Page 56 of Finders Keep Her
"I think you can handle it." It's also going to give her more of a view of who I am. It's one thing to hear about it; it's another to see me in action. I know my girl will be good with it, but that doesn't stop the dose of anxiety I have over it. I'm not used to that feeling. I don't get nervous. I make people nervous.
"Then let's do it. Show me this hole."
"Do you have any electronics on you?" We can’t be too careful with Cyberius still running around.
"Nope." Ellie does a spin, like I'm going in to inspect her. I do, but not for electronics; that's for damn sure.
It's not too far of a drive to make it out to the hole. "There isn't anything here," Ellie says when she steps out of the truck, and I close the door behind her.
"The hole isn't an expression." I take her hand, leading her through the trees.
"We're in the middle of nowhere." The trees do make it appear that way. It helps instill fear when you bring people here. They can see for themselves it doesn't matter how loud you scream. No one is coming to help.
"It's here," I say, leaning down. I pull back the camouflage cover that’s over the door.
"It's a bunker." Ellie lets out an excited gasp. "My dad would love this." I grunt a response because her dad knows about the hole. I told him all about it hours ago. I spin the wheel to get it to open, pulling back the door. "That's creepy." Ellie leans in to stare down into the darkness.
I hit the power, lighting up the ladder to climb down. "I'll go first," I tell her. I'm not going to bother to close the door behind us. "I'll make sure there aren't any spiders on the way down."
"If I didn't love you already that would have sealed the deal."
I go down first, slowly, in case Ellie slips. I want to be able to catch her, but my girl makes it fine. When she turns to see the rest of the room, a small gasp leaves her.
"Ahh!" Nick tries to scream through the cloth I have shoved into his mouth and tied. He tugs at the binds that have his hands secured behind him.
"And I thought I was the jealous one." Ellie shakes her head, eyes still wide.
"Not saying I wouldn't do it for that reason alone, but it's not that.This time."
“What’s the reason?” Her brows furrow together as she tries to piece together why the hell I have Nick down here.
“You’re gonna have to wait for that, little fox. I’m going to encourage him to tell you that himself.” I walk toward the little punk. The smell of urine hits me as I get close. They always fucking pee themselves.
I pull my knife out, and Nick starts to scream through the gag as I move closer. I glance back toward Ellie, but she doesn’t try to stop me or protect him. He keeps screaming until I cut the tie securing the gag in his mouth. He coughs it out.
“Ellie, help me. He’s fucking insane.”
“I kind of know he’s insane.” She shrugs one shoulder. That shuts Nick up but only for a couple of seconds.
“Ellie! Please?—”
“I warned you,” I tell him before hitting him with the back of my hand as you would any little bitch boy. Because that’s what he is. A little boy who tried to play in the big leagues. “Are we on the same page?” He shakes his head up and down. “Next time I’ll cut your tongue out and be done with you.” Nick nods his head. “Good boy.” I give his cheek a light double tap.
Being in the hole isn’t all about physical torture; it’s mental too. Humiliation hits hard for a lot of males, and I know it hits extra hard for pretty boys like him. I’d bet my life he joined the Marines only to be able to say he was one. It’s all show.
“What did you warn him about?” Ellie steps closer.
“Using your name.”
“Well then.” She presses her lips together. “You really are insane.”
“That a problem?” I ask.
“Nope, I might kinda like it.”
“I know, little fox.”
“I’d give you a kiss, but it stinks down here.” Her nose scrunches. “And I want to know why Nick is here.” She glances back at me. “You said this was about Cyberius.”
