Page 75 of Crown of Lies

My stomach drops. Fuck. That incident feels like a lifetime ago. It wasn’t even on my mind.

“But see, we started thinking. Started asking questions. And you know what we figured out?” Harlan leans in close again, until his face is just inches from mine. “That fucker never laid a hand on you. You made the whole thing up to cover for your husband.”

He waits a beat, staring directly into my eyes. All I can do is stare back. I’m damn sure not going to argue my case in front of him—not while he’s so certain of his version of the truth.

“What, no clever comeback?” Harlan taunts. “No more lies to spin?”

In one fluid motion, he pulls a gun from his waistband and shoves the barrel into my mouth. The cold metal scrapes against my teeth, and I gag reflexively.

“I should kill you right fucking now,” he growls, his finger twitching on the trigger. “An eye for an eye, right? You got one of my men killed. Seems only fair I return the favor.”

I can’t speak, can’t move. The taste of gun oil fills my mouth, and I fight the urge to vomit.

“But that would be too easy, wouldn’t it?” Harlan continues, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “Too quick. And you? You deserve to suffer.”

He pulls the gun out of my mouth, and I gasp for air, coughing and sputtering.

Harlan’s men laugh and jeer as he continues to taunt me. “What’s the matter, Quinn? Cat got your tongue?” one of the Young Killers calls out.

Another chimes in, “Maybe she’s finally realized she’s not as tough as she thinks she is.”

I stare straight ahead, my jaw clenched tight. I won’t give these bastards an inch.

Harlan’s grin widens, a predatory gleam in his eyes. “You know what? I think it’s time we teach that husband of yours a lesson. Show him what happens when you fuck with the wrong people.”

One of his men pulls out a phone, holding it up to record. The red light blinks on, signaling that we’re live.

Harlan’s grin turns cruel as he shoves the gun barrel back into my mouth, forcing it deeper this time. I gag involuntarily, my eyes watering as I struggle not to stay completely still.

The room erupts in laughter.

“Looks like she needs some practice,” one of them jeers.

Another chimes in, “Yeah, bitch. You’re gonna have to learn to deep throat better than that if you want to survive around here.”

The taste of metal fills my mouth as Harlan pushes the gun even farther down my throat.

“Come on, sweetheart,” he taunts. “Show us what that pretty mouth can do.”

Harlan grabs a fistful of my hair with his free hand, yanking my head back and baring my throat. My eyes water as pain shoots down my neck, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of hearing me cry out.

Not that I could say much with my lips still locked around the barrel of his fucking gun.

“Hey, Nico,” he calls out, his voice cheerfully cruel. “Just wanted to let you know we’ve got your pretty little wifey here.”

His grip tightens, and I bite back a hiss of pain.

“She won’t be looking so pretty by the time we’re done with her though,” he continues, leaning in close until his lips almost brush my ear. “Maybe next time you’ll think twice before crossing us.”

Harlan’s men laugh and catcall, their voices ringing out in the confined space. Someone whistles, and another adds, “Yeah, Nico, she’s gonna be a real mess by the time we pass her back to you.”

I close my eyes, my stomach churning. I can feel their eyes on me, like I’m some kind of prey they’re all eager to sink their teeth into.

Harlan’s grip on my hair loosens slightly, but he doesn’t let go. Instead, I can feel him trailing down my neck, pausing to brush his thumb along my collarbone before continuing downward.

“You know, it’s been a long time since I got to play with such a fine piece of ass,” he purrs, his lips curving into a sick grin. “I can’t wait to hear you beg for more.”

I fight to keep my breathing steady as Harlan’s hand continues to roam. My stomach churns, bile rising in my throat. Memories flood back, unbidden and unwelcome. The Bullets’ hideout. Rough hands. Pain. Fear.

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