Buttons and Grace (Buttons 6)

My right eye was swollen shut, and the right side of my jaw was broken. Tristan had stabbed me through the forearm, careful to miss an artery but his blade penetrated enough for me to bleed all over the floor and make me weak. A lot of my ribs were broken. The pulse in my temple wouldn’t stop pounding. He gave me a good beating, seeking revenge for all the men I killed.

I didn’t make a single noise the entire time.

I’d known what was coming. I’d known how to handle it. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of causing me true pain. The only thing that could really hurt me was my wife. And she was far away and protected by my best men.

Tristan had nothing against me.

The door opened, and a shadow appeared as Tristan’s silhouette emerged. His boots thudded against the hard concrete as he approached me with guards on either side of the door watching him in silence. Each had a gun on his hip.

My hands were tied behind my back. My ankles were locked together in chains. There was no way I could get out of this by myself, not unless I found a decent tool to get me free. I watched Tristan walk toward me and finally saw his face come into view.

His lip was curled in a permanent sneer, his long nose was hooked like a claw. His bushy eyebrows needed to be maintained, and his eyes were the color of oil spots from a broken-down car. I pitied Adelina for having to fuck a man so ugly.

Tristan stopped in front of me, his arms hanging by his sides. He had a gun, but he didn’t draw it. “You look like shit, Crow.”

I spit a stream of blood off to the side. He’d punched me in the mouth a few times. “Still look better than you.”

His eyes narrowed in assault. “You’re either very brave or very stupid.”

“They’re the same thing, if you ask me.” I wouldn’t be intimidated by this man or any man. To show fear was a death sentence. Pleading and begging wouldn’t save my life. It would only cost me my dignity just before my life ended.

Tristan grabbed a chair from the side and placed it in front of me. He took a seat, like a long conversation was about to happen. “Have you enjoyed your stay with us?”

“It’s not a five-star resort, but it’s good enough.”

The more playful I was, the more it irritated him. He knew he would never be as brave as me if he were in the same situation. He tried to exert his power over me, but he could never be successful when I wouldn’t allow it. “I spoke to your brother.”

“How’s he doing?” I projected an aura of calm indifference, but that was all just an act. I had to figure out a way to get back to my wife—my pregnant wife.

“He’s been better,” he said. “Didn’t say much.”

“Probably because he’s busy screwing your former prisoner.”

Tristan’s eyes narrowed again, and this time, it looked like he might hit me. Maybe he would lose his temper and just shoot me. But if he did, he would have no leverage to get Adelina back. That must be what this is about. He was pissed she was taken, and he was using me as a hostage to get her back. I had no idea if Cane would make the switch or not. On the one hand, I was his brother, and he would do anything to save me. On the other, she was the woman he loved. If I were given the choice, it would be hard to make the decision. “The only way you’re getting out of here is by a trade.”

My suspicions were correct.

“Tell me where your wife is, and I’ll let you go.”

I did my best to hide my reaction, but I could barely control it. He’d asked about Pearl earlier, but I thought that was because he planned to kidnap both of us. But it appeared that he was still after her. “I don’t see how she’s relevant. She had nothing to do with Adelina’s kidnapping.”

“You’re right. She had nothing to do with that. But ever since I laid eyes on those gorgeous tits and long legs, I’ve wanted to fuck her just the way you do, Crow.”

All the blood drained from my heart as it was pumped to my extremities. My muscles got a shot of adrenaline, and they automatically twitched in preparation for battle. If I weren’t restrained right now, I’d kill Tristan with my bare hands. I’d claw his eyes out before I ripped apart the rest of him, tearing off his limbs and fingers.

Remaining stoic in that moment was the hardest thing I’d ever had to do. I couldn’t rise to his anger. I had to keep playing it cool because getting me angry was exactly what he wanted. Defending my wife’s honor wasn’t the priority right now. All Button wanted was for me to come back to her. She couldn’t care less about Tristan’s sinister intentions.