Page 17 of The Freedom in Captivity

Hell concealed within paradise.

“You’re pissed,” she breathes. “This is revenge for you.”

It’s everything.

“Yes.” There’s no point in arguing the fact. “Now do you get it? This cocky thing you’re doing, trying to dredge up memories, it won’t work.”

For the final time, I shove away from her, releasing her wrists but pulling on the chain in one swift movement. We’re getting out of here before I do something every fibre of my being will regret.

“That’s not what I’m doing,” she counters when I get my bedroom door opened. “I meant what I said earlier, about our scars. I think it’s interesting how what we once promised actually came true.”

I shut my eyes, the memory filtering through again. She won’t destroy me like this.

“Keep talking, Rozelyn, and I’ll gut you. I’m gettingverysick of your voice right now.” I drag her into the hallway with me and shut the door.

“You can’t yet,” she states in a haughty tone as I start down the hallway, toward the basement.

“Test me.” This entire interaction made one fact clear: I need to admit to Nico who Rozelyn is to me. “If you forget,” I whirl to face her, so she can see the lack of humour in my expression, “I told you, torturing women is a mental game, andmon soleil,we’re just starting.”

Fuck.

Wait. No.For the second time today that nickname slips out too easily and I try to claw it back in, but it’s out. In the air, both of us having heard it. The way her lips twitch with the hint of a smile, her bright eyes getting even more lively, tells me she’s amused by my slip-up.

“Understand?” I turn around again and give her my back to hide the regret, uncaring if she answers my latest question or not.

In some ways, Rozelyn fucking won that round. Whatever she set out to do in my room, she succeeded. She found a buried emotion, had me address the love I once held for her. Mentioned old promises that I spent months living by, searching for her, even when I hated her.

That might have been evidence of old dreams and nightmares, but it was also a reminder.She’sa reminder.

Of everything she once was to me.

And everything she stole.

The fact she tried to use my emotions to get her way proves one thing though; she also still has these feelings, which means, it’ll be easy to twist the game around on her. I’ll confuse her senses. Be the good guy she remembers and wants me still to be before ripping that reality away. I’ll blur her mind, break her heart, and crack her so wide open, she’ll give me what I need.

We make it back to the basement, and instead of tying her to the chair, I give her the first piece of kindness. I loop the chain through a metal pole in the corner, which gives her about three feet of walking room.

“Generous.” She’s sarcastic, of course.

“Be grateful. Most would be put right back on the chair.” But most would also be losing limbs right now.

When she’s secured, I head toward the staircase, not breaking my stride until she speaks. “Wait. You’re leaving?” A spike of panic. Good.

“No point in hanging around with you if you’re not going to talk.”

“You’re not very good at torturing, are you? Makes me think of the boy I once knew.”

I ignore the jab because she’s missing the point.

“I don’t have to be down here to torture you.”

Then I exit the basement altogether, leaving Rozelyn in complete darkness when I flick off the light on my way out. See how she enjoys that. As I stride away from the door, I pull out my phone to respond to the text I received earlier when Rozelyn was using the bathroom.

Nico

Update?

Me

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