Page 76 of Stiletto's Savior

Shadows dance across the walls from the flickering bulb overhead.

“Water,” I say, locking eyes with Siren. “I need a bucket of water.”

“On it.” She nods, urgency sparking in her gaze.

I stride toward the work station, my fingers brushing against the cold, metal tools lining the table.

My heartbeat thrums in my ears as I grab the cattle prod, its weight reassuring in my hand.

I turn back to him. “Let me guess, you think you’re tough?” I smirk, brandishing the device.

“Yeah, I do. You’re just a little girl playing with toys,” he sneers.

His bravado is pathetic.

“Think again,” I retort. “The Commander enjoyed drenching me and electrocuting me. Time for a little payback.”

“You’re wasting your time,” he scoffs, leaning back against the chair like he’s got all the time in the world.

“Or maybe I’m just getting started,” I shoot back.

“Why would I turn on The Commander? He’s my ticket out of here,” he says, voice dripping with condescension.

“You really think he’s going to get you out of here?” I raise an eyebrow. “We’ll see how long that loyalty lasts when you’re begging for mercy.”

“You’re not scaring me,” he grins, but it falters under the weight of my stare.

I grip the cattle prod tighter, feeling the energy hum beneath my fingertips. “Just wait. You’ll change your mind soon enough.”

“Give me your worst, babycakes,” he dares, but the challenge only fuels my fire.

Siren returns, bucket sloshing with water.

Her eyes are fierce, unwavering.

I nod at her, and she lifts the bucket, ready to follow my lead.

“Let’s see if you can hold onto that bravado when you’re soaked and shocked,” I say, my voice low and steady.

“I’ll handle anything you do to me,” he growls, but I see the tremor in his hands.

She lifts the bucket high.

Water cascades down, drenching him.

It splashes against his skin, mixing with the dried blood already caked there.

He flinches, a hiss escaping his lips.

“How’s that for a wake-up call?” I smirk, stepping closer to him.

“You’re making a mistake,” he sneers, but the bravado is fading.

“No, I’m not.” I press the prod against his leg, the jolt bright and wild.

His body convulses, a scream tearing from his throat.

I watch as the bravado falls away, replaced by something raw and desperate.

---