Page 41 of Poisonous Savage

"Successful," he exhaled, that one word cutting through the tension. "Fullrecovery.Shewill need rest.Lotsof rest.ButIwill pull her out of the coma slowly.Youcan see her in a few hours.They’recleaning her now."

Relief.Sweetfucking relief.MyRosalindis tough as nails and a true fighter.She'dbe back in my arms, her dark eyes sparking with that fireI'dcome to crave.

"Thanks, doc,"Marcocut in.Heclapped a hand on the doctor's shoulder in thanks.

"Staywith her,"IorderedMarco, eyes locked on the doors behind which lay my sole reason for not burning this place to the ground. "Keepher safe.I’mgoing to pay a visit to our little friend."

"Shewon't wake alone," he assured me with a sharp nod.

"Good."Angelowould pay, andI’dbe the reaper collecting his fucking due.ButperhapsIshould save a little something for her.Shecan finish him off if she wants.No,Ijust wanted to make him hurt the way she hurt.

Anurse scurried past, glancing up at me before quickly averting her gaze.Ismiled.Letthem whisper about the monster in their midst; let them feel the chill of my presence.Onceupon a time,I’dhave fucked her, but nowIhardly noticed if she was a blondie or a brunette.

Slammedthe mansion door behind me, my boots echoing through the silent halls, a death march to the cells below.Angercoiled in my gut, every step fueled by visions ofRosalind'sbroken body.

Thedank air of the basement was thick with the stench of fear and old blood, walls whispering secrets of torment.Shit,Iloved it down here—my playground, my church.Thedim light flickered asIapproachedAngelo'scell.

Strungup like a fuckin' marionette, his skin sliced open in delicate patterns.Blooddripped a slow, rhythmic torture, a little pool below where he hung.Heraised his head, defiance still burning in his eyes despite the pain carved into his flesh.Poorbastard didn't realize he was already dead.

"Timefor your medicine,"Igrowled.Rippedthe pack from my pocket, the little vial of poison glinting like liquid sin.Thisshit was my signature, my art—death by a thousand agonizing cuts, courtesy of nature's own little assassin.

Hepressed the needle intoAngelo'sneck and pushed the plunger slowly, savoring the spread of poison through his veins.Asmall dose, just enough to light the fires of hell in his body, not enough to grant the mercy of death.Fuck, the anticipation of his screams was almost better than the act itself.

"Enjoythe ride,"Isneered, stepping back to admire my handiwork.Marcohad done well.Cuttinghim just enough so it would sting as he sweat but not enough to bleed him out.Lefthim there, dangling, a piece of meat tenderizing in pain.

Angelo'sbody convulsed, muscles seizing as his spine arched.Hisscreams clawed their way up from the bowels of his agony, raw and ragged.Ileaned against the cold wall, arms folded, a smirk twisting my lips as his torment grew in pitch.

"Feelslike hell, doesn't it?Youknow, my daddy used this on me.Ican take twice that dose and not blink an eye.I’llwork you up to it, don’t worry."Myvoice cut through his cries. "That'sthe price of fucking with what's mine.Youthought you could take her, hurt her, and there'd be no payback?"

Thepoison did its work, a relentless tormentor, wringing out every ounce of suffering.Hiseyes, wild with pain, met mine, andIsaw the dawning of understanding, the realization that he was fucked, truly fucked.

"Everyscream, every tear she shed, you're gonna feel it a hundredfold."

Icircled him once, laughing at this pathetic shit-stained sack of skin.Thestench of sweat and fear mingled with thecoppery tang of blood, a scent that sang to the primal part of me.

"Lookat you,"Igrowled, disgust curling around each word, "a sniveling bitch begging for an end.Butdeath's too good for you, too fucking easy."

Hispleas were garbled, his whimpers loud as his heart pumped the poison, cycling through his body over and over.It’llbe out of his system soon enough.AndthenI’lldo it again.

"Restup,Angelo."Istepped back, fist clenched so tightIcould feel my nails biting into my palm. "Gonnaneed your strength.Thisis just the introduction.WhenIcome back, we play the finale, and trust me, it's a real killer."

Iturned my back on the writhing mass of misery, leaving him to feel how his skin crawled while his blood burned.Thedoor clanged shut behind me, sealing him in his private chamber of horrors.Itwas time to go back to my girl now thatIgot a bit of the darkness out.

Istormed through the sterile hospital corridors, hardly stopping to figure out which room she was in.Thedoorswung open with a shove of my shoulder; the sight of her lying there, all pale and broken—almost killed me.Itwas worse under these lights, with her all clean, her hair neatly tied back in a soft bun.Itwasn't supposed to be like this, not for her.Shewasn’t supposed to get caught up in it.

Marcocleared his throat as he held her hand. "She'sstable."

Inodded, throat tight likeI'dswallowed glass.Ididn’t even give a fuck that he was touching her.Itdidn’t matter.Noneof that shit mattered.Notanymore.Shecould take on a thousand lovers if it meant they’d stand and protect her when the time came.

"Angelo?" he asked, blue eyes flicking up to mine.

"Doseone."

Marcounderstood; he always did.Hisgaze returned toRosalind, thumb caressing her hand like it could wipe away the marks of violence. "She'sgonna make it,Hunter.Gonnaneed us both."

"Fuckyeah, she will,"Imuttered, pulling up a seat.

Myhand hovered over her, inches from her skin—wanting to touch, to feel that warmthIknew was hers alone.ButIfelt… dirty.Marcomust have known because he stood and crossed her arm over her waist.He’dgive me the spaceIneeded to figure out how to love her right.

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