by Tiffany Snow
The truck tires squealed as I made a hairpin turn, glancing frantically at the clock. Two minutes.
I was going sixty-five in a twenty-five zone, swerving around cars and into oncoming traffic. Horns blared in my wake, but I took no notice of them. My entire focus was on the road and the ticking of the clock inside my head.
The docks were close and I swerved into the address he’d given me, slamming the truck into park and jumping out. I hit the pavement at a dead run, aiming for the door I could see set into the bleak warehouse. And I was only steps from it when something slammed into me from behind, knocking me to the ground. My head cracked against the pavement and everything went black.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A blinding pain woke me, then another, before I realized someone was slapping me. First one cheek, then the other. I tried to lift a hand to stop them, but couldn’t. My hands were tied behind me.
My eyes blinked open and I flinched as another blow came toward me, but it stopped at the last second.
“Oh good, you are awake. I was afraid Lee had hit you too hard.”
Viktor was the one hitting me and I glanced to where he indicated. A body lay on the floor, a pool of blood spreading beneath him. Not far from him was a metal barrel with a fire burning inside. It cast weird shadows around the room.
“You’re certainly leaving a lot of dead bodies in your wake,” I said.
“Yes, well, good help can be so hard to find.”
I was sitting on a chair, my wrists tied behind my back, inside what I assumed was the warehouse. Glancing around, heart in my throat, I spotted Parker and Ryker. They were maybe twenty feet away and now I could see they were tied to a set of bedsprings suspended above them. No blood marred their wrists or forearms and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Yes, you made it just in the nick of time,” Viktor said. “And I had hoped to at least get a pinky as my trophy. Ah well. Perhaps later.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it, you bastard,” I ground out.
Viktor laughed. “You are entertaining, Sage, I will give them that. But your loyalty is quite lacking.”
I pressed my lips together and didn’t reply.
He began to pace slowly, back and forth as he talked. “So please tell me, how did this come to be? Last I saw you and Parker, you were quite the hot item. I believe my driver reported a steamy scene in the backseat of the car. And you two did share a room together.”
I half-listened to him as I took stock of the huge room. The ceiling was high, at least twenty feet, and there was a glimmering light from the hallway to my right. I thought maybe that was an exit. Unfortunately, three guys stood between me and the exit, not to mention getting Parker and Ryker free and out of here was probably beyond my capability.
“And yet,” he continued, “you’re dating the detective.” He shook his head sadly. “I can’t help but think you’re not being true to yourself, Sage. I think the detective is merely little fling on the side, that you know you belong with Parker. Or am I wrong? Does the lawman bring out a side of you your boss cannot? Do tell me.”
“This isn’t a fucking soap opera,” I spat. “You’re insane.”
He backhanded me with enough force to knock me from the chair. I lay on the floor, gasping and blinking the blackness from my vision. Blood ran freely from my mouth, the inside of my lip cut from my teeth.
“Viktor, what the fuck are you doing?” I heard Parker call out. “You should be getting out of town while you still can. You don’t think the CIA is going to track me down? You stick around here, you’re going to miss your chance to get out of the country.”
“The CIA doesn’t even know I’m alive,” Viktor said. “I’m not worried about them. What I do want, what I crave, is a bit of revenge.”
“They’ll kill you if you go back, is that it?” Parker asked. “Given your history, I’m sure the CIA would offer you clemency and protection if you’d tell them what you knew.”
Viktor’s laugh was bitter. “As if anyone can protect me from them. I’m living on borrowed time as it is. I might as well make the most of it. And torturing those who caused my downfall is the best revenge I could possibly have.”
He grabbed my braid and hauled me upright. The pain was excruciating and I scrambled to ease the pressure, getting to my feet with my hands still tied.
“Let’s play that game. The one Americans are so fond of,” Viktor said. “What is it called? Oh yes. Truth or Dare.” His cold eyes focused on Ryker. “You first, Detective. Truth? Or Dare?”
