Page 225 of Lethal King

Pretending that I’m still unconscious is my only advantage right now.

My hands are tied behind my back. My ankles are bound to the legs of some thick chair. I can’t see the other men in the room, but I can feel them.

If I had to guess, I’d say there were about four guards. They watch me as Leander’s reflection talks to someone I can’t see or hear.

“Give her a little slap,” someone barks.

The barrel drops from beneath my chin and I let my neck snap back down.

“Boss said not to touch her,” a closer voice warns.

“Fuck the boss,” the other voice snaps. “Her little friend killed my friends. I’m not going to stand around—”

“Stop,” a hushed voice urges. “He’s coming.”

In the distance, I hear footsteps. They clop over a wooden surface before being muffled by the carpet.

Leander is finally coming. But I wish he wasn’t. I want these buffoons to keep talking. They’re bolstering my hope.

Is Tytus still alive? Do they want to punish me because they didn’t get a chance to punish him?

Please.

“Is she awake?”

Leander’s voice is like nails on a chalkboard. The hairs on my forearms rise.

This is the man who killed my father.

Fucking hell.

I want to thrash and squirm and break out of my restraints so I can tear his throat out with my teeth. But I know it’s no use.

I’ll only give away my sole advantage.

“Doesn’t look like it, sir,” the deep voice beside me says.

“Call the doctor, then. I want her awake.”

The fear I spotted in his face has leaked into his words. His voice is shaky with a barely contained concern.

I need to know what he’s so worried about. Is it that Tytus is still alive?

… Or is it that Rian already knows about what’s happened?

My clenched heart flutters.

“Yes, sir.”

A radio crackles as the deep voice follows Leander’s orders. I try to hold back my sneer and steady my broken heart.

Someone might be coming to save me. But right now, I’m on my own.

“Wake up, my beautiful bride,” Leander’s hot breath sends a cold shiver up my spine. I can feel him leering over me. I can sense the heat hiding just beneath his pants. He’s placed his crotch in my face. I should make him pay for it.

“The doctor is on his way.”

“Good,” Leander says. Crouching down, he brushes the back of his hand against my cheek.