Page 69 of The Devil Within

I don’t have to fake my smile anymore. A twisted sense of satisfaction fills my core as I think about that incompetent fucking cop on the stand bumbling through my questions.

“You’d think at some point, the police of this town would get less lazy and stupid, but that never seems to be the case,” I drawl before taking another swig of my cold beer. I’m not usually a beer guy, but they are. And when you’re a monster like me, finding small ways to fit in is the key to hiding in plain sight.

“I’ve heard they have someone new down at the squad. Some female cop recently turned detective. She’s supposed to be a real bloodhound, never lets things go once she’s on to something,” someone down the table says.

My phone buzzing in my pocket pulls my focus from the conversation. I can only take so much shoptalk anyway. I try to avoid these weekly bar sessions, but occasionally I have to make an appearance to save face. I told my girls I’d be late tonight. Ihatebeing late. I’d much rather be balls deep in their tight cunts than listening to these assholes. I’m certain my girls are the ones texting me, needing to show me what I’m missing out on. I barely contain a growl as I think about the two of them curled around each other like twisting serpents, writhing and whirling around each other while I’m stuck at this fucking pub. Looking down, my guess is confirmed. One new media message from Liv. I absolutely will not be opening that message in here.

Holding up my phone to everyone as if it’s some sort of evidence, I loudly inform them, “Well that’s the old ball and chain. I have to head out.” I share a sheepish grin to really sell the charade.

I fucking hate that saying. If anyone’s going to end up in chains it will definitely be my sweet little sub and not me, but all the faces around the table nod at me in understanding. Pats on the back, raised glasses, and farewells follow me as I leave the pub and head out into the cool evening air. Spring is right aroundthe corner, meaning the air isn’t as bitter but the rain is still persistent. I pull my collar up around my neck before jogging swiftly to the Audi.

Pulling the door open, I duck inside my car. The soft sound of rain against the roof fills the tight confines as I settle myself in against the smooth black leather seat. I slide my phone back out and pull up my message thread with my girl. Settling in, the leather squeaking against my wet wool coat, I press play and my veins immediately fill with icy rage.

Will’s face fills the screen. His smug sneer looks back at me from my phone and my heart plummets into my fucking stomach.

“Hello, little brother. I’m sure you’re busy at work being a good little boy, but your girlfriend is here and wanted me to make sure you knew where she was so you wouldn’t worry.”

The camera pans away from Will’s face. I can’t see much in the blur of colors that fills the screen, as if Will is swiftly moving through a dark room. When the camera finally stops moving it’s focused on a large, unmade bed. The cream sheets look worn and stained. But it’s the figures on the bed that have my full attention. Liv is nude and laying face down. There’s no mistaking her bright pink curls and pouty pink lips. Blood is caked around her mouth and hairline. The fact that someone hit her, drew her fucking blood, has me seeing red. She’s bent at the hips, her top half against the mattress and her legs hanging off the edge. In between her widely spread thighs, is some red-headed bitch. She was in some of the photos Garett had of Will, but I don’t know exactly who she is. She’s also naked. Her sallow skin is a stark contrast to my girl’s tanned flesh. She’s grinding against Liv’s ass furiously. Her long red nails hold onto Liv’s shoulders as she ruts against her viciously.

The camera pans back to Will’s fucking face. My heart is beating so rapidly in my chest it feels like it might burst throughmy fucking ribs. My teeth grind as I desperately try to keep my composure and gather any clues I can about where they are holding her.

“Well, we haveoneof your girlfriends with us, anyway. The other one, the one who you apparently kidnapped and are holding hostage, is still yours to keep … for now.”

Celeste.How the fuck does he know about Celeste?Bile rises in my throat as I realize just how fucking bad this is.

The camera spins to Liv again. Her eyes are so empty, so distant. They must have drugged her to have her be so compliant. My siren would be ripping their fucking faces off if she wasn’t incapacitated. A slow tear rolls down her cheek as the woman between her legs uses her talons to leave long red scratches down my Flower’s back. The bitch moans in pleasure, rutting her hips against my fucking woman. I can barely watch and yet I have to. I need to catch any clues I can to save my girl.

“I have to admit, your captive and Olivia here put on quite a show together.” Will’s face fills the screen yet again. His dark irises swirl with delight. “I thoroughly enjoyed watching them on the cameras you so kindly placed throughout your home. They were so very easy to hack into, baby brother. Might want to get a better security guy.”

My grip tightens painfully around the phone, the metal threatening to break under the force.

“I intend to get my money’s worth from your whore, Lucky Lucas. There’s several buyers online that are very interested in paying a pretty penny for her. She’d make such a lovely slave for someone, don’t you think? That is, unless you’d rather trade the raven-haired beauty for this one? Your choice, brother.”

He flashes the camera back to Liv one final time. The red-haired woman is now using her fingers to thrust into Liv from behind. She’s not being anywhere close to gentle and my blood boils with more rage than I thought possible to possess.

“You like Daddy filling up your slutty little cunt, baby girl?” the woman, who I assume must be Erika based on Liv’s stories, taunts as she fingers my fucking girl.

Liv is stoic, clearly escaping this horror by retreating into her own mind. I’ve used that same trick before. My face has slackened into that same blank emptiness as I disassociated from the pain. The thought of my Flower,my fucking girl, being in that place right now, makes me feel like ripping the steering wheel from my fucking car and using it to beat the life out of every single motherfucker that touched her. She’s mine—mine to possess, mine to love, mine to protect … and I failed her.

“Get her mouth open, my cock is aching to fuck her tight throat,” Will’s voice booms loudly from behind the camera.

Then the video goes black, the media message ending.

The scream that leaves my throat is feral, animalistic, and painful. I fucking failed her.

I throw my phone down and kick the car into drive, peeling onto the road without even looking if any other cars are coming. The drive home is a blur. Anger, rage, and fear all swirl through my system as I speed out of town as swiftly as my car will take me. Blowing through lights and swerving between cars, I barely manage not to crash. It doesn’t matter though. Nothing else fucking matters right now.

I make it home in record time, throwing open my door and sprinting toward the house before the car even fully comes to a stop. My heart is racing and my chest feels as though it might burst as I climb the stairs two at a time. With sure and steady steps I make my way down the hall and through the sleek black door of the control room. The screens are full of pictures of us. Videos, photos, secrets, and sins are all stored here for Will to use. I can’t fucking take it.

Throwing open the closet, I grab one of the shiny aluminum bats. Spinning around to face the system that was meant to keepme safe, I let loose. Glass and plastic go flying as I bring the bat down against screens and wires again, and again, and again, and again. Every ounce of rage I feel is channeled through the bat.

“Luke!” I register the voice in the periphery of my consciousness, but my fury keeps me swinging.

“Luke!” The voice calls again, more desperate this time.

Warm fingers wrap around my arm. Her touch soothes something, snapping me from my rage filled haze. I slowly shift my gaze to her.

Celeste stands behind me. My phone in her hand and tears streaking down her beautiful face. She must have fished the phone from my car and watched the video.Fuck. I drop the bat from my hand, the metal clanging loudly against the floor.

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