“Glad you could join us, Tricia.”
I cringed at the way he said my name, tugging on my hair as he pulled my body forward.
“I’m ready to cash in now on all those favors I did for you.”
Cold sweat broke out on my body and fear crawled up my spine. It was on the tip of my tongue to argue but I was smart enough to know he would only punish me more if I did so.
“Not got anything to say?” He searched my eyes as if he was trying to decide what to do. “Take her in the back, Dawg. Tame her a little. I’ve got shit to do before I get my dick wet.”
Dawg barked out a loud laugh and grabbed my arm. I was hauled to my feet and dragged across the floor as I fought against him. His other hand reached out and dug into my scalp as he shoved me into an empty room. There was nothing but a bed and I increased my efforts, kicking out and expending entirely too much energy that I should have been trying to conserve.
Dawg slammed my head against the wall, and I saw stars as I heard his zipper go down. Terror sent adrenaline rushing through my veins. I refused to be raped. I’d fucking claw, bite, kick, scratch, and beat him to death with my own two fists first. I’d die before I let that happen.
Dawg was fast. He was on me in a flash, shoving me down to my knees. Dizzy, I had to focus hard enough not to pass out. I knew exactly what I would wake up to if I did. His cock rammed inside my mouth as he pried open my jaw with both hands. Furious, I scratched at his arms and then bit down hard.
A loud roar left his mouth. His fist hit my jaw and I nearly slumped over. Blinking, I scrambled away from him as his boot kicked out and hit my side. Gasps left my throat as I felt like someone had punched my lungs flat. A slap stung my left cheek and then another landed on my right. Dawg reached for the waistband of my jeans and I kicked like crazy, one booted heel brutalizing his dick as momentum carried me forward.
Pissed off, I swung my own fists. He was knocked backward, holding his crotch, and cursing loudly.
“Come at me again, motherfucker!” I shouted. “I dare you.”
Applause echoed from the door as I turned my head and found Acid standing there with a sadistic smile on his face like he enjoyed the free show. Chest heaving, I swore I was going to find a way out of here. These assholes had no idea how badly I was going to fuck them up.
Screw waiting for help. I wasn’t weak and I wasn’t helpless.
I’d forgotten that over the last six months. My grief and shock pulled me under. I was depressed, scared, and completely overwhelmed by all that I had witnessed.
Not anymore. Like waking from a nightmare, I found my courage in a dingy room in the Scorpion co
mpound. If I was going to die, I was at peace with it. That made the idea of survival almost a game.
Staring at Acid, a cruel smile twisted my mouth into something feral.
He must have known I was on the edge. Dangerous creatures recognized one another. So did the desperate and unhinged.
“Follow me,” he ordered after a moment.
I didn’t know if it was pride or simple curiosity that prompted me to follow but I left that room without glancing behind me. Acid led the way up a flight of stairs and to a different room at the end of a long hall. He opened the door and gestured inside.
“There’s not much but I gather you won’t need it anyway.”
He seemed to be waiting for my reply or a question.
“Nope,” I finally answered.
“I see we understand one another. No one else will come in until it’s time.”
I managed a nod of acknowledgement.
“You’re not what I thought,” he mused aloud. “There’s fire in you. Something I didn’t see before.”
So?
“Makes me wonder a lot of things.”
He didn’t say and I didn’t ask. What he wanted or cared about weren’t my concern. I honestly was over it. Walking to the window that led outside to the sharp drop below, I knew I was brought here because there was no way to escape this room.
“Grim is coming.”