AustinI ease the pressure while looking into her stark, brown eyes. They’re flaked with gold and hold an entire world I know nothing about. I only know the bad parts and I know she’s unafraid. She may be the only person who doesn’t fear me. It’s one of the reasons I believe the stories she’s told me. Her lack of fear could only come from a place that’s lived with ongoing terror. I had the same demeanor when Victor brought me here. Nothing done to me could be worse than what I had already survived. She’s like me—a survivor. Her brother won’t be the end of her. His death will bring her freedom. No, I won’t kill her even if the thought of squeezing her throat until she’s unconscious has my cock going rock hard. The biggest problem is I don’t trust myself to stop before it’s too late and that would ruin my plans. Yeah, the old Austin is still here and scarier than ever.I work on her shoulder connecting the tapestry to a skeletal arm matching the one on her ass. She inhales slowly and gr

MelinaVery slowly his eyes change. They no longer appear cold. It’s like he’s seeing me for the first time, and his mouth widens into a full grin. “Where has your feisty side been hiding?”That’s all it takes for me to unleash. I hit and kick then bite his arm until I taste blood. The hard slap he gives my jaw jars my teeth. It doesn’t matter, I keep fighting.“Need help, boss?”I barely hear the words. I’m going to kill Austin or die trying. His hand in my hair and arm around my throat cutting off my air finally stops me. He shifts his body so my back is to his front, pulls me against him, and continues squeezing until I have no oxygen. It’s impossible to fight when you can’t breathe.“You finished?” he whispers gruffly.All I can do is nod. He lets me go and I fall to my knees inhaling air like it’s chocolate. Slowly, I glance up. He doesn’t even look angry. His hand comes down in front of me. “Come on, tiger, let’s get inside. My guards are having a field day.”I look behind us an

MelinaAustin won’t even give me a pity fuck when he knows I’m going to die. I lay in the dark feeling sorry for myself. I really need to suck it up. Suck up the disappointment called life. Suck up the fact that I will die and no one will care.To make this entire day worse, I turned on the flashlight and the batteries failed within two minutes. If I’m lucky, I’ll die down here tonight just like the flashlight batteries. I could probably tear the blanket and fashion a noose. That would work if I wasn’t a chicken shit. I’ve thought of suicide most of my life and have never been able to take that final step. Now is no different. After yawning and trying to find a comfortable position to sleep, I manage to let the world fade and take me into nightmares.The bright overhead light startles me awake sometime later. I blink and try to focus. Same damn basement and it feels like the same damn night. Austin walks closer and bends down to release me from the chain. I’m waiting for him to say so

AustinHoly fuck I’m out of my league. The escorts I pay agree to my deviance. I’d go to jail if I picked up a woman in a bar and beat the fuck out of her. Melina begged and I delivered my soul on a platter for her taking. The fucking soul I didn’t know I have.Victor encouraged my sexual deviance. He fired the flames by providing women who could handle me. I paid exorbitant amounts of money to the escorts and they always came back for more. Everyone was happy, or so I made Victor believe. The truth is, I hated the women and only used them to relieve the pressure in my balls. I hated that I couldn’t have a normal relationship.Melina takes away the revulsion I’ve lived with since I was a teenager. I’ve only given her pain and darkness while taking so much. And still she wanted me and never shied away from the beast. Unafraid, she also trusted her life within my hands. The filthy hands of a killer.I’m stunned when she wiggles beside me, slowly lifts my hand, and draws it to her mouth.

MelinaI obediently follow Austin upstairs. It’s day five and I’m sure my time is up. I haven’t said a word to Austin since he left me in the basement after our fight. He’s talked minimally, which helps. I’ve eaten little food and complied stiffly when he checks the tattoo. The damn thing itches, and he’s lucky I haven’t scratched the ink from my skin.The smell of dinner fills the kitchen when we walk through the door. The table is set for two. I ignore it and head to the master bath. With a shrug, I lift my right arm and pull the T-shirt off. In the mirror, my olive skin is pale. The eyes peering back at me are dead with no hope.Austin stands behind me. I ignore the ink on my breast like I’ve ignored it these past five days. He washes my back, ass, and lastly, my breast. The water is warm and should be soothing, but it’s not. I impatiently wait for him to apply the ointment so we can end this charade.“You’ll be eating dinner with me tonight,” he says after he’s finished. “You’ve h