Page 35 of Savage

“You know how much I enjoy the game,” he tells me with a smile as sinister as the look in his eye. “Why would I kill you when I can make you suffer.”

I learned a long time ago just how sadistic Bane can be. It was a mistake to come here, but I didn’t want him going after Rayne. I know that’s what he would have done.

“What are you going to do to m-me?” The break in my voice makes me wince, and I know he’s enjoying taking control of the situation. He’s having fun with me, toying with my anxiety and fear.

“It’s not just Bane who’s interested in you, darling,” the soft, feminine voice coming from the doorway steals my attention.

The woman who enters the room is exquisitely dressed in a tailored white pants suit. The last time I saw her she was passed out in the back of our car. I watch as she walks over to Bane.

“We only met briefly at the gala, just before you and your friends abducted me, so I’ll introduce myself again. I’m Rae Atwood, Rayne’s mother.”

She settles into the second wingback chair, and as the pair of monsters sit side by side and watch me, I realize their relationship is far from platonic. There’s a lot more going on here than we ever contemplated.

“I know who you are, and you know who I am. Let’s skip the pleasantries and just get on with whatever you plan to do to me.” I lean forward as I speak, my arms resting on my thighs.

I’m exhausted. Last night was tense, and when I finally fell asleep, it was well after one in the morning. When I woke at four, I saw the message. Instead of waking Dante and Rayne, I spent more than an hour warring with myself as to what to do before finally deciding to go to meet Bane alone.

“You misunderstand my intention, darling,” Rae says to me. “I was hoping that bringing you here would entice my daughter to pay me a visit. I didn’t feel overly welcome in your home.”

“You forced me to come here by threatening to hurt Rayne and Dante if I didn’t, but now you’re telling me you did it because you want her here.” Something doesn’t add up. Why would Mrs. Atwood use a plan that makes no sense? “You could have just contacted her directly. You must know she wants to see you.”

“But where’s the fun in that?” As this elegant, evil woman replies, she leans her head to the side, and the corners of her mouth tip upward into a grin that has my gut twisting. “I want her to hurt.”

“Why would you want to hurt your own flesh and blood?” It’s something that’s been bothering me. I want to know the answer.

“You see,” she starts. “When I was young, barely sixteen, I was stolen from my home by my uncle. He thought he could swindle my father out of the family fortune. He kidnapped me and held me hostage.”

“And that turned you into a monster?” I challenge her.

They’re going to hurt me whatever I say or do, so I might as well get my punches in where I can.

Rae smiles. “I realized, from an early age, you can get whatever you want in this life if you’re willing to do whatever it takes to get it.” She gracefully crosses her legs. Her poise is astonishing. “My uncle taught me the true value of family—it’s worthless.” Her words are scathing as she continues, “He raped me. That’s how the twins were conceived. They were nothing more than an unwanted burden that came about through pain. I wanted them to experience the same agony I did.”

I wasn’t expecting her to tell me that Rayne and River were the product of rape. That will be unwelcome news for them to hear.

“You see, Harper,” she continues. “My choices were taken away from me as a young girl, and I wanted my children, and others like them, to suffer a similar fate.”

The woman in front of me isn’t human. As I stare at her, I visualize her walking into Hell alongside the devil. That’s where she belongs for the pain she’s caused to so many innocent children all over the world, including her own son and daughter.

“You don’t have to harm others because you’ve been hurt,” I tell her. “Granted, you’ve suffered in the past, but deciding to do bad things is a choice. And that makes you evil.”

This causes her to laugh out loud. The sound rings in my ears. When I was a child, I used to watch movies that had evil villains, and this woman is the epitome of the very worst of those characters.

“I may be evil, but I’m slowly healing from the pain and heartbreak I endured. And my children are recovering too. I see River is doing well for himself.”

So, she has been keeping tabs on them. She’s not entirely forgotten about her twins. And that makes me wonder if she feels something for them.

“And it seems my daughter’s happy too. Now she’s found you and the Savage boy,” she adds.

“So, what is your plan now you’ve got me here?” I ask, instead of taking the bait she’s offering.

I have a feeling she wants me to talk about Rayne. She wants to get to know the person her daughter’s become. She won’t get the chance to find out, though, because I refuse to tell her anything and her daughter won’t be coming here. Dante and Rayne don’t know where the fuck I am, and that’s fine with me. The farther away they are from here, the better.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t plan this thoroughly?”

With a wave of her hand, she gestures for me to turn my head, so I’m facing the open doorway that leads out into the entrance hall. From where I’m sitting, I can see four thugs, dressed in black suits, entering the house. They are struggling to carry the pretty blonde girl I left asleep in bed beside Dante.

I’m on my feet in seconds. My hands fist at my sides as I pin Rae with a glare. I’m not sure what they’ve done to Dante, or where he is, but I can see bruises forming on Rayne’s legs. They’ve hurt her. My blood is burning hot with rage.

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