Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 74655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
The sick fucking monster.
I roll to my side and spit out the blood filling my mouth.
I don’t think I can move, I honestly don’t.
I don’t know how long I’ve been laying here, it feels like they only just left but I know they didn’t. It’s been a few hours. They’ll be back soon, to finish the job. And there is little I can do about it.
I can’t fight anymore.
I fought before, though. I fought and clawed and kicked and punched. It was useless, and it only made them angrier, but I wasn’t going down without a fight.
Not me.
Not Charlie.
The door opens, and I can’t even lift my head to see who it is, I want to, but I can’t.
I can’t feel anything anymore.
“Well, not so mouthy now, are you?”
It’s one of his men. I don’t know which one. I don’t care.
“Your father sent us in here, to have our fun before he ends you. Which one of you boys wants to go first?”
No.
God.
No.
Not while I can’t even fight.
I’d rather die the most painful death, then to have someone violate me when I can’t do anything to stop it.
A hand goes to my pants, and starts tugging them down. Another fondles my broken breast. I try to slap them away, but my body won’t move, no matter how hard I beg it to.
“Sweet little body, should have fucked her before he made her look like this.”
“I don’t know, I like a bit of blood. I’ll like it even more if she screams while I fuck her.”
God.
Please help me.
“Out.”
The words come from a familiar voice, and for a second, I try to figure out who it belongs to.
“Shanks sent us in here to...”
“He just told me it’s my turn first, now get the fuck out before I tell him you’re arguing with me.”
The hands that were groping my body leave it, and I hear a few muttered curse words before the door slams. I roll to my side and look over, and through my hazy vision I see Slater. And my heart swells.
Slater.
I forgot about Slater.
He comes and kneels down by my side, lifting my head into his hands. “Fuck. Charlie.”
“Slater,” I croak.
“Goin’ to get you out of here, but you have to do everything I say, ok? Got Koda waiting, we’ll get you safe, and to a hospital.”
Koda?
He’s waiting?
Pain curls in my heart, but I push it back.
I have to get out of here.
So for now, I have to focus.
-24-
NOW – CHARLIE
“You have to scream, Charlie, like I’m in here hurting you. If you don’t, he’ll get suspicious,” Slater tells me, pulling me to my feet.
I nod, and then I scream. I scream and beg him to stop. All while he does his best to pull me together so I can walk out of here. It’s not going to be easy. I’m battered, and broken, and bruised, and the idea of running if I have to, makes me feel ill. If it comes down to it, I’m not sure I have the strength to run, or hide, or fight.
So, there is a good chance I’m not getting out of here.
“Shut up,” Slater roars, and then nods at me, so I can stop screaming.
“Good,” he murmurs. “He trusts me, so I can get you out of here, but-”
Gunshot rings out.
Loud.
Crazy.
Almost machine gun sounding.
Slater’s head whips around, and he listens, eyes intent. There is yelling, the insane kind, orders, roars of pain, demands, and threats. It all blends together in one big mix that makes it hard to make out what’s happening, but whatever is happening, it is bad. Even I know that, just purely because of the sound.
“Shit,” Slater growls. “Shit. Mafia.”
Mafia?
Oh God.
Already?
I look at him, desperately. “Slater?” I whisper.
“Safest place for you, is here, Charlie. I’ll lock the door, nobody will get in. I’ll make sure Koda knows where you are. But I have to go out there, it’s a war, a blood bath. I promise you, I’ll get you out.”
I grab onto his arm, swaying. “If you die...”
“I won’t die, I’ll make sure you get out, do you hear me?”
“But...”
He grabs my chin in his hands. “This is our chance, Charlie. Yours, mine, Koda’s, Ellie’s...this is our chance to rid the world of Benjamin Masters once and for all. Gotta understand, I need to be out there.”
My knees tremble.
But, oh, do I understand that better than anyone.
Slater pulls out his phone, handing it to me. “If, for some small chance, I don’t come back. Call someone.”
He gives me the address and location that I’m in, the code for the lock on the outside of the door, and a gun. Then he gives me one, last look, and disappears. I hear the click of the lock, and breathe a little relief knowing at least in here, I’m safe.
For now.
The sounds of gun fire continue, and distress catches my heart. I cover my ears, clenching my eyes shut, and try to block it out. The agonized roars of wounded men, and the yelling, and the sounds of death still manage to penetrate.