Page 150 of Moth to a Flame

Lester yanks the back doors open. As I suspected, we’re in the middle of nowhere. Tall trees flank the road we’re on. Behind my kidnapper, there’s nothing but miles and miles of more of the same.

It’s a depressing notion, how isolated we are. How no one’s here to help me.

It’s a reassuring one. If no one drives by through here, the chances of my nail being run over are slimmer.

I chose a good spot for us to pull over.

That piece of knowledge is only mildly reassuring.

Because Lester gets into the back of the van with me.un

There’s murder in his eyes. “You motherfucking…”

Without finishing the sentence, he leaps inside the van. Shoves the pliers in my face.

“You’re in luck, you fucking bitch.” The metal shines even in the darkness of the back of the van. “Lucky that I don’t want you to get an infection or bleed out. Otherwise, I would’ve shoved it into your filthy mouth. Pulled on your tongue until it ripped out of your fucking mouth.”

I curse myself inwardly when a sigh of relief bursts past my lips.

“Don’t look so pleased with yourself.” His lips twist in a snarl. “I have a first aid kit waiting for me in the cabin. I’ll keep you alive long after I’ll make you bleed. You better believe that.”

This isn’t an empty threat.

Doesn’t matter.

My fingernails. That’s what I have to focus on. That’s what will save me.

And Landon. Seeing his face at the end of this horrifying road.

The pain. The torture. The humiliation. It’ll all be worth it when I’m in his arms again.

“Look at me, so scared.” Fuck if I let him see the horror that latches onto my bones. He has to attack me. He has to get the third nail out.

“You will be. Soon enough.”

I have this. I have this.

I. Have. This.

“You were probably terrified, right?” My laugh sounds as unhinged as I’m slowly turning out to be. “Miserable. Crying to your mommy when they cut your dick off.”

The blow to my cheek has my ears ringing. I bite the inside corner of my mouth, willing myself not to faint. He’s flipping me on my stomach, pulling at one of my hands.

I have to stay awake for this.

I have to make sure he’s throwing it out on the road.

The pliers go under my nail. “Terrified.”

I taste blood from how hard my teeth sink into my flesh.

“Miserable,” he thunders.

I fucking hate the part where he lifts it off the skin. The pain sends tears to my eyes that I have to blink back.

“Crying to my mommy.” He tears it from my finger, and I force myself to hear Landon’s voice in my head.

You’re strong. You’re strong. You’re strong.

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