Page 103 of Peaceful Chaos

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Once we'reinside the building, David gives us a bit of a shove toward a table where Antonio Padilla is seated. Outward appearances seem like he's flanked by his men, but I recognize them from our stay at Mt. Chaos. One of them has a gun pointed at Padilla under the table. I don't notice him until David gives us another shove toward the table.

There's a camera focused on the stage, but the likelihood that there's more hidden around the building can't be discounted.

"Padilla," David grunts. "Has our guest arrived? I've got the merchandise he demanded. I want my daughter back now."

"Well, Gerrick, aren't you an overachiever? You were told to bring the girl, and yet here you are with the assassin as well." Padilla knows much more about the arrangement than he should.

David shrugs. "I know Blackthorne hates it when his property gets away. I thought this way I could convince him to hurry the hell up."

Padilla studies the shackles on Sin's wrists and sneers. "Not much of a ghost now, are you boy?" He shakes his head. "I've heard about your work. You've been able to slip in and out of some of the most well-guarded places. Wherever you went, death followed you. It was a work of fucking art, and here you are chained. Brought down by forbidden pussy. You are such a disappointment."

Sin growls, and I can tell his temper is about to explode. David turns the gun he's holding on Sin and cocks the hammer. "Do not think I need you here. You're the cherry. I'm sure Blackthorne will be just as pleased to watch you die as he would be to get his hands on you again."

I know he's playing the part of the modern-day pirate, but he's pushing it too far. His eyes meet mine, and they close for a second. He hates every word out of his mouth, but it won't stop me from paying him back for holding a gun in my husband's face. I know it's loaded, because it's not just part of the ruse, but also a way we can have access to a weapon.

He sees the warning I'm communicating through my glare and tips his head slightly acknowledging my plans of retribution.

David swings his focus back to Padilla. "Where is he?"

A nasty grin stretches across Padilla's face. "Not here, but don't worry. If you can get these two to perform to his satisfaction, you'll get your daughter back. I can't say what shape she'll be in when you do though. Blackthorne does seem to have a fascination with Natalie and her offspring."

I swallow hard at the mention of performing. Suddenly the stage with the camera trained on it takes on a more disgusting meaning.

Padilla's voice breaks through my panic. "Do you know how much money can be made through live streaming a performance? Millions. Best get them in front of the camera."

Sin resists when David gives him a push toward the stage. There's a blank look on his face, and my heart cracks. This is too much, too close to the horrors he's already suffered. It's clear to me he isn't present anymore. His mind has taken him to a different time and place where he was used for the pleasure of the kind of sick fuckers tuned into the other end of this feed.

Padilla laughs, and the Chaos agent holding the gun on him clenches his jaw. It's clear he wants nothing more than to shoot him now and be done with him.

"If the boy has stage fright, he doesn't have to go up. I'm sure there's a volunteer around here who wouldn't mind getting between Raven's thighs even if it is on camera." There's an excited gleam in Padilla's eyes. He's hoping Sin is too traumatized to get on stage, and he'll get to watch a much more violent spectacle.

Sin clenches his jaw and moves toward the stage, dragging me along with him since we're still chained together. As he gets closer to David he whispers so low I barely hear him, "He dies."

David blinks once, as if telling him yes, and moves us on the stage.

There's a hook hanging from the ceiling I didn't notice until I'm standing underneath it. Sin is unshackled, but instead of removing my cuffs, my arms are extended and the chain is slipped over the hook. I'm too short for this position, and I'm forced to rest my weight on the balls of my feet. Even the heels don't offer me enough height to be able to put much weight on the back of my feet.

The lights are bright, but not so blinding I can't see that the room is filled with people. Only some of them are men I recognize from Javier's organization. A few more are likely David's men, but that doesn't account for the tables full of balding and overweight men leering at me.

I was right before, if we get out of here, and right now it seems like a big if, we won't be coming out whole.

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