Page 38 of Mistress Mayhem

“We really did break you all those years ago, didn’t we? You’re certifiably insane.” Cary shakes his head. “Who in their right mind goads the man who holds their life in his hands?”

His other hand comes up to close around my throat, making it hard for me to breathe. It cuts off my laughter, but I know he can still see the amusement on my face. He thinks he’s the one with the upper hand. That he’s the one in charge right now. That he can end my life whenever he pleases.

If only he knew just how wrong he is.

The way he’s holding me right now does make it difficult, but I still manage to snake a hand into my thigh holster. My fingers close around the syringe as he continues yapping.

“When you got away, I was so upset. I’d already decided that I was going to keep you for myself. I read about Charlotte’s death, but there was no mention of you, which was curious. You were smarter than I gave you credit for. I thought you’d go straight to the cops.” He grins, and it sickens me. If anyone is insane in this room, it’s definitely him. “If you had, nothing would’ve come of it. Well, except for bringing down my wrath on you. Here in Lockwood, I own the police and most of the people who live here.

“It took a while for me to find out that you’d returned home, but by then you’d already disappeared. I was sure you’d show up at my house, but you never did. So what? Did you spend the last ten years planning how you’d make me pay? How did you think you’d make all of us pay? Such a waste of time since you’re going to be the one who dies tonight.”

He scoffs. “As if you could bring down my empire. You might have killed the other three, but that won’t keep me from doing what I did to you to thousands of other girls. You’re not special, Avery. You’re just a weak little girl who I wanted to break, which I seem to have done. You’re not even fun to play with anymore.”

“Think again, asshole,” I manage to get out around his hand around my throat, his face contorting in confusion for a second before the syringe easily slips into the exposed skin of his wrist.

“What the fuck was that?” he growls, sending me tumbling to the floor. “What did you do to me, you little bitch?”

I struggle to my feet, shrugging my shoulders. “I guess you’ll just have to wait and find out.”

I smile as the drugs kick in, his knees giving out and he slams face-first into the floor just as the door flies open.

“Princess?” Cooper’s voice is frantic as his eyes lock on me, eyes narrowing as he takes me in. “What the fuck did he do?”

I wince at the roar spilling from him before shaking my head. “Doesn’t matter.”

His eyes narrow even more at the hoarse quality of my voice.

“Just grab him and let’s get to the basement. I’m so ready for this to be over.”

Cooper looks like he wants to argue, but something seems to stop him. He nods, reaching down to grab Cary, throwing him over his shoulder, and heading for the door. “Where are we heading?”

I hum, trying to figure out if the closet or the library is closer, but it’s hard with the ringing in my ears. I must have hit my head when he threw me to the floor. One too many bumps to the head. Luckily, I know I have pain meds in the basement.

“The library. I’ll lead the way.” I hesitate in the doorway. “You have some way to contact the guys, right? I don’t have my phone.”

Cooper reaches into his pocket, pulling out his phone and tossing it to me. “I already unlocked it. There should be a group text at the top of my messages with them.”

I find the group chat easily and type out a message as I head for the library with Cooper at my heels.

Cooper: Hey, it’s Sage. We have Cary and are heading for the basement now. Meet us?

Fox: On my way, angel.

Austin: You okay, little one?

Cooper: Yeah. We’ll talk in the basement.

I quickly close out of the chat and power off the phone. I don’t really want to talk to them about how I’m feeling, but I don’t think I’m going to have a choice. But turning off the phone definitely delays the inevitable, and for now, that’s enough for me.

This is it. It’s almost over, and then I can start the rest of my life.

Chapter Nineteen

Cooper

WhenIthrewthedoor open to the room to find Sage standing over Cary, I don’t think I’ve ever been more relieved in my life.

When I’d heard raised voices, I’d known Cary had her. I hadn’t expected to find her standing over his unconscious body. No, I’d been expecting to find her beneath him as he abused her, just like he had ten years ago.

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