Chloe's grip clamped around my throat, stealing my breath, draining the air from my lungs.
Her crimson eyes bore into mine, her voice venomous and unhinged. "Caleb, don't think I won't end you! You're nothing but the Lynn pack's mutt." She slammed me to the ground, champagne glass shards slicing into my skin, carving countless tiny wounds. Pain jolted through me as she yanked my hair. "When I say kneel, you kneel! When I say die, you die!"
Chloe flashed a twisted smile. "But today," she said, patting my cheek, "I'm not quite ready to let you die." She leaned closer. "Such a fun toy-how could I let you go so easily, huh?"
Staring at her, inches away, I remembered that day. Miles had sent me a video, his tone smug.
"I just told Chloe that Rusty was scary, and she skinned him alive."
"What if I tell her you're scary too? Think she'll skin you next?"
"Hilarious, right?"
"You're the Lynn pack's so-called mate, but you're lower than the help."
Now, locking eyes with Chloe, a metallic taste rose in my throat. As she raised her hand to slap me again, I spat blood in her face.
Her expression flickered from shock to disgust. I grinned. "Yeah, Chloe. How could you die so soon?" I mimicked her tone, chuckling. "This game's too fun to end early."
I came back for a reason. I'd never let Lynn Business off the hook. Those who killed Rusty-they'd pay, one by one.
Rusty's death was brutal. How could I let them walk?
Seeing my defiance, Chloe suddenly released my hair, wiping the blood from her face. "You're right. Some things need slow torment." She met my gaze. "Since you're back, let's play."
She didn't look at me again, barking at the enforcers, "Keep an eye on him. Don't let him slip away."
Then, like flipping a switch, Chloe turned soft, tending to Miles. "Does it hurt?"
She gently wiped his tears. "Let's get you to a private room."
Miles leaned into her, eyes red. "With you here, it doesn't hurt. With you," he choked out, "I'm not afraid of anything."
I watched Chloe guide Miles out, collapsing to the floor, my wounds stinging. The crowd of opportunists started yapping.
"No clue where this trash came from, daring to hurt Chloe. You're lucky she didn't rip you apart-scram!"
"Yeah! I heard you were just some orphan Walter dragged in. He raised you, and you repay him by going after Miles? You deserved to be kicked out."
"Speaking of," one smirked, pulling out his phone, "I still got that video of your dog."
He opened his gallery, pulling up the torture video.
Others crowded around, eager. "Lemme see!"
"I wanna see too!"
