Page 50 of Broken Empire
“Harder,” Killian commanded. “It needs to look bad. You really need to hurt me.”
I did as he said, biting down until flesh tore and blood spurted in my mouth. Killian finally drew his arm back and looked down at it with a grimace. “Perfect,” he muttered. “Go back into the bathroom.”
I didn’t question him this time. I just turned and headed into the bathroom as he ordered. He followed me in and pointed to the large wicker hamper on the far side of the space. “Open that up.”
I did as he said. “It’s full of towels and sheets,” I said, glancing back up at him.
“Yeah. It’s for the cleaners. But I don’t think they’ll be coming in today,” he replied with a wry smile. “Get in.”
My forehead wrinkled. “You want me to hide in here?”
“Just for a while.” Killian pulled a soft beige towel out of the hamper and held it up in the air.
I stepped into the hamper and curled up in a ball on top of the sheets. It was a tight squeeze, and my legs instantly began to cramp, but I clenched my jaw and endured it. It was nothing compared to the torture I’d suffered over the last week.
Killian looked down at me, still holding the towel. “I’m going to cover you now,” he said. “Just in case.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. “Okay.”
“Don’t come out until I come back to get you. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“Iamcoming back. I promise.” Killian paused and gave me a long, searching look. “Do you trust me?”
I took a deep breath. Even though I was still scared, the knots in my stomach were beginning to unwind, purely because of Killian’s protective presence. I knew he was telling the truth earlier. He would do whatever it took to get me out of this hellish place… even if he ended up hurting himself.
“Yes,” I whispered. “I trust you.”
16
Killian
I shutthe wicker hamper lid and left the bedroom, peeking out the door first to ensure no one was in the hallway. When I was certain I was alone, I headed down the hall to check out the French doors I spotted earlier.
As I suspected, they led out to a large courtyard at the back of the mansion. Beyond that was an enormous expanse of gardens, manicured hedges, trees, and multiple winding paths leading down to the river.
Heavy footsteps sounded from somewhere to the left of the courtyard. I drew in a sharp breath and crouched down, shielding myself with an accent table that stood next to the French doors. A moment later, a squat blond security guard stepped past the glass panes, slowly patrolling around the courtyard.
Shit.I was right before. The guard at the gate wasn’t the only one here right now.
I waited for the blond guard to leave the courtyard and head around to the other side of the mansion. Then I stood and clutched my arm, affecting a pained grimace. “Murray!” I shouted down the hall. “Murray!Where are you?”
A door opened, and Murray’s head popped out. “What’s wrong?”
I hurried down the hall toward him, still clutching my bleeding arm. “She fucking got me!”
Behind Murray’s head, I could see a desk with an open laptop on it. Beyond that was an array of film equipment, lights, and a hulking metal device that looked like something out of a Saw movie. The sight of it chilled me to the core—Shay’s head and limbs would’ve been locked into it and slowly sliced off if I didn’t make it to this place in time.
“What happened?” Murray asked, brows shooting up.
“The sneaky little bitch bit me to make me let go of her, and then she ran off,” I said, holding out my arm.
Murray looked at the deep bite. “Jesus, that’s a nasty one,” he muttered. His head suddenly shot up. “Wait, you said she ran off?”
“Yes.” I pointed down the hall. “She went through that door at the back. I followed her through the gardens for a while, but then she took off down a different path, and I lost sight of her behind some trees. I think she was heading for the river. Is there a boathouse on this property?”
Murray’s face was slowly turning ashen. “Yes,” he said, hands curling into tight fists at his side. “Shit.Shit!”
