Page 76 of We Will Rise

She holds up a huge bag. “I brought some food over. I couldn’t sit around feeling useless.”

I sigh, my shoulders softening toward the woman who helped to raise Camilla into the person I fell in love with. “I told you to sit tight until we have more information. What if you were followed?”

Someone steps up behind her, and I’m looking into the icy gaze of Damon before they flick down to the tiny woman in front of me. “She’s quite good at avoiding being found, aren’t you, Duchess?”

Her eyes widen, and she turns around slowly, her entire body tense as she flicks her gaze around the room before settling on Ronan, who looks like he’s seen a ghost.

But the question is, how do they know each other?

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

CAMILLA

Iroll my head back to stretch it as best I can.

The longest I ever did strung up like this was three days, and I think we’re rapidly approaching that. I’m so thirsty that I haven’t had saliva for at least a day. My stomach is so empty that it’s been in a continuous state of cramping for longer than I care to think about, and my body aches in a way I can barely stand.

Crew finally succumbed to sleep despite how hard he fought against it, but I’m glad he’s getting some rest, even if his shoulders are pulled at an angle that even hurts to look at.

I press my dry eyes closed and force a deep breath into my lungs. I’m pretty sure I have a broken rib from when Caleb was here, but no one has stepped foot inside this cell since. Maybe they’ve just left us here, and that probably wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, but I don’t think we’re that lucky.

Almost as if my thoughts have summoned them, the door behind Crew creaks open, and I flick my mask back into place. Admittedly, it’s much harder to snap into my indifferent alter ego, but I refuse to appear weak to these people. If they want to kill me, they’ll do it while I have my head held high, and they’ll never get the satisfaction of seeing me cower.

“Ever the unfeeling Mafia princess,” Charles says as he rounds Crew’s still unconscious body.

“Queen,” I correct him. “Unfeeling Mafia queen.”

He chuckles. “I don’t think it matters anymore, pet. I think any title you may have held is long gone at this point.”

“Not until my heart stops beating,” I deadpan. “Speaking of which, are we going to get on with your evil plan sometime soon?”

He stops in front of me, his dark eyes sweeping over my body in a way that makes my skin crawl in their wake. Thank fuck, I’m still wearing the sweatpants and sweater Crew dressed me in as we were fleeing the compound. Otherwise, the violent shivers that have racked my body for the last twelve or so hours would have gotten the better of me by now.

“I thought for sure a few days in here would snap the mouthy bitch out of you, but I can see I was wrong.” He glowers.

A laugh tumbles from my lips, but I don’t allow my eyes to drop from him. I know better than to turn my back on a predator, and Charles is just that. “I’m sorry to disappoint.”

“You will be.”

“Promises, promises.”

He opens his mouth to respond, but the sound of Crew’s chains turns both our attention to him. He’s getting weaker by the hour, and I’m beginning to think I’ll have to slip these chains sooner rather than later to make sure we can both walk out of here.

“Ah, you’re up.” Charles turns his attention to Crew, and I force my body to remain relaxed despite the panic that flares to life in my chest. I understand why Crew was upset with me for provoking Caleb, but I also have faith that he knows what he’s doing.

“What can we do for you, Charles?” he asks, his voice bored and void of emotion, but I still find solace in the sound. We haven’t been speaking much in order to conserve our energy, and it’s comforting to hear his voice after so many hours in my own mind.

“I came to check on you both, make sure you’re comfortable.” Charles smirks smugly. This motherfucker.

“Super comfy,” I tell him.

“Can’t remember a time where I was more comfortable,” Crew adds, and I fight the laugh that tries to escape.

Charles flicks his glare between us, but he doesn’t make a move to stalk closer to either of us. “Clearly, starvation and thirst aren’t doing anything to break your spirit.”

“Clearly,” Crew deadpans.

“So maybe it’s time we up the ante.” He walks behind me, his fingers brushing over my ribs as he rounds my body and returns with something in his hand that I struggle to make out in the dimly lit cell. “Who wants to start?”

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