Page 151 of Tangled In Lies

“Try and get some sleep. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I know he can’t keep that promise, regardless of how much he wants to, but I nod anyway and close my eyes.

My thoughts are too loud, and just when I’m about to give up and open my eyes again, Phoenix brushes over my hands. I focus on the repetitive strokes, which slowly drown out my thoughts.

I wake up to yelling and pain.

Chapter 39

Phoenix

“Don’t touch her.” I pull on the restraints and shoot a venomous glare in Tyler’s direction, even though I know it’s pointless.

Eve wakes up from the ruckus I create, and it kills me to watch Tyler unlock her chain without being able to interfere.

“Where are you taking her?” If I thought I felt rage toward Eve before, it’s nothing compared to the plain fury I feel toward Tyler.

I’ve never hated another person in my life as much as I hate him. I want to pummel him into the ground with my bare hands until he’s unrecognizable.

He drags her up by the chain, and she cries out.

I snarl at him, “You’re as good as dead.”

His gaze collides with mine. Like earlier, he smiles, right before he jerks on her chain so hard she falls out of bed.

Bastard.

I will kill him.

I will kill him.

I.Will. Kill. Him.

Tyler shifts his attention to her, caressing her hair before patting her head. “Such a pretty pet. Come on, let’s go for a little walk.”

Eve flinches and leans away from his touch.

Tyler laughs in response. “Naughty pet.”

With an eyebrow wiggle at me, he spins and walks away, leaving Eve with no choice but to follow him or she’ll be dragged. She looks at me over her shoulder with wild, terrified eyes and mouths the three words that are simultaneously like a balm and an arrow to my heart:I love you.

“Eeeeeeeve, Eeeeeeeve.” I yank on my handcuffs, the metal noise loud in my ears.

I can’t let her go with that disturbing piece of shit.

Clang.

I need to get to her.

Clang.

What if he hurts her?

Clang.

What if I never see her again? An icy chill curls up my spine.

Clang. Clang.

---