple. Spinning her around, I looked deep into her eyes. Is this the last time I’ll see her? I’d planned so much—just in case the worst happened. I’d signed my fortune to her—so I’d always know she had money. I’d wanted to marry her to give her the power of my name.

That might not be possible now.

Frederick was right—ever since I’d seen the first article on TV, I’d been fighting against time. Time needed to fix Tess. Time needed to fight her demons before I wasn’t able to anymore. Everything that’d happened to Tess was my fault and I’d wanted to undo my wrongs before it was too late.

The news saved my business but marked me for death.

Fuck, stop those pessimistic thoughts. I would bathe in blood before I let them kill me.

Brushing damp curls from Tess’s cheeks, I murmured, “Trust me. Everything will be okay.” It has to be. I wanted to die as an old married man after living a lifetime with my perfect other. Not here. Not today.

I refused. I fucking refused.

“Mercer!” Franco’s voice cut through my worry just before a fist collided with my cheekbone.

Pain. Hot spreading, throbbing pain.

Tess screamed as I fell to my knee. I shook my head, scattering the stars from taking over my vision.

Blind rage released an injection of adrenaline and I tore upward. My time may be up but it didn’t mean I would give in to the heinous bitch. I had a personal vendetta and fully intended to win.

Another punch landed on my jaw, sending me stumbling into Tess.

She yelled, “Don’t you fucking touch him!”

The ringing in my ears amplified as another man grabbed Tess by the hair, dragging her away. Hurling her to the floor, he kicked her.

I saw red.

I saw blood.

I saw hell.

Launching myself at him, I swung low and hard. My knuckles bellowed as his head cracked backward, eyes rolling with the uppercut. As he fell, I brought his limp carcass forward, smashing my knee hard into his ribcage and dropped every barrier inside.

I lost all sensation of what I did. What parts I tore, what agony I inflicted.

His scream bounced off the walls as I shed all humanity and went rogue.

I’ll kill him.

No one. Absolutely fucking no one would touch Tess again and survive. I would tear their motherfucking heads off.

“Q!”

I ignored Tess, delivering wrath like a devil-filled tornado. Punch. Wallop. Kick. I wanted to turn his body into a lake of blood.

A silenced gunshot went off.

Time stuttered.

Pain.

Lancing horrendous pain sliced into my thigh.

Sickness raced up my back, coating my tongue with bile.

Motherfucker shot me.

I roared with agony, feeding off the hot lick of fire radiating in my leg. Stumbling away from my unconscious victim, I bent over. Pushing a fingertip into the torn flap of my trousers, I found the bloody mess below.

My breath came hard and deep as another flash of pain consumed my system. My finger was torture but I found the exit hole. No broken bones. No severed arteries. A flesh wound.

A wound sending my anger ratcheting from uncontrollable to psychopathic.

“No! Oh, my God. You shot him!” Tess attacked the asshole who’d lodged a bullet in my limb, bringing a rain of tiny fists onto his torso.

Tess, don’t!

The man batted her arms away, his face contorting with rage. Tess kicked him, screaming.

He slapped her hard, wrenching her neck sideways with force. She went instantly limp, falling into his arms.

No! Fuck no. Not again.

I hurtled toward him, intending to rip his throat out but another man captured Tess, dragging her disorientated body against him. She shook her head, trying to clear the dazed fog, fighting meekly as he grabbed her breast with horrible fingers.

Glowering at me, he yelled, “Stop! Everyone! Behave or we’ll take turns with your little slave before cutting her throat. Got it?”

The threat worked.

I slammed to a halt, breathing hard. Rage siphoned around my body, making me tremble, but I embraced cold calculation.

Glancing around the room, I catalogued everything.

Five men.

A pentagon of doom caged me against the window with Franco in a bloody pile a few metres away. One of his eyes was swollen shut, blood covered his shirt, and he sat painfully, nursing his right side.

Five men.

Three with black hair and smooth blank faces, two with brownish hair and sick satisfaction wrinkling their eyes.

I didn’t recognise any of them.

Red Wolverine?

No, I did enough damage to his operation to risk coming after me so soon.

