Page 92 of Entombed In Sin

But, according to our source, he has a few trusted individuals from his time on the police force who help him from time to time. With no way of knowing what that help is, we have to be extra cautious. That’s the reason we haven’t made a move yet. Even now, with Angel Eyes having taken off to who knows where, we have tread lightly.

Still, I’m tired of waiting. I think I’ve finally found the limit of my patience.

“Let’s move a few more times,” Thatcher says after a moment. “Then we’ll get out and split up. I’ll come in through the back door. Do you think you can climb the dead tree to the right of the house? Curtains are drawn in the house across the street and right next door. You shouldn’t be seen.”

“Even if I was, I don’t give a fuck. I’ll kill them too,” I growl between my clenched teeth.

Thatcher takes a deep breath to steady himself before he lets it go. When his lungs have emptied, he says, “Remember, our first priority is to?—”

“I fuckingknow, Thatcher,” I snarl. “I’m going to get our sister and our fucking boyfriend out of there, no matter what. But I’m going to kill that bitch if she gets in my way. Then I think we should wait for that bastard to arrive home and we should gut him, too.”

31

BEATRIX

Igag into the bucket I’ve been given to relieve myself.

The dinner I’d refused to eat after Ronald had his way with me had been shoved down my throat until most of it was gone. It was a waste of energy on their part. How could they possibly expect me to keep anything down after what he did to me?

My back tenses and my insides clench hard.

The rest of my dinner comes up and hits the bottom of the bucket. I choke back a groan as I roll onto my knees.

“She’s a shit cook. If I had a gag reflex, I’d make myself throw up too,” Knox says from across the room.

I don’t say anything to that. I’m so full of rage, I can’t speak. The space between my legs burns and I can feel… I shove the thought of what’s inside me away. I’ve tried pushing it out by bearing down, and when that didn’t do much, I’ve tried using my fingers. But I know Angel Eyes is inside me. I can feel him there.

My body jerks forward and I dry heave into the bucket.

I thought I could wait, bide my time until the opportune moment arose and I’d get us out of here. But I can’t keep doing this. Ican’t. I’m on my feet in the next breath. My breathing comes in ragged gasps as I turn around and stare at the metalplate on the floor. That last screw hasn’t moved. It’s rusted into place. It hasn’t budged, no matter how much I’ve played with it.

I won’t let that stop me. I won’t let these chains hold me back from killing the two people under this roof. I don’t even care about escaping. I just want fucking revenge. Angry tears spill down my face as I grab hold of the chains.

“Beatrix?” Knox calls out.

I ignore him as I yank on the chains. They rattle and the metal plate groans. Nothing more happens. Fury straightens my spine and I tug again. Again the plate moans in protest. The two loose screws pop away from the floor. All that’s left is that single rusted screw. The one that won’t budge. Gritting my teeth, I yank and yank and yank at my chains. I throw all my weight into each tug.

I don’t realize I’m shrieking and screaming my rage until my throat begins to hurt. How long have I given voice to the turmoil inside me? It doesn’t matter. If I could, I would scream until the house fell down.

With each tug of the chain, my determination grows. I won’t let this defeat me. I have three men in my life who want me, who have brightened up the constant darkness, and who adore me. I won’t give that up. Not without a fight.

“Come. The. Fuck. ON!” I bellow, throwing all my weight back.

The plate pulls away with a loud clang, landing by my feet. I stumble a little without the lack of tension to hold on to, but I quickly regain my balance.

“Well shit. I didn’t know you were She-Hulk!” Knox says with a whoop of delight. “Way to go, Shining Starr.”

I stare at the square, rusted piece of metal while I stand there panting. Before victory can balm my rage, the basement door opens. My spine straightens. On the other side of the room, I can hear Knox swear under his breath. Oh crap, now what? I’mfree, but I have no weapons or plan. I can’t get caught like this. They may keep me strapped down for good if they think there’s a chance I could escape.

I make up my mind quickly as the soft footsteps begin to descend the stairs. I swoop down, grabbing the plate, and placing it back where it had been. I kick the loose screws away from me and pray Shannon doesn’t notice them, or the way the plate isn’t sitting flush against the floor anymore.

I stand just as she gets to the bottom of the stairs.

“Hey, Beatrix, I brought some brownies,” Shannon says cheerfully. I can hear the sound of her feet as she moves toward me. “I figured they would cheer you up a bit. I read that stress can make it harder to get pregnant or cause miscarriages. If I can, I want to make this the smoothest pregnancy ever.”

My vision tunnels onto the plate at my feet. With my back facing Shannon, she can’t see my expression, so I don’t bother to school it. My brows slam together and my heart starts to race once more. She’s a monster. A bitch. A fuckingasshole. My mind roars with rage at the injustice of all that has transpired. Of what she’s doing to me.

“She doesn’twantto be pregnant, you fucking twat,” Knox says with ice in his voice. “So no matter what you bring down here, nothing will make this situation any better.”

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