I could feel every part of me descending into a primal fear. My heart boomed in my chest. My own natural chemicals flooded me—adrenaline and something else. Whatever my body filled up with when shit was bad. My nervous system went haywire, popping and exploding like fireworks.
Panic overloaded my brain. I could think of no way out, no possibility of escape. I was coming to the realization that I would have to deal with whatever came my way, and there was nothing I could do about it.
He put the alcohol and cloth up.
For several minutes, he perused the various objects he’d cleaned. The whole time, dread moved through me.
There’s no way out of this.
I shook in those handcuffs.
God, I complained a lot about my life, but damn. . .things can surely be worse.
I should have been happy with the money I was getting. I shouldn’t have dreamed. Shouldn’t have thought that I was strong enough to make big moves in this criminal world. If I had just played my position and kept my ass twerking on the stage.
God. . .just. . .please watch over my brother, Tate.
I wished I could see him one more time.
He’s going to be a star, either on the basketball court or in some court of law, or a hospital.
Tate was going places. I just thought. . .I just dreamed that I would help him get there. That some part of my life would have meaning.
God, if there is a heaven, I would like to go. Could you give me a break? Life was already hell.
Sorrow sunk my chest in.
With my life, I doubted I would make it to heaven.
My throat went dry.
Maybe I’m already dead and in hell right now.
Cain walked over with a long knife. “Do you know what they call this?”
Fuck. It’s starting.
He got in front of me and traced the line of my collarbone with the handle. “This is called a chef’s knife.”
Maybe I can keep him talking.
“Why do they call it that?”
“Because it’s sturdy and heavy.” He placed the knife in front of my face and twisted it around.
I took it in and hated to admit that it was a gorgeous knife. The handle was this elegant dark wood carved in roses.
The blade was shiny steel and curved at the sharpened tip. Yet, the artistic quality didn’t stop there. There was a gorgeous flower pattern decorated the blade.
Cain licked his lips. “Isn’t it pretty?”
“Yes.”
“This is forty-eight layers of stunning stainless steel. The pattern on the blade is made from dipping it into acid until it garners the intended design.”
“I. . .think this knife is too pretty to get dirty with blood.”
He smiled. “One must never fear getting a proper chef knife dirty.”
“Sometimes. . .fear isn’t so bad.” I swallowed.
“I love your sense of humor.”
“Then I must admit that my sense of humor will leave if you cut me.”
“But, other emotions will come.” I inhaled. “And I’m interested to see those too.”
“Cain. . .please.”
“Fuck.” He shook his head. “I still didn’t explain why they call it a chef knife.”
How do I save myself?
He touched the tip of the knife to the center of my chin and kept it there. “Chef knives are great because you can chop herbs, slice vegetables, as well as dice tougher items like meat and fish.”
I gazed down at the knife. “That’s an a-amazing fact.”
He slid the tip of the knife down under my chin.
I tried to move.
He wagged his finger. “I would stay still if I were you.”
I froze.
He slipped the tip down to my neck and gently pressed it against my throat. “The chef knife brings a beauty to the art of chopping vegetables.”
I shivered. “I can. . .see that.”
He moved the knife away.
I exhaled.
He turned the knife in his hand. “So I start with the chef knife to bring beauty to this situation.”
“Maybe we don’t need to bring this much beauty.” I shook. “I think it might be too much beauty, in fact.”
“I disagree.” He brought the knife back to me and placed the blade on my shoulder.
I froze.
“I must apologize.” He stared at my shoulder. “I’m taking my time because I’m so eager.”
“I don’t want to die this way.”
“You’ll do more than die tonight. This will be a journey through pain and pleasure.” And then he slowly slipped the cold blade down the side of my body. Against my will, heat trailed wherever he touched.
“I can’t wait to see what noises you will make.” Walking around me, he slipped the blade along my waist, delivering shivers through my body. And unfortunately, those shivers weren’t all from fear. Some of it came from dark and twisted desire.
No.
I pushed through the sensations of warmth and any other goodness that blade was bringing. My focus lay on the hand gripping the knife. “Cain, I would spend my life paying you back—”