Ryker’s head was bowed, his chest covered in sweat and bruises, but he looked up. He looked at me, at the blood dripping from my mouth, then focused on Viktor. “This oughtta be good, asshole. Dare. I choose dare.”
“I thought you would!” Viktor said with a wide smile. “A cop is known for their bravery, their courage. A dare is a natural choice, after all.”
Viktor walked to the fire burning inside the barrel and picked up something from the floor. A tire iron. My heart stuttered in my chest. He held it into the flames.
“This is a test of not only your courage, but your ability to endure pain,” he said. Taking the tire iron from the fire, I saw the end of it glowed with heat. He walked over to Ryker.
“I’m going to press this into your side for ten seconds,” he said. “If you ask, I will remove it. But then she”—he pointed at me—“will endure the rest of the time you could not. If you refuse, she’ll endure all ten seconds. Understood?”
I was horrified. “No! Please, Viktor! Don’t—” But Ryker was already nodding.
“Fine.”
“No!” I screamed as Viktor pressed the tire iron to Ryker’s flesh. Every muscle in his body went rigid, his face contorting in pain. He gritted his teeth, grunting, but didn’t flinch away. I could smell the stench of burnt flesh and tears streamed down my face.
“You sonofabitch!” I yelled, jumping to my feet, but two of the guys had their hands on my shoulders instantly, shoving me back down.
Ten seconds was an eternity when someone you loved was hurting.
After what felt like way more than ten seconds, Viktor stepped back. There was a livid brand in Ryker’s skin and his head hung again. I couldn’t tell if he was conscious or not.
“Tell me, Parker, do you care that Sage is fucking someone else?”
Parker glanced at Viktor, then stared straight ahead. “Sage and I aren’t together.”
Viktor looked at me. “Is he telling the truth?”
I gave a jerky nod.
“I suppose there’s an easy way to find out,” Viktor said, returning to the fire. My gut twisted as I watched him again heat the tire iron.
“Please, don’t hurt them again,” I begged through lips gone numb. I had no real hope that he’d listen, but I had to try.
“Oh, this one isn’t for them,” he replied, inspecting the glowing metal. “This one is for you.”
“Don’t even think about it, Viktor,” Parker furiously cried out. “I’ll kill you!”
Viktor ignored him, approaching me until he stood at my side. “He’s not in much of a position to argue, is he, my dear?” he said to me.
I didn’t answer, my eyes glued to the metal. My whole body was quaking in terror.
“Tell me the truth, Parker,” Viktor said loudly. “You still want Sage, don’t you? Tell me the truth or I put out her eye.”
He held the tire iron next to my face and I leaned away, but then was forced back upright by the guard. He forced my head to stay still and I could feel the heat emanating from the tire iron as it moved closer.
“Stop it! Yes! I still want Sage, now stop!”
At Parker’s yell, Viktor froze. I couldn’t breathe. The metal was only an inch from my eye and I didn’t even blink. After a moment, Viktor stepped back and I thought I’d lose control of my bladder, I was so relieved.
Too scared to even cry, I sat in the chair, gasping for breath and shaking from head to toe.
“Le
t us hear it then,” Viktor said, waving a hand at Parker. “Why let the detective take her?”
Parker’s lips pressed together and I knew he didn’t want to answer.
“Answer or I will not hesitate this time,” Viktor said, raising the tire iron and pointing it at me.
“She loves him.” The words sounded pulled from Parker’s chest. “I let her go because she loves him.”
“A faithless woman.” Viktor looked at me. “Fickle and inconstant in her affections. I would wager she feels nothing for you and enjoys playing the femme fatale, isn’t that right, Sage?”
I shook my head, “No—”
“Don’t lie, Sage,” Viktor interrupted. He looked at the guard. “Cut her bindings.” The man hastened to comply and the ropes fell from my wrists. I rubbed the torn skin, staring warily up at Viktor.
“Give me your hand,” he said.
I hesitated.
“Now!” he yelled.
I jumped and thrust out my left hand. Taking it in his, he turned it palm up.
“For you, I choose Truth,” he said. “Tell me, Sage. Do you love the detective?”
