Page 180 of After the Burn

Jonah stepped closer, and the stench coming from him was almost unbearable.

His hand went to the snap of his jeans. “Treat me good, and I might keep you.”

My stomach turned as he reached for me.

I moved. The leather unwrapped from my wrist in a single sharp pull. Jonah barely had time to frown before I slipped behind him and looped it around his throat. Then I yanked it tight, dropping so I was pulling with all my weight.

His hands flew up, and he twisted violently, his enhanced strength almost ripping the strap from my grip. I planted a knee between his shoulder blades and pulled tighter.

He slammed backward, and my spine hit the cage wall. Pain exploded through me, but I held on. Jonah clawed at the leather in desperation and drove an elbow back, catching me in the ribs.

I grunted, but still didn’t let go of him. “Die, you big bastard!”

He lunged, and I let him, then delivered a sharp kick to the back of his knee. He dropped, and I followed him down. I crossed the strap behind his neck and twisted it around my forearm.

His movements became frantic before gradually weakening. He jerked a few times in ugly little spasms, but I kept pulling to make absolutely certain he was dead.

Jonah’s body sagged. I stayed another second, breathing hard, then released the strap.

He collapsed onto the concrete.

I stared down at him and spat. “You fucked with the wrong woman this time.”

I loosened the leather from his neck and re-wrapped it around my wrist, then grabbed the key ring and knife hanging from his belt.

Stepping out of the cage, I shut and locked the door behind me. With a bit of luck, his discovery would take a minute, affording me the chance to rescue Lila and escape with her and Wren.

I tensed up when the garage door opened, but eased when I noticed Wren slipping in.

She froze at the sight of me. “I was coming to break you out. I should’ve known it wouldn’t be necessary. Mom could never keep you in your playpen as a baby.” Wren peered into my cage. “Damn, I only left you alone for a few hours.”

I shrugged. “Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”

She looked at the knife at my waist, then reached beneath her shirt.

“I found these.” Wren held two wicked-looking daggers. “Looks like I get to keep them as a set.”

“Where the hell did you get those?”

“Acme. Beep. Beep.”

I smirked. “You’re one badass bitch.”

“No shit.” Her expression shifted. “I found where the women sleep when they’re not entertaining.”

“Lila?”

“No.”

My chest tightened. “Did you question anyone?”

“One woman remembers her.”

“Alive?” I held my breath.

Wren hesitated, and that was enough to make my stomach drop. “Some men came in, and she clammed up.”

“Did you find out anything else?”