Page 85 of Shockproof

I don’t.

I lower my brow.

Move the device over to the nail of his middle finger.

Let it gradually clasp down to add to the agony of anticipation.

Keeping my expression stoic during the process only pushes him to plead hastily. More hopelessly. “I’ll tell you what – what – whatever you wanna kn-kn-know! Just…just…just please,” his head rapidly whips back and forth, “pleaseno fucking more!”

I allow my chin to tip a little higher at the same time the tool smashes into the sensitive space.

“Stop! Stop! Stop!”

“I think he wants you to stop, Wahl,” Blu impishly pokes during his stroll closer. “But I’m just guessing, man.”

Swinging my attention in his direction has me catching a glimpse of Britt who’s at this time only sporting the one patched up wound and showcasing a smirk so smug that I’m tempted to have Angel Cake delivered here just to slap it off.

But that would be against procedure.

And possibly add more damage to that beautiful soul of hers.

More damage she doesn’t need.

Not if I can help it.

Not if I canpreventit.

My glare pastes itself onto our other hostage. “You think this shit is funny?”

Martindale rolls her head around to meet my gaze.

“You think this shit won’t happen to you?”

Her amused expression remains.

“Can’t happen to you?”

Mirth sustains its residence.

“You think because we had somethin’ once upon a fuck, you’re gonna make it out of this shit alive?”

All of a sudden, the sound of a cellphone starts ringing, yet the fact there’s no vibration attached to it means it’s not mine.

And considering the confused look on Blu’s face it’s safe to assume it’s not his either.

“I think…” Her red stained lips slowly expand into an even cockier beam, “if you ever wanna see that talking crayon box you call your girlfriend again, you should answer that.”

Dread drips along the back of my throat prompting me to wordlessly instruct Blu to retrieve the ringing device.

“Front pocket!” Martindale villainously giggles, clearly aware of something we aren’t.

She can’t be.

She can’tbe aheadof us because the decision to grab her was last minute.

She wasn’t a part of the original op, which means she shouldn’t have had a contingency plan for this situation unless of course it’s just a standing arrangement upon her unexplained disappearance.

That would be a brilliant tactical strategy.

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