Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
When we pulled up in front of the warehouse, I didn’t see Lorcan anywhere. Seamus and I got out. Resisting the urge to run away, I followed Seamus into the warehouse. Lorcan came out of his office and headed our way.
I met his gaze, needing some affirmation that I was being stupid, but the hard look in his eyes only kindled my worry.
He stopped in front of me and leaned close to kiss my throat and ear. “Did you really think I wouldn’t find out that you’re a snitch, Aislinn?”
I froze. “I don’t know what you mean.” The words were rushed and squeaky, not controlled and indignant like they should have been.
He grabbed me by the throat and pulled back to glare at me, his eyes flashing with pure fury. “Don’t lie to me. I know you’re working with the police.”
I swallowed, terrified. I should have never agreed to that deal. So far the police hadn’t helped me find Imogen.
“Undress. I want to make sure we remove every bug on your body.”
My eyes widened. “Lorcan—”
“Seamus, go outside and make sure no one comes in while I search her for bugs.” Seamus nodded without even a glance at me, as if he couldn’t even look at me after what I’d done, and left.
“Lorcan—”
The look on Lorcan’s face had me shutting my mouth. He looked truly scary, like he wanted to kill me. I had a feeling that was the standard punishment for traitors. He wouldn’t care why I’d done it. “I’m not wearing any bugs,” I said quietly, knowing now wasn’t the time for provocation.
“Undress now.”
Lorcan crossed his arms before his chest and waited.
Swallowing hard, I got out of my dress, then removed my underwear.
I stood before him completely naked, like I had done so many times before, but this time I felt dirty and ashamed under his cold scrutiny.
Lorcan circled me like he’d done that first evening. He glared down at me, and I almost buckled under his rage. “Lift your arms.”
I did. He lifted my hair, felt my scalp.
“Bend forward and part your ass cheeks.”
I blinked, remembering a report about how they searched inmates the same way. I bent forward and parted my ass cheeks.
“You can stand.”
I did and turned back to him.
His wary eyes settled on my pussy.
“If I’d hidden a bug there, you would have found it right away,” I said then let out a choked laugh.
For a second, I thought he might laugh too.
“You can get dressed again,” he growled, and I quickly put my clothes back on.
“Lorcan, I don’t know what you think you know but—”
“I found the bugs and I questioned Desmond. Every word out of your mouth is wasted energy and time.
“Seamus!” he called. Desperate, I tried to reach for his arm. He shook me off. “Take her into the back room and chain her to the ceiling.”
My eyes grew wide, but before I could ask him to reconsider, Lorcan disappeared from view.
Seamus grabbed my arm, and I screamed out of reflex.
“Nobody will come to help you,” he said matter-of-factly and dragged me through a side door into a smaller hall with chains hanging from the ceiling. My stomach flipped.
“Please, Seamus. Maeve is my friend. Don’t do this.”
Seamus looked at me with contempt. I wouldn’t receive any pity from him. “I told you not to break Lorcan’s trust.”
“I didn’t mean to.” He scoffed. “I never had his trust to begin with.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He put the cold cuffs around my wrists despite my struggling. Then he tugged at the rope that was attached to the cuffs and pulled my up over my head until I had to stand on my tiptoes.
“Maybe Lorcan will make it quick. I’ll tell Gulliver to pray for your soul.”
“I don’t want him to pray for me! I want to live.”
Seamus left without another word.
What about Finn? Cold fear spread through me. But I couldn’t imagine Lorcan ever hurting Finn.
The cuffs bit into my skin and my joints ached from the awkward position. I wasn’t sure how long I’d been hanging like that. My tiptoes brushed the cold floor. Unshed tears burned my eyes and goose bumps covered my body as the cold of the room seeped into me.
Steps sounded and a heavy steel door slid open, revealing my husband in all his tall and broad glory.
He dragged a familiar chain behind his body, and in his other hand he carried a black baton, which looked like something that New York police officers might use. He sat down on a chair in front of me, his legs spread and the chain hanging from his hand resting between them. His expression was no longer enraged. It was now cold and calculating, which scared me even more.
“Lorcan—”
“Even on a chain, you look gorgeous, sweet Aislinn. Ahh, that sweet face that hid so many deceitful thoughts from me.”