Page 96 of Grayson’s Challenge

Abel put his hand on her leg, and she tried to shake it off, kicking her legs toward him. But she didn’t hit her target.

“A veritable wildcat, just like your mother. I’m gonna enjoy taming you.” He looked toward the door. “I would have already fucked you, but what’s the fun in it when you’re not conscious for it?”

Disgust rose inside her. He was going to rape her, while she was chained and helpless.

“Besides, I’d like for my men to watch so they can learn how to punish their enemies.” He leaned in. “And maybe I’ll let them take turns.”

She spit in his face. “Over my dead body!”

“Yeah,” he said, drawing out the word, “about that. I’m not planning on killing you, but the dead man’s blood will keep you weak and subdued. Worked on your father. I wouldn’t want you to die while I’m torturing you. That would be too easy.”

“You’re a sick bastard!” Evil through and through. She couldn’t believe that he and Cain were brothers. They were nothing alike. Abel possessed nothing of Cain’s compassion.

“Frankly, I don’t care what you think of me. All that matters is that Cain and Faye will suffer knowing what I’ll be doing to you.” He pulled a cell phone from his pocket and showed it to her. “Really nifty, these things. My men will video us so I can let your parents know that you’re still alive.”

Monique shuddered, but tried not to show it outwardly. She had no intention of letting Abel know that she was truly scared now. The thought of her parents and Grayson seeing her being raped by Abel and his men… no, she couldn’t let that happen. It would break Grayson’s heart to know that he couldn’t save his blood-bonded mate. She had to stop Abel.

“Please,” she begged now. “I won’t put up a fight, as long as you don’t film it.”

“Well, look at that. Nice to know how to push your buttons.” He looked toward the open door. “Rufus!”

A moment later, Rufus, whom she recognized from his photo, appeared in the door.

“Is Matt back?”

Rufus shook his head. “No. I have a feeling that he got in trouble.”

“Hmm.” Abel contemplated something for a moment. “Who’s guarding the house?”

“Jimmy, Elvis, and Craig,” Rufus replied.

“Okay, I need to speak to William.” He got up from the bed. “In the meantime, get her ready. Cut the clothes off her if necessary.”

Abel stalked out of the room, leaving the door open, while Rufus approached the bed.

Monique held her breath, apprehension paralyzing her. From the hallway, a sound drifted to her.

Cuckoo, cuckoo…

A cuckoo clock. What were the odds of more than one house in San Francisco having a cuckoo clock?

“Well, let’s get these things off you,” Rufus said with a grin, clearly eager to please his boss.

“Fuck you!” Monique cursed.

When he started by taking off her shoes then proceeding to her pants, she didn’t fight him. Instead, she used all her energy to send a message to Grayson.

Grayson, William kidnapped me. I know where Abel is keeping me. Grayson, can you hear me?

With bated breath she waited, while Rufus stripped her of her pants. His lascivious look didn’t escape her attention, but she couldn’t waste her energy on that now. She needed to get through to Grayson.

Grayson?

Monique! Monique, babe!

Relief at hearing her blood-bonded mate’s message reverberating in her mind, she closed her eyes.

Abel is keeping me chained in the Russian Hill house my parents rented. Please, hurry! He’s planning to rape me. Grayson, please hurry.