Page 35 of Traitor

The inside of the van is dark and cold and it smells like cigarettes and blood.

My blood.

Jinx didn’t waste any time.

My arms are tied behind my back, my wrists aching from the zip ties. My cheek presses against the floor, the metal vibrating beneath me as the tires grind against the road.

He sits on the bench seat above me, his boot resting against my hip, tapping in a slow, lazy rhythm.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Like he's waiting. Like he's savoring this. The other men chuckle around me, their voices a low hum of amusement.

"She really thought she was safe, huh? Tisha did good."

"Bones gave her up real easy. Almost like he wanted to erase her. I was hoping he wouldn't kill her. I thought he'd just throw her at the side of the road, but the fucker gave her right back. Too bad Tisha thought we'd come for her, too," he cackles.

My stomach twists.

I can't breathe.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Jinx leans down, his fingers threading through my hair before he yanks my head up, forcing me to meet his dark, soulless eyes.

"He didn't even ask anything in return for giving you back." His voice is almost playful, like he's enjoying this game. "Like you're a disease he wanted to be rid of."

I try to jerk away, but his grip tightens.

"You broke my fucking heart, Ely," he murmurs, his lips curving into a twisted smile. "You let another man touch what's mine."

A shiver rips through me, bile rising in my throat.

"I'm not yours," I rasp.

Jinx tuts. "That's a lovely tattoo you have on your arm, sweetheart."

TRAITOR.

The ink burns all over again, seared into my skin, into my heart. Jinx's fingers trail down my throat, slow and possessive. His touch makes me want to cry, but I stop the tears before they can escape.

"First thing I'm gonna do when we get back?" His voice drops lower. Darker. "Gonna take my time reminding you who you truly belong to."

I choke on a shuddering breath, my body trembling. I know what he means. I know what's waiting for me back at the Crimson Riders clubhouse. And I know no one is coming to save me.

6. Hell

Ely

Ibarely register what's happening. Everything hurts.

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