Night Giant’s grin is cruel. “But what fun this could be. I’ve always thought Mitch here looked just like his brother did at this age.” He roves a free hand over Mitch’s bare stomach. “The training would have to start all over again and I’ve just put too much time into my little pet. Right, Caught?”
A full-bodied shudder quakes through me. “Let him go.”
“Sorry,” Night Giant says, “I couldn’t hear you. Your whispers don’t do shit for me, Caught. You know I prefer your screams.”
I struggle to breathe. If it weren’t for Cove’s fierce presence, I’d probably pass out. Sweat trickles over my brow and the knife in my slick hand feels slippery.
“Let Mitch go,” Cove growls. “You want Dragon, so take him. Let the kid go.”
Night Giant digs his grip into Mitch’s ribs, wrenching a pained howl from him that’s smothered by the tape. “Someone grew some balls since he last got on his knees for me. Tell me, little shit starter, do I need to cut them off to make you behave?”
Bile claws up my throat, burning me in the process. I wish I really were a dragon so I could breathe the fire out of me and burn the motherfucker who has my brother in his wicked talons.
“What we’re going to do,” Night Giant says in a commanding voice that makes my skin crawl, “is we’re going to take a walk. Outside.”
Outside is good.
There’s a slew of badass bikers in hiding out there.
Copper or Filter could probably blow Night Giant’s big head off his shoulders if given a fraction of a second.
“Fine,” I grit out. “Let Mitch go and we’ll go with you.”
“Not yet,” Night Giant barks out. “Move your asses and stay where I can see you.”
Cove tugs on the sleeve of my shirt. “Come on.”
I follow after Cove, hating the idea of having Night Giant at my back. My brother whimpers and sobs, breaking my heart into a thousand black shards of glass. I want to save him—to hug him to me. I’ve let this monster take so much away from me and I’m desperate to take it all back.
“Walk to the end there and hang a left. There’s a door. Wait for me,” Night Giant instructs from behind me.
Fury wars with my fear of this man. I hate that he still has a hold over me. I’m blasted with memories of his touch—mostly brutal and sometimes almost loving. I’d been sickened into believing that maybe one day he’d just forget to torture me and just once take care of me. He told everyone, after all, I was his favorite.
But every time ended in pain. Horror. His taking what I didn’t want against my will. My throat feels as though it’s closing. Each breath is labored and my knees nearly buckle with each step.
Why am I willingly here again?
For Mitch.
Save your brother, man.
Tears sting my eyes and I know I’m losing the inner battle. I have to just hang on until Mitch is safely in the protection of Koyn and the other Royal Bastards. So close. I can do this. I can hang on until we trade him off.
Then what?
Then he’ll have me and Cove.
Cove. Cove. Cove.
Cove is mine.
Anger rears its ugly head, chasing away the shadows of fear creeping up on me. I harness that fury, stoking each flame of hatred with memories of Night Giant’s cruelty. If he touches one hair on Cove’s head, I’ll slaughter him. I have to.
We reach the door to the outside. Night Giant instructs Cove to open it.
“You, behind us,” Night Giant tells Cove. “Caught, I want you walking ahead. I prefer that view of you.”
I snap my eyes shut, flooded with a memory of him beating my bare ass with his belt. Choking down the disgust, I try to breathe and remember the plan.
Trade us for Mitch, then attack.
Easy.
On shaking legs, I walk past him and along the side of the building where he gestured. The Mississippi River is close as this factory must have been used at one time to ship the containers up and down the US. I can feel eyes on us and wonder who has Night Giant in his crosshairs. It makes me nervous, though, because if they take the shot, who’s to say they wouldn’t miss and hit Mitch or Cove…
I gag and stumble over my boots. Night Giant rumbles out a hateful laugh from behind me. We walk until we reach a dock. A tugboat bobs at the end, thumping against the dock with each ripple of the water.
Uneasiness settles in my gut.
“Get on the boat, Caught,” Night Giant growls.
“You promised to give Mitch up,” Cove bites out from behind us. “So do it already.”
Night Giant scans the property, a menacing glare on his face. “They’re fucking everywhere. I knew you couldn’t come alone.”