Page 60 of Bound to the Guard

Warning delivered, he enters a code into a panel and pushes the door open.

The room beyond holds the distinctive copper tinge of blood and the stench of sweat, all overlaid with more of that burn of bleach. I lift a hand to my nose as my vision adjusts to the gloom.

Jail cells line one wall, all of them empty except for one. Shock jolts through me when I recognize the man within. Mr. Bugrov, the man who managed the apartment building where I was kidnapped, sits in a barren cell, with nothing but a toilet attached to the wall.

My steps slow. “What is he doing here?”

“He helped kidnap Leo for ransom from the same apartment complex where you vanished from.”

My mouth drops open. “What?”

He’d always been so kind, checking to see how I was doing and asking about my family. I’d confided so much to him.

“He’d been doing it for a while, luring Omega’s in with cheap rent, then watching to see who would kick up a fuss before tipping off the traffickers.” Milo’s lip curls as he stares at the older man. “He’s also the one who priced me at the auction like I was nothing more than a piece of meat.”

A surge of empathy washes over me, mingling with the rage that bubbles up from deep within. I’m not alone in this. Milo, Leo, and countless others have all suffered at the hands of monsters like him.

My nails dig into my palms as my fists clench. I had trusted this man, and he sold me into torture. He’s a devil, just like the Doctor. “Why is he still alive?”

Milo tosses his head, his fiery braid whipping over his shoulder. “As much as it pains me to say it, we need to keep him alive. For now, at least.”

“Why?” He doesn’t deserve even a second longer to breathe.

“He’s our leverage in case we need someone to trade for Jade.” Milo’s beautiful face hardens. “His associates will want him back so they can silence him themselves.”

Unease ripples through me, but I trust they know what they’re doing.

The sound of the door opening breaks the tension, and I turn as Damien and Caleb stride into the room, dragging a figure between them that sends a chill through my veins.

The Doctor.

20

The Doctor looks different from the last time I saw him, his hair no longer neatly combed and his clothes now wrinkled and dirty. The arrogance remains the same, though, the smug curl of his lips all too familiar.

It’s clear he thinks he still holds the power here. He doesn’t understand he’s lost.

As they near, Damien stops next to me while Caleb continues forward, shoving the man down into a metal chair welded to the floor.

I step closer to Damien, seeking strength from his presence.

His hand touches my shoulder. “You don’t have to be here for this. Milo can still take you home.”

“No.” My hands tremble at my sides. “I need to face him.”

Damien studies me for a moment, and whatever he finds must satisfy him, because his hand brushes my arm in a silent show of support.

Together, we walk forward as Caleb binds the Doctor’s arms to the chair with leather cuffs and metal buckles. I shudder at the sight of them, well aware of how such restraints work so much better than rope.

The Doctor smirks at me. “Well, if it isn’t 07825. You’ve come a long way from the scared little Omega I remember. I’m not surprised, though. You were always so special to my project, so resilient. It hurt me so much when you became defective. You were always my favorite.”

With a snarl, Damien lunges forward, grabbing the Doctor by his collar. “Don’t ever address him again!” He punches him, the sound of the impact echoing through the room. “He’s not youranything!”

The Doctor’s head snaps back, blood running from his nose. Despite the blow, a gleam of amusement still twists his lips, as if he’s enjoying the show.

My heart hammers, the intensity of Damien’s anger on my behalf reassuring me of his loyalty.

I step forward to catch Damien’s sleeve and draw him back. With the hem of my shirt, I wipe the blood from his knuckles. “Don’t dirty yourself by touching him. He’s not worth it.”

---