Page 62 of Rat Race

Fuckin’ embarassin’.

“Slowly take a step and turn to your left,” Ella commanded. When I didn’t move right away, she pushed the sharp tip of the knife deeper into my skin.

With a sigh, I did as ordered. Didn’t much like being walked around like a dog, but there was nothing to be done about it for the moment.

“You see those chains?” she asked. My eyes caught two shiny chains on either side of a grate that separated us from the rest of the maze. “You’re coming with me.”

"Don’t," Aubrey said, her eyes moving between me and Ella, rounded with worry.

My perfect little angel coming to the rescue.

I didn’t know it was possible to fall so madly in love with someone so quickly, but a little temptation had turned into a full-blowncravingfor her.

A craving to take her. A craving to destroy her. A craving to ruin her in ways that would make the good Lord shy away in fear. And knowin’ Aubrey, she’d gladly take anything I was fixin’ to give her.

I reckon it won’t be without no fight, but that’s the fun of it.

Aubrey’s lips parted, hand twitching at her side for a baseball bat that I was sure she was sorely missing now that I was in a world of trouble.

"Ella, c'mon, let’s talk about this," I said smoothly, turning my head to look at her out of the corner of my eye with one of those charming, lopsided smiles.

The girl I'd called an ally was all but gone, her face twisted and cruel as her darkened eyes bore up into mine.

The plan was already forming before she replied.

“Oh, fuck off, Weston. That shit isn’t going to work on me now.”

Make a show of it,Pa’s voice said, back and stronger than ever. It was ringing in my head, sounding strangely like the church bells back home that rang whenever a good little worshiper did God’s deeds.

They will ring for me too. I’ll make sure of it.

“I will,” I whispered back.

“What did you say?” Ella asked, twisting the knife. I let out a pained hiss.

“Nothin’,” I replied through gritted teeth.

She paused before speaking again, her distrust hanging heavy in the air. "Walk, Cam. You're going to help me open the door."

I nodded, not like I had much choice, and walked on leaden feet toward the metal gate on the far side of the room.

Water sloshed behind us, and the knife pressed further into my back, making me wheeze.

"Aubrey!" I barked. "Stay."

Not a request. An order to an unruly puppy too eager to follow its master.

I pulled one side of the chain, and Ella did the same, the metal grating sliding down into the floor, opening up the corridor beyond.

"Go on," Ella sneered. "In you go."

Idiot.The last thing you want to do is make it so that I don't have to worry about Aubrey's safety if things go south from my trying to attack you.

It’s too good. Too perfect.

God was guidin’ me.

I stepped through, Ella turning to look at Aubrey through the grate.

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