Page 63 of Slaughter

“This is not up for negotiation.”

“Avery—”

“This is your doing,” he interrupts me, rising out of his chair. Much slower than I had.

I bite my tongue to keep from pissing him off. Or begging. Either one wouldn’t be good. But I refuse to get sent to the dungeon or whatever he fucking calls that room. It smelled of blood and death. And this Avery would definitely throw me down there without a second thought.

Fuck, I hate him!

He takes his suit jacket that hangs over the chair and slides it on. He buttons the middle button and walks around the table to me. “Men will be here today to fix your window.” I didn’t miss the fact that they had boarded it up while I floated in and out of consciousness from the drugs.

I stand rigid as he approaches. He comes to a stop and looks down at me. Sliding his hand into my hair, he pulls my head back. I glare up at him, hoping he sees the hatred in my eyes.

He leans in and lowers his lips to my ear. “Be a good girl for me, Bunny, and I will reward you.”

I hate how much I want him to do just that. I need a release. My body needs… something. My eyes close, and he places a soft kiss on my neck. And then he’s gone.

_______________

For four days, Avery has left me alone. He never came to see me after he got home from work that day. And a part of me was pissed that he didn’t reward me for being a dumb bitch and following his stupid rules.

But I finally feel back to myself—recharged. I haven’t been drugged, tied down, or beaten. I’ve even managed to eat every meal, though I prefer to remain in my room. But I did notice that Marvin even gives me a little more each time.

I am, however, going a little insane. I find myself pacing a lot. And plotting. I’ve imagined faking my death. And I’ve killed Darrell a hundred different ways. I don’t have much to work with in my room; the best I can come up with is taking the hair dryer cord and wrapping it around his neck and praying he doesn’t overpower me. But then there’s the fucking drugs they give me. They cloud my mind and make me too emotional. I’m no virgin when it comes to illegal drugs—I’ve smoked pot, snorted coke, done ecstasy, and God knows I’m an alcoholic—but whatever is in that syringe fucks me up. For days. I’ve thought about doing something wrong for Darrell to pull it out just so I can try to take it from him and shove it into his neck. But not sure how far that would get me.

If I somehow manage to take him down, I’ll be left with the rest of the men in the house. And that too will not end well for me. If I get caught and end up down in the dungeon, I’ll never get out. I need to avoid that place at all costs.

I sit cross-legged in my closet with the lights off. It’s gotta be late night, early morning because I had dinner hours ago. For some reason, I find the closet the best place to sit and think. When I’m in the bedroom or bathroom, my eyes always find that red blinking light, knowing he can watch my every move. Fuck him! If he wants to see what I’m doing, he can come and find me.

I sit in silence, my mind running so fast I’m having a hard time keeping up with it. Then a thought hits me. A phone. All I need is a phone. If I can get a hold of my brother, I’ve got a chance. And I know all the guys keep their cells on them. I’ve heard Darrell outside my room on his talking to Avery and others. Maybe I don’t need to escape. All I need is to make one phone call. But what will that phone call get me? Will Preston know where I’m at? If so, then why hasn’t he already come for me? If he doesn’t know where I’m at, then the risk will be for nothing. ’Cause I can’t tell him my location. I throw my head back and let out a sigh of frustration. There has to be a way. A sweet spot Avery didn’t think of. I just have to find it.

Getting up, I open the closet door and lie down on the bed. I’m starting to get tired. The only reason I know it’s night is because I have windows in this prison cell. They fixed the one I knocked out, and it makes me sad every time I look at it, knowing I failed. They also took the chair that I removed the leg from. I guess they were too afraid I’d use the other three.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

AVERY

I RUB MY INDEX FINGER over my lips while I watch her close her eyes on my monitor. She’s up to something. I can feel it. Read it in her body language. She’s been good the past four days. Too good. She’s relaxed, and I’m on alert.

Don’t make me hurt you, Bunny!

I sit back in my seat, watching as her body softens into the bed and her lips part a little, letting me know she’s out. I turn off the computer and run a hand through my hair. What is she up to? What does she have planned? And what can I do to prepare myself for it?

I pick up my cell and dial Kayn’s number. He answers on the first ring. “My study,” I say and then hang up.

I’m refilling my glass of scotch when he enters. “Sir?”

“Sit,” I order, and he does as I say. “She’s planning something.”

“How do you know?”

“I just do. I’ve known her all my life. I can tell.”

“Excuse me if I’m overstepping, but I’ve been working for you for eight years now and not once have I ever heard you mention her.” I arch a brow, and he continues. “Women have come and gone, but you’ve never kept them here overnight. This woman has been here a week now. The first few days, she did nothing but fight us. Now she’s been silent for four days. Which brings me to my point. If she had another plan to escape, wouldn’t she have already done it?”

I shake my head at that question. “Her head is clear. Her mind sharp. She’s biding her time.”

He leans back in the chair and rubs his chin. “So what do you want me to do?”

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