Page 61 of Meet Me In The Dark

“Sweetheart, I will smack your ass if you do something stupid,” Luke said again.

“I think she’s smarter than the rest of us,” Micah countered. “Even me, as much as it pains me to admit that.”

For a moment, it was like everything was okay. Like they weren’t locked in a small cell, facing torture and pain and their imminent demise, and probably worse. It was like they were back at the cabin on one of the better days, teasing each other in the kitchen as Micah cooked. Or, better yet,like a perfect day in the future—one that they could have, if he wished hard enough.

But wishes were for people who weren’t Conor. The brief spell was shattered when the cell door slid open with a groan, revealing the professor.

19

Christopher looked the worse for wear.

Surrounded by guards, two on each side, the man’s face was unnaturally pale, cheeks pulled back in a pained grimace. He leaned on a titanium cane, and the usual unhinged malice in his eyes had grown to unholy, rageful glee.

Luke took at least some satisfaction in that, knowing he was in pain—and that it was Kara who caused it.

Before Christopher appeared, Luke had been rolling Conor and Kara’s conversation around in his mind. He was still pissed at the other man for his betrayal and attempt at sacrifice, but wasn’t Conor right? If it had come down to it, Luke would have done the same.

“And how is my favorite doomed foursome doing?” Christopher asked, his voice amicable and easy, like they were friends meeting up for a lunch. And not like he was planning their deaths—or worse.

“Great,” Kara quipped. “Although once again, our room is seriously lacking in amenities. Really, Chris, what’s thepoint of being related to billionaires if you can’t treat your guests appropriately?”

Luke desperately wanted to tell her how proud he was of her. How far she’d come from the anxious woman panicking on a climbing wall. How much he loved her.

There’d be more time for that. He hoped. She deserved more than a “ditto.”

Christopher laughed. “It’s nice to see your spirits so high. Will make it so much more fun when I break them.”

“You can try,” Kara countered, and Luke went rigid. There was being brave, and then there was provoking the man when he held their lives in his hands.

“We’re the ones you want to break, though, aren’t we, Christopher?” Luke said quietly. “You want to destroy our minds, our bodies, our spirits—get revenge on how we almost escaped. How we took her from you.”

Kara whipped her head around to glare at him.

Micah jumped in. “And you haven’t even had a chance to torture me. Wouldn’t you like to hear how I scream, Chris? How I rage? What would it feel like, to defeat the man who’s mentally bested you multiple times? I bet it would feel,” Micah paused, licking his lips, “delicious.”

“What are you doing, man?” Luke asked under his breath. The mind games were freaking him out, even though they weren’t directed at him.

Micah ignored him.

“Ah, Mr. Feldman. Each time we speak, I can’t help but admire your…skills,” Christopher said.

Christopher and Micah had only spoken once, briefly, while Conor was in surgery.

So you’ll keep him alive?

For now.

Luke shivered.

Christopher straightened his tie, briefly forgetting he needed his left hand for the cane. He stumbled but caught himself before he could fall.

Topple, motherfucker.

Brushing invisible lint off his button down, he continued. “And thank you for the offer, but no, I don’t think I’ll partake. I have more fun games for the four of you planned. As I said earlier, I’ll give Mr. O’Connell some time to recover, and let you all spend some quality time together, before we reach the very exciting conclusion to our journey.”

“Hmm,” was all Micah said.

“Really?” Kara repeated. “Some big threat?”

---