“Y-yes,” I stammered. My hand trembled and he tightened his hold. I glanced at the still-glowing tire iron.
“And Parker? Do you love him, too?”
I glanced over where Parker and Ryker were tied. Both men were watching.
“O-of course I do,” I said, trying to pull my hand away.
“And have you had sex with them both?”
Oh God. This wasn’t how I’d planned on telling Ryker.
“Say the truth …” he prompted, moving the heated iron closer to my palm.
“Yes,” I blurted, keeping my voice down.
“I’m afraid I didn’t hear you. What was that?” The iron was only inches away.
“Yes! I said yes. Now let go of me.”
“Not so fast, my dear,” Viktor said. “Two men have endured great pain because of you. They deserve to know which one you want. So tell me, who shall it be? The detective? Or Parker?”
I stared up at him, aghast. Was he asking so only one wouldn’t be killed? What would happen to the other if I said one of their names?
“I-I don’t know,” I stammered.
“Tsk tsk,” Viktor scolded. “Let me assist you in making up your mind.” Without warning, he pressed the metal into the center of my palm.
I screamed at the pain, excruciating and white hot. Then it stopped.
“That’s just a taste,” Viktor said with a cold smile.
“Stop playing with the girl, Viktor,” Parker called out. “I’m the one who screwed you over. Come play with me instead! Or are you not man enough that you have to pick on little girls?”
Viktor didn’t respond to the taunt.
“Cops will be here any minute, Viktor,” Ryker added. His voice was strained and I knew he had to be in a lot of pain. I was shocked he hadn’t passed out.
“Tell me,” Viktor insisted. “Or I will put a hole in the center of your palm with this.” He brandished the iron. “Choose. Who do you love the most, dear Sage? They deserve to know.”
I frantically shook my head, terrified of what he’d do no matter whose name I said.
“This will be painful, I’m afraid.” He gave a mock sigh of regret and lifted my hand higher.
Parker and Ryker both started yelling at him, taunting and threatening, the bedsprings rattling above them, but all I could see was the glowing metal touching my hand …
I screamed again and tears streamed from my eyes. The pain was worse than before and I could smell my own flesh burning. I struggled to get away, but the guard held me and it was hurting so bad and I couldn’t take it …
“Parker!” I screamed.
The iron left my skin immediately and the guard let go of me. I collapsed onto the concrete floor and curled on my side. Cradling my hand to my chest, I tried to slow my breathing. I was hyperventilating and my vision was edged in black. If I blacked out, God only knew what Viktor would do to get me to awaken.
“Gentlemen, we have an answer,” Viktor said. “Congratulations, Parker. It seems the lady prefers you to the detective.”
I pried open my eyes, matted with sweat and tears, and watched Viktor approach Ryker.
“My apologies, Detective,” he said. “But it is preferable to know, wouldn’t you agree?”
Ryker didn’t reply.
Despair overwhelmed me. What was going to happen to us? Surely there was something I could do? My hands were free now, but the two guards still flanked me.
My gaze drifted to the hallway and where I thought perhaps an exit was located. Maybe if I could get away, make a break for it, I could get help.
“… women are worthless,” Viktor was saying. “She deserves to be punished, treated like the whore she is, for what she’s done to the two of you.” He turned and spoke to the guards. “She’s a whore. Treat her as such.”
Understanding dawned just as the two men looked down at me, and suddenly I was out of time for planning.
Panic made adrenaline surge through my veins and I scrambled backward and onto my feet. Then I was running.
One of them growled something in Russian, but I could hear both of them coming after me. Behind that, I heard Viktor’s laughter.
I ran as if the hounds of hell were after me, down an endless hallway, all while praying I was heading for an exit.
A door blocked my path and my heart leapt. I slammed into the crossbar and shoved it open … right into an identical warehouse from the one I’d just escaped from.
“Gotcha!”
Hands locked around my arms and I screamed bloody murder as they pulled me back into the dark hallway. The door slammed shut in front of me.
