Page 196 of Steel

I open my mouth to tell him to go fuck himself, but pain ricochets across my face.

Fuck him.

He’s going to hurt me anyway.

My body jerks against the chains as he runs the torch along my jawline.

This time, I don’t bother holding in my vomit. It rolls up my throat as agony and the scent of burning flesh—my flesh—collide. Wet splashes of vomit land on Killer, coating him in the putrid scent.

I laugh weakly. “Oops.”

His backhand catches me so quickly, I’m momentarily stunned. “Nasty bitch,” he snarls.

Darkness coats his facial features. Whatever monster was lurking under the surface is making its appearance, and it’s the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen.

Killer tosses the blowtorch to the floor and steps off to the side of me. I follow him warily with my eyes. He grabs a big controller and smacks his hand against the green button. A loud whirring starts a few seconds later, and the chains around my ankles tighten.

Another Night Skulls member comes to stand on my other side and works to lift my chained hands from the hook. The mechanism whirs louder as my body moves with it.

With dawning horror, I realize they’re flipping me upside down. I struggle in earnest against the man’s hold, but he simply tightens an arm around my neck, cutting off my air.

He guides my body as the chain mechanism flips me upside down. My heartbeat speeds up until it’s galloping in my chest as if it’s in some race to win.

Killer lowers me until the water soaks the top of my head. My breathing turns shallow at the implication of what’s to come if I don’t give him what he wants.

Oh, god, I’m going to die today.

I thought I was ready for it.

Killer squats next to me as the other guy takes his spot at the button. Killer sticks his hand in the water and brings some out inhis cupped palm. He slings it at my face, and a cry rips from me as the cold water hits the burns he inflicted.

Fucking salt water.

Tears fill my eyes and leak over. “What do you want?” I beg, even though I already know.

“Tell me about the club. Where would they put the pictures? That’s who you gave them to, correct?”

“I don’t know,” I cry honestly.

He clucks his tongue and shakes his head. “That’s too bad.” He nods at the other guy, and I’m lowered into the water.

I barely have time for a small breath before my head is submerged. I try to keep my breathing under control, remembering some of the lessons from my younger years. As the burn settles into my throat from being unable to draw in air, I thrash around, trying to get my head above water. Black spots dance in the corners of my eyes as my oxygen depletes.

Visions fly through my mind.

Lyric.

Steel.

My brothers.

The little sister we’ve just found.

They flash by quickly, allowing me a few seconds to see the people I love one last time before my lungs cease to work.

Just as my sluggish body stills, I’m lifted from the water. Sucking in huge gulps of air, I choke as my lungs struggle to expand.

“Tell me what I want to know.”

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