Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“It’s time for you girls to go for a swim.” Bane stops at the edge of the lake.
The men holding Rayne and I are dressed in suits, but they’ll be the ones dragging us into the water and holding us down. Bane would never get his clothes wet.
I know this is one of the punishments he enjoyed when I was with him. He relished watching the panic set in when my head was held underwater.
Over the years, I stopped fighting. I didn’t want to give him the pleasure of watching me struggle, so I learned to surrender. There’s bliss in the darkness. Once you finally let go and accept that you’re going to die, it’s easy to just let it happen.
It angered him, and once I was pulled out of the water, I would be beaten and raped, over and over, until I begged for mercy. Then he would return me to my father, who would abuse me some more.
This time, I won’t be begging.
This time, I’m ready to die.
I’ve found two emotions I never thought I’d experience in this life—happiness and love.
Now I know what it’s like to feel cared for, I’d willingly take my final breath. But it means I would have to give up on Rayne. My only hope is I can keep Bane occupied until Dante can find us. I’ve no doubt he’s on his way. He will stop at nothing to ensure our safety. If I can keep Bane’s focus on me, then maybe Rayne will be saved, and at least one of us will find their happy ever after.
I turn to Bane, who’s still standing on the lakeside, and shout. “You can try, but you’ll never break me. Go on. Give it your best shot, you fucking bastard.”
I’m dunked under the water by the guards holding me, and when I’m lifted again, I look back at Bane with a smile on my face. The rage in his expression is clear. He was expecting me to plead for my life. He didn’t anticipate the strength I’ve garnered over the years.
After I ran away from my father and Bane, I didn’t think I would ever be able to face Bane again. Even the night at the gala, I was convinced I would break down in front of him, but the strength and support I got from Dante and Rayne pulled me through. I’m stronger now than I’ve ever been.
I’m shocked when Bane wades into the water and grips my hair. I know he doesn’t like his suits to get wet, so I must have riled him. I can hear Rayne screaming my name, but I focus solely on the man who’s going to kill me.
“You’re nothing but a fucking disgrace,” Bane tells me, but his venom no longer hits the mark. I’m shielded by the acceptance that I’m going to die.
“I’m none of the things you’ve ever called me. You may think you’re in control, Bane, but you’re not. There will never be another moment when you make me feel worthless by threatening to take my life.”
His anger explodes, and his hand shoves my head under the water while the guards hold me steady. I don’t fight. Instead, I close my eyes and hold my breath. If he holds me under long enough, I can drift away. Rayne’s screams are muffled now. I pray that Dante can get here before Bane turns his attention to her.
When the water finally overwhelms me and enters my lungs, blackness crowds my vision as dizziness sets in. I’ve been here so many times before. But in the past, Bane would have his men drag me back up and then he’d rape me. This time, though, I know he wants me dead.
I feel an emptiness spreading through me. It’s like a million ants crawling from nerve to nerve, stealing my life. Finally, I’ll be free. Blinking, I try to fight the tears, but they fall anyway. I wouldn’t want Bane to see them staining my cheeks, so I’m thankful for the water washing them away. I don’t want to show any weakness to the man who’s ending my life. I’m not going to let him win the final round.
I’m not a victim anymore.
I’m a survivor.
Suddenly, my head is no longer being forced into the depths, and the hands that were gripping me relinquish their hold. Coughing and spluttering, I take my first breath of air and notice a metallic flavor coating my tongue. When I open my eyes, there’s blood staining the water, and I can see dead bodies floating around me. The guards who helped Bane are no longer alive.
I feel arms wrap around my waist, and as I start to wonder what’s going on, I’m lifted from the water and draped in a blanket. When I finally manage to look up at the person carrying me, I’m met with the ice-blue eyes of the only man who can offer me solace. Dante Savage.