Page 85 of Her Devoted HERO

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She ached all over. She smelled the distinct odor of blood, decaying flesh, and bleach. She kept her eyes closed, wanting to take in as much information as her other senses could, without alerting the killer that she was awake.

“I know you’re awake.”

She didn’t move. Her hands were tied behind her. Her shoulders felt like they were being ripped out their sockets.

“You snore.”

She so didn’t snore!

She felt the toe of a shoe or boot pushing at her hip, rocking her back and forth.

“Open your eyes, or I’ll kick you.”

She kept her eyes closed.

The shoe stopped prodding her. She heard steps, then a meaty thud.

“Ahhhhhh!” a man screamed. Her eyes shot open.

“I knew you were awake.”

Kenna looked up into the nondescript face of a monster. He was laughing. He kicked Buddy again, and this time her friend just groaned in pain.

“Get up, Kenna. I have a special seat for you.”

“I’m not going to do one goddamn thing you ask. My son is safe,” she ground out.

“But you like him, don’t you? He likes you. He bought a company for you. You don’t want to see good ole Buddy Finch hurt, now do you? Get in the fucking chair!”

“Don’t do it,” Buddy gasped. The man reared back and kicked Buddy in his head, and he slumped into silence.

“Now get in the chair.” The monster pointed to a ladderback chair in the middle of the room. It was dim. There were mounds of what looked like trash pushed up against two of the walls, all of it covered in clear plastic. She looked closer and saw the outline of a human hand pressed up against one of the plastic tarps.

This was it. Her future.

“I said. Get in the chair.”

“You’re not very bright, are you? Once again, you’ve lost your leverage.”

Go big or go home.

“What did you say to me?” There was the raspy and creepy tone of voice again.

“That was a killing blow,” Kenna said disgustedly. “Now you’re going to kill me. I’m not going to do a goddamn thing that you tell me to do.”

She saw his eyes dart to where Buddy was lying on the floor. He looked unsure. She’d scored a point.

“He’s not dead, you bitch,” the man snarled at her.

“If he’s not dead now, he will be shortly. Look at him, he’s going to aspirate on his own vomit.” She said it like she didn’t care.

“What?”

“He’s going to choke. He’s going to choke on his own vomit and die.” Kenna’s tone was filled with derision.

Killer boy took three long steps toward her and swung. She didn’t even see his fist coming. She’d been propped up on her shoulder, but now she was laid out flat, her ears ringing, blood dripping from her nose.