Page 72 of Storm's Deliverance

I hold his gaze. “No.”

His voice rises. “You did.”

He fists my hair, wrenching my head backwards. Pain screams through my scalp. “You made them choose you over me.”

Despite everything, I laugh. “They didn’t choose. They finally saw who you really are.”

His grip tightens. “You were supposed to love me.”

“I pitied you,” I spit.

His hand lashes out, and pain bursts across my cheek. I taste blood again, but I don’t cry, I don’t beg, and I don’t lower my eyes, because he isn’t looking at the woman he left bleeding on this floor months ago. He’s looking at Ghost’s daughter, Star’s daughter; a Black Heart MC.

He strikes me again, and I smile through split lips. “That all you’ve got?” I challenge.

His breathing turns ragged. “You’re supposed to be afraid.”

“I was.” I stare straight into his eyes. “But then I remembered who the fuck I am.” His fist freezes. “I survived you once and I’ll fucking survive you again.”

Rage twists his features before he storms out of the bedroom.

Good. Lose your temper. Stop thinking. Because while you’re busy trying to break me, I’m watching. I’m watching where you dropped your keys. Watching where you left your phone. You still think I’m broken. You still think I’m the frightened girl you chained to this radiator. You’re wrong.

Slowly and carefully. I edge closer to the radiator.The chain scrapes across the floor;too loud.I freeze.He doesn’t react.Another inch.The charging cable stretches.Come on...please. The phone slips from the bedside table,landing with a dull thud.He keeps pacing, talking to himself. He doesn’t hear it.I hook it with my foot,dragging it closer.Every movement sends pain ripping through my shoulder. I grit my teeth, ignoring it.My fingertips brush cold glass, andthe screen lights up.Locked.Fuck.Think.Emergency.I tap it.Options appear.One catches my eye.Emergency text.Location.My thumb trembles.Please,please work.I press send, andthe phone vibrates once.

Location sent.

Relief crashes through me so hard I almost sob.Footsteps move toward me, too close.I shove the phone beneath the shredded armchair just as Zeke walks back into the room.He smiles.Cold, patient and predatory.

“So...”He raises the gun.“Now...”He tilts his head.“Where were we?”