Page 87 of His Other Half

As soon as he got to his knees, he slid on the wet bloody floor and went down, cracking his cheekbone on the floor.

Squeezing his eyes shut, he pushed up again and got to his hands and knees. He bared his teeth, battling the lightheadedness from the loss of blood. "You're a dead man."

The gunshot wound, the hundreds of cuts Shaw had made on Paco's body, the threats of him hurting Josie, pushed him to his feet. He weaved, slipping on the slick surface covered in blood.

"I'm afraid not." Shaw stood and kicked the chair out of his way.

Commotion filled the area behind Shaw. Two men stepped forward.

"We've got her, Askook."

Shaw motioned with his hand. "Bring her in."

Dragging his leg, Paco tried to move forward. As if sawed in half, the limb failed him. He fell. Landing with a grunt, he held his breath, needing to stay lucid

They couldn't be talking about Josie. She was safe. Tarkio members were looking out for her. Shaw wouldn't get her.

He clawed the floorboards with his fingers. Inside, he roared his rage. For hours, days, hell, he had no idea how long he'd put up with the torture until his body gave out, he'd fought to get his hands on him. To make him pay. To kill him.

Shaw smirked, enjoying his success when Paco failed once again to get his feet under him and toppled to his hip.

In a sitting position, he strained to see behind Shaw, but the man filled the space.

Shaking his head, he tried to clear the blood out of his vision.

He couldn't see a damn thing.

Flashing between hot and cold, tremors crippled him. He sagged forward, bracing his bound hands on his thighs.

"Looks like your time is up." The shadow of Shaw grew bigger.

Paco no longer flinched. There was nothing more Shaw could do to him.

Shaw grabbed Paco by the hair and tilted his face. "She's not even going to recognize you."

Staring sightless, all he could make out was a blur in front of him. He spit saliva and blood in Shaw's direction. "I'll kill you."

Shaw spoke in words that made no sense. Thick material covered Paco's head, and for an instant, he thought Shaw was going to suffocate him.

But the cloth left. He blinked, seeing better with the blood out of his eyes.

"I want her to see what we've done to you." Shaw stepped back.

Not taking a chance that Shaw was telling the truth about Josie being on the reservation, he said, "Kill me, and leave her alone."

"You're half right." Shaw turned and faced the door. "I will kill you."

Paco dragged in air, straining at the rope binding his hands. His heart beat irregularly, almost slow to the point his breath wouldn't come.

Josie!

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