Page 92 of Cruel Vows

26

SEAN

Ellie’s screamis all I hear as Jace throws open the door to my cell and steps inside, his hands twitching at his sides and a cruel smile curving his thin lips.

Struggling to my feet, I dip down, thrusting my shoulder into his stomach and sending both of us to the ground.

In one swift movement, I roll us, getting on top of him, my hands wrapping around his thick neck. “You didn’t really think you were going to come get me, did you?”

The veins bulge, his skin becoming a deep purple-red tone as I squeeze his throat. The bastard is going to die and as soon as he does, I’m getting Ellie and getting the hell out of here.

Jace claws at my hand before lurching up and slamming his head into my nose.

There’s a sickening crunch before blood starts pouring down my face.

I groan, stars dancing across my vision. “Fucking bastard.”

For just a second, I let go and he shoves me off him. My back collides with the ground, head smacking against the cement. I get to my feet.

Jace hurries for the door but I’m faster.

My arms loop around his waist, the momentum sending us colliding into the ground. He rolls over and pins me to the ground, fist slamming into the side of my face.

The sharp metallic taste of blood fills my mouth, and I use the opportunity to spit the blood in his face before he has a chance to get his hands around my neck.

I tighten my grip, knuckles going white as my fingers press into the sides of his throat. He gags and tries to tear my hands away again.

Noah sighs as he walks into the cell, dragging Ellie by her hair behind him. “I thought the two of you would’ve learned to behave by now. Let go of Jace immediately, or Ellie is going to meet the rough side of the wall over there.”

Tears roll down Ellie’s face as she grabs Noah’s wrist, trying to get free.

I let go of Jace and stand. “You’re a dead man.”

“Promises, promises.” Noah lets go of Ellie, tossing her forward.

Her hands shoot out to catch herself as she falls, but she winces as she does. I’m sure the combination of the cement floor and the imperfections within it jolted her wrists and scratched up her palms.

Jace gets to his feet, wiping the blood from his face. He smirks and swings, fist cracking into the side of my ribs before I can move out of the way.

I wheeze for a moment, glancing at Ellie as she almost snarls with rage. Her eyes meet mine and I give a small shake of my head.

The last thing she needs to do is get in the middle of this.

Ellie scowls at me, the look in her eyes promising that I’m not going to hear the end of this when we get out of here.

As long as she’s alive to give me hell after this, I’ll be happy.

Noah crosses his arms, shaking his head like he’s the teacher and we’re nothing more than children in the schoolyard who won’t stop bothering each other.

His lips curl at the corners. “Jace, tie the little escape artist up. We don’t want her taking off a second time. And then bring in our other guest.”

My eyebrows pull together as I stand up straight, rolling my shoulders back even though the pain radiating through my ribs hurts like a bitch.

I grind my teeth together, torn between trying to kill Noah and Jace right now or waiting for a better moment.

Attacking them now means risking other men I don’t know about flooding the room. We could be overwhelmed in seconds, and with Ellie looking worse for wear, I don’t know if she’s going to be able to fight.

Noah takes a step toward Ellie as Jace finishes tying her up.

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