It feels like unbearable minutes pass before I’m able to drag in a painful breath.
I’m hauled up on unsteady legs, and then the little air I’ve managed to get in explodes from me as a fist slams into my stomach.
I drop to my knees before tumbling over, making awful noises as I gag from the throbbing in my lower half. I drag in an agonizing breath, but it’s like my body has forgotten how to function because I choke on the air.
Alarmed by the lack of oxygen, my heart thunders. It sounds like I’m being strangled when I try to take a breath.
Calm down.
You need to breathe.
Don’t hyperventilate.
A sob bursts over my lips as the reality of my grim situation sinks in.
They’re going to torture me. All because of some contract… and Carson.
Breathe.
Chapter 16
CARSON
Breathe.
It takes all my strength to sit still and stare at the floor while Hailey chokes after being waterboarded.
Christ, baby. Breathe.
She drags in a suffocating breath, and I can hear how much it hurts her.
My heart.
“Who ordered the contract?” Admir asks again.
The second I tell him it was anonymous, he’ll kill us. If I show any reaction, they’ll tear Hailey apart. The best thing I can do for her is to keep quiet, to look like I don’t give a shit while I’m being torn apart inside.
It’s the only card I have to play right now. Every minute can mean the difference between life and death. I just need to buy us time so Alexei can get here. Then I’ll fucking kill them all.
“Again,” Admir orders.
I almost close my eyes but catch myself in time.
“No!” Hailey’s voice is hoarse, and she makes the same frightened sound she made earlier. “No. No. No.” Her words are muffled by the cloth.
Again my heart is shredded into an unrecognizable mess as the sound of her choking fills the air.
I’m sorry. Fuck, I’m so sorry you met me.
I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough to stay away from you.
I’m sorry you’re being hurt because of me.
I blink slowly, not moving a muscle as the woman I love more than anything fights for air. Regret and rage swell in my chest until it fills the space where my heart should be.
Her body is in panic mode, and she’s not thinking rationally anymore. Her only instinct is to breathe. Her throat is clamping shut to keep the water out, but her will to live takes over, forcing the water into her lungs.
I know exactly what she’s going through. What she’s feeling. And it fucking destroys me.
The dull blow as they hit her takes a swing at my soul. It’s brutal, hurting more than any pain I’ve ever felt.
Again I almost glance up. I almost move, but knowing they can do much worse keeps my body frozen.
Hailey struggles to take a breath, and my fingers flex behind my back, my wrists straining against the zip ties. I take a deep breath as if it will help her get air into her lungs.
It would take me a second to break free. They’re all armed. Ten guns. I can take out two, maybe three, before the first guy gets a shot off. I can use one of them as a shield, and with his weapon, I can take them all out if the clip is full.
I run the scenario over and over in my mind, and every single time I come up with the same outcome – One bullet and Hailey’s dead. I can’t protect her and fight them, not with Admir in the room.
Hailey manages to take a breath, and then a sob bursts from her.
She doesn’t even know why this is happening. I should’ve told her when I had the chance. Then none of this would’ve happened. I would’ve been armed and able to take all of them out before they got to Hailey.
This happened because I tried to hide who I am from her.
“Who ordered the contract?” Admir asks again.
“Carson,” Hailey cries. “Tell him.”
I can’t.
“Beat her,” Admir orders.
“Carson!” Hailey’s terrified scream kills me. It drains the light I’ve managed to find with her from my life.
I’m sorry, baby.
The sounds of their fists connecting with her skin pummel my soul to dust.
Christ.
Alexei, faster.
Suddenly it stops, and there’s only a broken whimper from Hailey.
She can’t take much more. I’m out of time.
Admir crouches in front of me, so he’s in my line of vision, and our eyes meet. “We’re running out of time. You only have…” He checks his watch, “twenty-three minutes. Your brother won’t make it in time. Tell me who hired you to kill Joseph, and I’ll make it quick.”
One word, and it will end all of this. Hailey will never smile again.
I just stare at Admir.
I’m going to fucking kill you.
“The Koslov’s. So fucking hard, even to the end, eh?” He rises to his feet. “Again.”