Page 84 of Cruel Knots

“Not so fast, Perez,” Leon says with a chuckle. “I need to make a lesson out of you. What if there are more traitors like you lurking in our ranks? You did this because you wanted to die? Do you think death will bring you peace? I’ll show you what hell is before I kill you.”

My back hits the bars of the gate. Every cell in my body wants to get out of here. Each time Leon slides his blade along Perez’s body, the skin splits like paper and more blood seeps out.

Leon is slow and meticulous despite Perez’s screams. His amber eyes gleam like a beast’s as he carves into his prey’s skin.

The memory of the knife sliding across my naked body rises in my mind. I’m beginning to realize just how sharp the blade is. Cutting skin is as easy as running it through melted butter.

“This is what I’ll eventually do to you if you survive the blood loss for another day,” says Leon. Next second, he stabs the younger man on the left.

A heart-stopping scream rises inside the cell as the blade buries deep inside the man’s gut.

My hand cups over my mouth as I try to choke the scream that threatens to escape me as well.

Leon pulls the blade across the man’s stomach in an easy, almost lethargic stroke but the effect is devastating. A sickening, squelching sound erupts in the room as his prey screams.

Thick streams of blood pour onto his hands but Leon remains unaffected.

My heart drums at a slow beat as I clutch at my chest. Perez and the man to his right stare at the sight, their mouths hanging open in silent screams.

I squeeze my eyes shut to stop looking at the inhuman act playing out before me. If only my ears could stop the tirade of curses and terrified screams from embedding into my mind like stabs of an actual knife.

I want to tell Leon how I truly feel about Damien, that I didn’t think him to be a monster because of his scars. Those scars don’t bother me anymore. If only he’d allow me to talk...

Hard fingers dig into my shoulders, shaking me hard.

“Open your eyes, Lucia,” Leon commands. “You have to watch what happens to those who betray us.”

“No!” I shout, my vision going hazy with tears. “Stop this right now. Or let me get out of here.”

“Why?” Leon asks in a genuinely curious voice. “Don’t you want to see his guts spilling out?”

My eyes widen with horror.

His fingers swipe over my cheeks, painting them in thick, crimson streaks.

Disgusted, I push him but he stands steady. Grabbing me by the back of my neck, he smashes his lips against mine.

I beat at his shoulders and arms but he refuses to let me go. His tongue invades my mouth, sucking and licking. The kiss is suffocating as I struggle to get away from him.

The familiar feel of cold steel touches the side of my neck, freezing me immediately.

“I love how you know when to stop moving.” His hot, ragged breath fans my face as he continues kissing me. The blade of his knife traces along my shoulder and over the sleeve of my top.

The threat of being pierced by the tip sharpens my senses. The scent of cloves and cinnamon envelops me, bringing a hint of comfort despite Leon’s forced kiss. Heat seeps into my chilled skin, consoling me in the strangest way.

Painful groans fill my ears. My own conscience questions my sanity. Little by little, the weak, scared omega inside me is disappearing.

I’ve suffered at the hands of the Volkov brothers. They broke me but were slowly rearranging the pieces to build me into a mate who could fit into their worlds.

There’s only one question that remains to be answered: Can I take it?

A massive throb erupts deep in my core. Oh no, I think as Leon’s hand pushes through the hem of my top. My back arches as his searching fingers cup over a bare breast and squeeze hard.

My pussy clenches. The fragrance of warm caramels mingles with that of cloves, cinnamon, and blood, reminding me of the dark, underground chamber where I’m locked with three dying men.

Desperation and desire clash within me. A moan escapes me, blinding me to my surroundings.

Leon halts, looking deep into my eyes with a sinister grin on his face. “You’re embracing the monster in me,” he says, his voice thick with wonder. “I knew you were meant to be my mate for life.”

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