I began fighting in earnest, but one session of self-defense wasn’t enough to free myself from two well-trained men who each had a hundred pounds or more on me. In moments, they had me on my back on the floor. One had my arms pinned over my head, the other forced my legs apart and knelt between them.
“Hold her,” the one kneeling said.
The guy on top of me started unfastening his pants. I couldn’t free my arms; he was too strong. But my legs were free.
I kicked out and my foot caught him in the chest, but did nothing. I remembered what Parker had said about getting them on the chin, that even the biggest guy would go down, and changed my aim. But he pushed closer, using his chest to pin mine down, and I couldn’t get my legs in between us.
I was screaming at them, yelling obscenities and telling them to get off me. The guy on top swung his fist at my face, connecting near my temple. Pain exploded in my eye and head. Dizziness was a cloudy fog and my screaming was cut off as I struggled to stay awake.
Maybe you don’t want to be awake for this, I thought. It would probably be better to be unconscious. It would be easy. My brain felt weird, my limbs heavy. Oblivion beckoned.
I felt him tugging at the fastening to my jeans and I moaned, trying to move away. Then he was pulling them down over my hips—
Suddenly I was free, the pressure on my chest, hips, and wrist gone. I opened my eyes with effort. Everything was blurry, but I saw a man standing over me. He bent down toward me and I cringed away with a sharp cry of fear.
“Shh, it’s okay. It’s me. You’re okay.”
“Parker?” I stared at him in disbelief, blinking to clear my vision. “How—Where’s Ryker?”
“I’m here.”
I swung my gaze to my left and sure enough, Ryker was crouching next to me.
“Hold on to me, babe,” he said, putting his arms underneath mine and lifting me. I clung to him, resting my head against his chest.
I felt Parker pull my clothes back up, his hands sliding around my waist to fasten my jeans.
“Here, let me take her,” Parker said. “You can barely stand yourself.”
That made me sit up. “You’re not okay,” I said to Ryker. “He hurt you.”
“I’ll be fine,” he said, b
ut made no further comment as he handed me over to Parker, who stood, lifting me in his arms.
My head was spinning and aching and my hand hurt so badly, but I was able to see the men who’d been about to rape me. They were on the ground and neither was moving. I didn’t know how Parker and Ryker had gotten free or what they’d done to those men; I was just glad they had.
When we reached the warehouse, Parker sat me down in the chair I’d occupied earlier, and I saw cops had begun pouring into the building. Parker stood right behind me, his hands on my shoulders. Then my gaze fell on something else and I froze.
It was Viktor, lying flat on his back on the floor, the tire iron protruding from his chest.
“I see you found her.”
Tearing my eyes from the sight of Viktor, I saw Branna standing next to Ryker. She was looking at me, but her attention refocused on him.
“You need to get to the hospital,” she said. “They need to look at that burn.”
“I will. Just gimme a minute,” he said to her, his eyes on me.
My head had cleared but I felt numb, like I was in shock or something. I’d always heard about it, but hadn’t experienced it. Now I understood what people meant. I didn’t know what to say or how to react to anything. The entire horrifying experience was too awful to contemplate, so I didn’t.
Ryker crouched in front of me.
“Babe, you okay?” he asked.
I looked at him and gave a tiny nod. “I think so. My hand …”
“Let me see.”
He took my hand gently in his, turning it palm up. The mark was as livid as the one against his side. It hurt too much to flatten my hand and I felt self-conscious with both Parker and Branna watching, so I pulled away, cradling it back against my chest.
“I’m sorry,” I choked out. “I didn’t know what he would do to either of you, no matter what name I said.” Tears dripped, but I ignored them.
“Let’s not talk about it right now,” he said.
I nodded. “Okay.”
EMTs came flooding in, surrounding the three of us, and I was separated from them. I looked around, trying to spot either of them in the crowd, but couldn’t.
“Where are they?” I asked the woman working on me. “I need them. I can’t—I can’t—” Breathing became impossible, catching in my chest, and my lungs wouldn’t inflate properly.