Page 134 of The Code of You

"What?” Nathan turned on him. "Give up? She knows something. And I’m going to pull it out of her.”

"But this is dangerous. She could die.”

A smile crossed Nathan’s face. "That’s what makes it interesting. We don’t want just any answers. We want to shake the truth loose from her bones.”

He touched the wire to my arm. Electricity tore through my body like liquid fire. My back arched as if an invisible fist had grabbed my spine. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, while the current raced through my nerves.

Then I collapsed, shaking all over. My skin burned where the wire had touched it.

"That was just a taste,” Nathan said. "Next time it lasts longer.”

I couldn’t answer. My vocal cords wouldn’t respond. Everything in me was still convulsing.

"Where is he?”

I shook my head weakly, tears on my face, my lips pressed together.

Nathan sighed. "Again.”

I couldn’t scream. My throat had closed. "Please don’t,” I breathed.

"Well?” Nathan’s voice came to me as if through fog.

I forced my head up. My vision was blurred, but I kept my eyes on him. I stared him down with every piece of hate I had left.

"Still nothing to say?”

I spat blood and saliva in his face.

Nathan wiped it away and smiled. "Perfect. I love it when they fight back.” Then he reached for another tool. Something metal caught the weak light. "This will be interesting.”

Pliers. Rusted, with serrated edges.

"Teeth are so sensitive,” he said, thoughtful. "And so important for a pretty smile.”

Panic tore through me. "No . . . please . . .”

"Then you better talk.” He moved closer, pliers in hand. "Where is your friend?”

I pressed my lips together and shook my head.

"Open your mouth.”

"Nathan, stop. This is too much,” the younger one called out.

But Nathan only grinned. "Then look away. I want to enjoy the moment she finally breaks.” He turned back to me. "Open up.”

I refused. The bigger one grabbed my chin and squeezed. His fingers dug into my cheeks, forcing my jaw apart.

"There we go.” Nathan brought the pliers to my mouth. Metal touched my teeth.

"Last chance,” he murmured.

I looked him straight in the eyes and gathered everything—my courage, all my contradictory feelings for Neo, all my hatred for the men hurting me.

"Go to hell.” The words came out barely intelligible.

Nathan smiled. "Ladies first.”