Page 207 of Never Die for a Sinner
“We’re broken up,” I choke. “I haven’t seen him in a week.”
Alex takes my face in his hands, suddenly soft as he brushes a tear from my cheek—like a mockery of tenderness.
“Shhh . . . I don’t care about Cross. Where is Nolan Marks?”
I jerk away, but he grabs my chin, fingers turning to iron.
“Where is he, Ava?”
“I don’t know,” I whimper, every nerve screaming. My body feels like it’s been lit on fire, like he’s melting me from the inside out.
“Just tell me, Ava, and I’ll set you free. You won’t have to see me ever again.”
“You’re a fucking monster.”
Alex has the audacity to look bored.
“Yes, but of course, you already knew that . . . Didn’t you, sweetheart? Or do you only respond tobaby girl?”
I glare up at him.
“Fuck. You.”
Alex grins.
“You know, I really enjoyed the little show you put on at the cabin.” His voice turns cruel. “Tied up and begging for Cross to fuck you. I was surprised. But then, I always knew you were a whore.”
“I hope he finds you,” I spit through my teeth. “And when he does, I hope he rips you apart piece by piece until youbegfor death.”
“Sh, sh, shhh . . .” He taps my cheek gently. “Poetic justice, isn’t it? I’m going to kill your father. Cross next, and you—well, you’re the icing on the cake. I’ll make him watch while I fuck you. Then he can sit in a pool of your blood while you bleed out. And when I’m done, I’ll take my time finishing off the youngest Cross brother.”
“You’re pathetic,” I whisper, forcing every ounce of venom into the words.
The flicker in his eyes—rage, sharp and unrestrained—tells me I’ve struck the nerve I was aiming for.
“See? That’s the problem with you, Ava. You still think someone’s coming to save you. Cross isn’t a hero. He never was. He’s just a man who likes to pretend he’s better than the rest of us.”
I shake my head, my voice hoarse. “He’s not you.”
That earns me a sharp laugh. “No. He’s worse. At least I don’t lie about what I am.”
He pulls out a phone, and my stomach clenches as he hits a button.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll get what I need one way or another.”
The dial tone rings.
“No,” I breathe.
Please, God—
“No!” I scream when he stands.
The line clicks. The ringing stops.
And then—
“Where is she?”
