Page 42 of Brutal Surrender

He gives me a patronizing smile. I imagine taking a knife and carving out his lips.

“So you’re feeling better today,” he says.

Until you came in.

But if I say that, he’s just going to prolong his stay to spite me. I say nothing while I look at him. He returns my stare. Surprisingly, I win the staring contest.

He shifts in his chair.

“Dinner’s here,” Xander says through the door after a knock.

“Bring it in,” Vincent replies.

Helen wheels in a cart. Upon seeing Vincent, she asks, “Should I bring dinner for you, too, Mr. Xu?”

“No.”

Helen lays out the dinner spread, including a porcelain teapot and cup. “This is the tea with the herbs Ms. Suyin prescribed.”

After Helen pours the tea, Vincent dismisses her.

“Drink the tea first,” he tells me.

I pick up the small cup and blow on it before taking a sip. I immediately make a face at the bitter flavor.

“Finish it,” he commands.

You finish it, I want to snap back. But he’ll just cram the tea down my throat.

The flavor is so strong, I doubt holding my nose will help. I take a small sip.

“The tea will nourish you and help you regain your strength,” he explains.

“And why should I do that?” I ask. “So I can be a better whore for you?”

“I thought you wanted to kill me. You’ll need your strength for that.”

As if there will actually be such an opportunity. But maybe he’s right. If I should be so lucky, I’ll want my wits and strength.

“Unless you don’t really hate me,” he says.

“Don’t let my being in heat and susceptible to any Alpha I come across mislead you,” I assure him.

He tilts his head as he regards me. “You gave up on your intent to kill me rather quickly. Either your hate doesn’t run deep or you lack resolve, patience, and persistence.”

I can’t believe this insufferable son of a bitch is questioning my hate and determination!

I don’t want to admit that his torture tactics had actually worn me down, so I reply, “I didn’t know the pills I took could be deadly. Trust me, I hate you. I loathe you. If I could do nothing else for the rest of my life but watch maggots consume your decaying body, I would be happy. Ecstatic.”

“Then you’re a quitter.”

I want to throw the tea into his face, but it’s not scalding enough to do enough damage.

“If you had to go through all that I did, you’d do better?” I challenge.

His gaze hardens. “If I wanted to kill the people who took my loved ones, I’d go through anything to accomplish it.”

He speaks with such conviction, I believe him.

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