Emerald Dragon?

No, they were based in Singapore, or was it Hong Kong—either way, I doubted they’d have the resources to come to Rome—not with the heat surrounding their names after I handed over my address book of fuckwit traffickers.

So who are they?

It didn’t matter. Tonight would be the last night they’d be alive. I didn’t need to know any more than that.

I looked at Tess. Her eyes were clear, blazing with anger. Her fierceness gave me strength. No matter what I’d done with my life—healing her and giving her back her fire was enough to land me, maybe not in heaven, but hopefully not in hell.

I’d fixed her in time. Barely.

I would’ve been happy about that—if it wasn’t for the entirely unwinnable situation I faced. Five men against one. Franco was no use to me and I wouldn’t do anything to put Tess’s life in peril again.

“Give her to me and I’ll obey,” I growled.

The room shimmered with violence. A standoff. My knuckles hurt, needing to be lodged in his teeth. My thigh throbbed but shock worked wonders on deleting most of the distraction.

Ten seconds of waiting.

Finally the man nodded, shoving Tess toward me. Striding forward, I wrenched her behind my back. The second her form touched mine, huddling my back in a fierce embrace I sighed, gathering my wits for the next fight.

“Q, I’m sorry—I tried,” Tess cried.

Ignoring her, I kept my body between her and the unwelcome bastards. I concentrated on the best plan available for keeping her unharmed.

You have to get them to leave.

That was my only option. And I didn’t like what I’d have to do to make it come true.

“Who the fuck are you? What do you want?” I hissed.

Tess trembled, her rapid, shallow breaths hitting the back of my neck. Something snapped inside her, turning her silent tears into terror-filled gasps. Pressing hard against me, her teeth chattered. “They can’t—Q…I can’t do it again.” The edge of lunacy in Tess’s voice made my anger reach a whole new boiling point. “I’m bankrupt. I can’t afford another toll! Please. I have nothing left.”

Don’t revert, Tess. Please don’t undo all my fucking hard work.

“Get the fuck out!” I roared. “Get out before I fucking murder you!” Ignoring their guns and soulless eyes, I reached behind, crushing Tess’s front against my spine. I hated how wobbly and cold she was. “I won’t let them take you, esclave. I promise.” On my sister’s grave, I promise. “Stay with me.”

The gunshot in my leg turned from a fire to a cataclysmic inferno.

A silenced semi-automatic was pointed in my face. The man wielding it, sneered; his teeth perfect pegs of white. “We’re not here for her.”

My heart bucked. Spanish accent.

Spain.

Everything clicked into place.

Lynx.

He had midway houses in Rome to traffic the overwhelming number of women he traded in Spain. The complications I’d told Tess about all revolved around that cocksucker. Young, ambitious, with no fucking remorse. Lynx had been a personal enemy ever since he killed a girl I’d agreed to trade for—just because he didn’t like the shirt I wore to the meeting.

Asswipe. Fucking juvenile sadistic delinquent.

Tess stifled a sob, sucking back her downfall into crazy, latching once again onto reality. She twisted in my arms, trying to get free. Glaring at the men, she yelled, “Just leave. Go back to the hole you crawled out of. Don’t do this!”

A man with black hair laughed. “Do what? This?” Closing the distance between us, he swung the gun at my temple.

I didn’t think. Just reacted. Ducking, I launched. Lowering my shoulder, I plowed into his chest, crunching him to the floor in a heap of body parts.

I didn’t care about my leg. All I cared about was ripping out his fucking heart. He gasped for breath punching anywhere he could. He managed to knock the air out of my lungs, bruise a rib, kick my knee.

He was strong, but he didn’t have psychotic rage thrumming in my veins.

Tess.

Above all I had to keep her safe.

I landed a square punch, sending his fighting body into a loose pile of bones. My fingers latched around his gun, wrenching it from his hold. Limping to my feet, I aimed at the ringleader who’d royally fucked up my night.

“Ah, ah, ah, I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

I swung around. My stomach splattered to my feet. One of the brown-haired men had Tess in a vice-like grip, his gun bruising her temple.