Page 51 of The Torturer's Target

Max didn’t budge, unfazed by the venom, he refused to leave.

Tesiera’s frustration grew as she banged her fists against the mattress.

“You don’t have the right to be in my room or stop me from doing anything,” she seethed. “It’s my life, and my choices, and I would appreciate it if you butt the fuck out. Now give me the fucking knife!”

“Fine then!” He slammed the knives on the bedside table before stepping back. “You wanna bleed yourself out like a stuck pig? Go ahead and be my guest.”

Tesiera picked up the knife, her eyes brimmed with raging fire and held his own angry stare firmly. She parted her thighs and carved another slit beside the first cut, relishing the prickling pain that followed.

He lowered his eyes to the blood dripping from the cut and a muscle ticked in his jaw. He watched her closely, noting the tension slowly dissipating from her body.

Silence descended upon them.

Then Tesiera stood up and brushed past him without a word, disappearing into the bathroom. She turned on the shower and stepped under the water, letting it wash over her as it stung her newly formed wound.

As she stood there, her thoughts began to race, and the image of horror and concern on his face filled her head. She knew he was worried. Whether it was because he was a doctor or he simply didn’t want to see her blood on his expensive mattress, she had no idea, but he had been genuinely concerned about her, and she had shut him out.

But it wasn’t as simple as just stopping. She didn’t want to cut herself, but it was the only escape she had. After a while, she turned off the shower and put on her nightdress before returning to her room.

Max was still there, leaning against the door jamb, his arms crossed. She was surprised but it didn’t show on her features.

Ignoring him, Tesiera made her way back to her bed and lay down, covering herself up. She could feel his eyes on her.

Then she heard him turn to leave before he paused.

“Just know that there won’t be a repeat of what just happened here. Not on my watch; not when I’m around. I swear to God, next time, I will stop you.” Then his footsteps faded.

Hours later, she couldn’t shake the vow he’d made. It continued to ring in her head.

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CHAPTER 22. THE TORTURER’S NON-EXISTENT SIDE.

Tesiera stood in front of the bathroom mirror, her gaze fixed on the bullet wound on her shoulder. She had just finished her shower, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. As she removed the old bandages, she winced at the sharp pain that shot through her. Despite the discomfort, she remained stoic and focused on the task. With a steady hand, she cleaned the wound and applied fresh bandages.

They were preparing to leave the beach house and return to Max's mansion. Tesiera’s phone rang. She picked it up from the bathroom counter and saw Big Cat on the caller ID.

She answered, holding the phone against her ear with her good shoulder she put the left over first aid supplies back into the kit.

“Sierra, dear, how are you doing?” Big Cat asked.

“I’m fine,” she responded, fastening the lock on the first aid kit.

“I heard from your handler that you’re taking a break. He said something about a month or two hiatus, and you won’t be taking any new missions. Is that so?” he asked, his tone tinged with surprise.

“Yes. Just some time away to recuperate. I’ll be back afterwards,” she said, taking the first aid kit in her hands and walking out of the bathroom. She made a mental note to remind Max to replace the disinfectant.

“Recuperate, huh?” Big Cat chuckled. “Or is it because you’re Maximilian’s new bodyguard?”

Tesiera remained silent, neither confirming nor denying Big Cat’s statement.

“Regardless, I’m very happy you decided to work with him. Now I can finalize the deal with his company,” Big Cat said.

She had forgotten about his plans to invest with Max's company. Even after two years of activity, it still surprised her that he was going legit. She wondered if he knew the real reason she decided to work with Max, or if he assumed that she was supporting his desire to own Kingston Hotels and Resorts.

“Has the deal been signed yet?” she inquired, now sitting at the edge of her bed.

“Well, not yet. But everything is in motion. Hopefully, the deal will take place soon,” Big Cat stated.

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