Page 99 of Seeking Shadows

I hate this—every part of it. The smell of blood, the sickening sound of his ragged breaths—it all twists something deep inside me. But I’ll do it. For Mia. I’ll do whatever I have to.

I know when I’m done with him, I won’t even bother to hide the body. I’ll leave it as a message. Nico will see. I never thought I would kill for someone. I’ve always loathed the act, but it’s her. She deserves, for once, someone fighting her battles.

I slip my earphones in, the familiar pulse ofBLACKPINK - DDU-DU DDU-DUfilling my ears. I don’t want to hear his screams. I have sensitive hearing, but if I’m being honest, there’s something almost soothing about having a soundtrack to his panic, his bloodied face. It’s like I can tune it all out and just focus on the moment.

On the action.

"Let’s talk, doctor."

The bitter tastelingers on my tongue as I rest my hands on the sink, staring at my reflection. I hate torture; it always leaves me feeling sick, the way violence churns in my gut like acid. But still, if it means eliminating every bastard who’s ever hurt Mia, I’ll do it.

It’s not the first time I’ve crossed that line.

The first time was the night of my nightmare. Mia had been asleep, and I went after one of the guards. I'd overheard him reminiscing about the "good old days" when they could keep her caged and use her for whatever they wanted. That shit cut deep.

Nico had orchestrated it, though, making sure the guard was around just to get under my skin after what I’d said to him that night. He’s always playing me, always testing my limits.

At first, I thought about just killing the bastard. A quick end. But that night, I was so fucked up in the head, I couldn’t think straight. Mia was asleep, and in that silence, I slipped away, not caring about the consequences. I tortured him slowly, making sure to rip his dick off while he was still breathing.

The next morning, I threw up for hours.

I could feel it coming again—my body trying to reject what I’d done. But the need to protect Mia, to destroy whoever’s gotten in her way, is overwhelming.

I just want to take her home, pull her out of this hellhole. But how do I do that without turning her into a ticking time bomb?

She’s so filled with fear that she can’t see how much I want to protect her, how she’s not alone in this. She thinks Nico might kill me, and yeah, he might. But there are people watching my back, people who will protect me, even if she doesn't believe it.

I take a slow breath, trying to keep the rising bile down.

Mia’s behind me, quiet. But I can feel her, her presence like static, the air crackling around her as she watches me. Studying me.I know she’s getting ready to see her psycho brother, and I need to get my shit together and accompany her.

"Are you throwing up again?" she asks, her voice playful but laced with something darker.

I don’t answer, just keep brushing my teeth, focusing on the methodical motions, pretending it’s enough to distract me.

But Mia doesn’t move. She’s relentless.

In the mirror, I see her reflection.

Her gaze drifts over me, from my face to my stomach, before darkening with desire. She bites her lip, and I know that look. I know exactly what she’s thinking.

A heat burns through me, spreading lower, dangerously. My grip tightens on the toothbrush.

"Do you like what you see?" My voice comes out a little rougher than I intended.

Her smile is slow, deliberate. She shrugs. "Maybe." Her eyes gleam with something wicked.

I spit the foam into the sink and rinse my mouth, trying to ignore how close she’s getting.

Her bare feet don’t make a sound as she walks toward me.

Then I feel her hand, soft fingers trailing down my back, lazy as if she has all the time in the world. But I know better. It’s anything but innocent.

A low sigh slips from my mouth, my eyes closing briefly. She knows exactly what she’s doing.

“Mia,” I warn, my voice low and steady, but there’s more heat in it than I mean.

She hums, pressing herself closer, her warm breath against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

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