Page 38 of Sweet Torment

“We were looking for someone specific,” Carter snaps.

I laugh, my voice mocking. “Someone who doesn’t want you?” It’s too easy to jab at the wound, too tempting. I want to hurt someone for this. For the years stolen from me. For being forced into my first heat in the woods with assholes who think I’m a trophy.

Nathaniel doesn’t blink. He lifts his glass, the edge of his mouth tipping into an easy smile. “You don’t want us… yet.” He takes a sip of wine, then cuts into his steak.

I lean forward. “I’ll never want you.”

He just continues to smile. “You’ll see.”

Mav finally speaks, his voice deeper than I realized. “We’ve watched your footage from the refuge. Hours of it.”

The reminder of Dr. Montgomery’s surveillance chills me. And the fact that these dingalings have watched it irks me. I don’t even know what kind of footage exists. “Creepy,” I mutter.

“Training, hunting, river baths…” Carter’s grin widens. “Impressive form. You’re very thorough.”

Nathaniel leans in, his gaze catching mine. “And then you killed four women after we’d already been chosen to help you through your heat. Your brutality is something we find appealing.” The curve of his mouth dares me to flinch. I don’t.

“They had it coming.”

“No argument there.” He sips his wine. “Whitney was a pain in the ass. Her friends were worse.”

“Speaking of appealing,” Carter’s gaze slides over me. “You’re in good shape. Although…” He tilts his head. “A bit small up top for my taste.”

“That’s fair,” I shoot back with a sweet smile. “You looked a bit small down below for mine.”

He chokes on his wine. Mav actually cracks a smile, a flash of white teeth in the low light.

“Would you like a closer look?” Carter recovers, his grin wicked. “Happy to prove you wrong.”

“The rules,” Nathaniel cuts in. “After dinner, you get a three-hour head start. You’ll have supplies for basic survival. We get the same kit.”

“Weapons?”

“Knife. Small bow. Same as us.”

“Boundaries will be respected unless you cross the line.” Challenge flashes in his eyes. “Any violence will be met in kind.” He looks at me like he’s hoping I’ll give him an excuse.

“Why would I believe you?”

“Because we signed a contract, too,” Carter says.

“I have a mate.” Four, actually.

They laugh.

“Weller,” Nathaniel says. “We’ve met him. A little uptight, isn’t he?”

Carter shrugs, his lips curling. “If we decide to keep you, he’ll never see you again. Distance weakens bonds. It’ll fade.”

Keeping me isn’t on the table, is it?

“You’re wrong.”

Mav speaks. “We can take as much time as we need to find out. And if he’s a problem…” His eyes gleam, the implication hanging in the air. “There are ways to handle that.”

He’s threatening Weller. I hate it.

But Weller isn’t here. None of them are.