Page 85 of Redemption

“Just like that?”

I have no intention of going anywhere with this man, but I’m trying to buy myself some time to think.

“No, not just like that.” Sebastian’s head lowers until his face is nuzzling my neck. His grip on my breast tightens. “Why the fuck do you smell like another man, Presley?” He releases his hold on me, only to spin me around and slam me against the wall. “Strip.”

I blink away the spots in my vision. “Excuse me?”

“Fucking strip!” he screams. “You’re going to strip, then you’re going to get in the shower and wash his scent off you. Then, I’m going to fuck every one of your holes to ensure no trace of him is left behind. If you take it like a good girl, then we’ll discuss going home. But if you fight me...” Sebastian takes the gun he was pointing at me and forces it past my lips. “Then, I’m going to blow your fucking brains out, right before I drive to your parents’ ranch and do the same to your boyfriend. Hell, I might take out my dear in-laws, too, just for the hell of it. They did help keep you away from me, after all.”

Bile rises up in my throat when I hear the truth in his statement. Sebastian has every intention of delivering on those promises. My eyes water, and I gag when he shoves the gun farther into my mouth.

“Are you going to be a good girl, Presley?”

I nod as much as I can with this thing in my mouth.

I gasp for air when Sebastian pulls the gun out. His arms straighten, aiming the weapon directly at my heart. “Now, fucking strip.”

I know I only have one chance. I have to get it just right, or I won’t make it out of this alive. I don’t bother trying to hold back my tears. I want him to think I’m still the weak little lamb he tortured for so long. It’s the only chance I have of pulling this off. My hands go to the hem of my shirt. I can see the whites of Sebastian’s eyes as he watches while each new inch of skin is revealed.

Right before I lift the cotton over my breasts, I throw my arm out, flattening my hand and slamming the knife-edge of it through his elbows. Sebastian’s gun slides across the floor as he loses his hold on it. We both lunge for it at the same time. Just as my fingers grip the cool metal, Sebastian sweeps his arm out, pushing it farther out of my reach.

“No!” I scream.

“You’re going to pay for that, you fucking bitch! You’ll be begging for death by the time I’m done with you.”

My limbs are flailing wildly; anything I can do to prevent Sebastian from getting there first, I do it. He grunts and curses each time I make contact, but it doesn’t stop him. When my fingers finally reach the gun again, I act on pure instinct.

I flip the safety off, loop my finger around the trigger, and twist my body to aim the barrel right at my husband’s head. “Don’t fucking move, Sebastian.”

He sits back on his knees, laughing. The man is legitimately cackling, like having a gun pointed at him is the funniest thing in the world.

“Shut up!” I stand up, carefully keeping the gun trained on him.

“Presley, don’t be stupid. You don’t know how to handle that thing. Now, put the dangerous weapon down before you hurt yourself.”

I chuckle, flipping the overhead light on, so he can see my face when I inform him how very wrong he is. “You think I don’t know how to handle a gun?”

One thing my dear husband doesn’t know about me is that I am well-trained in shooting a gun. It’s been a while, but any country girl worth her salt knows how. I can see the moment the doubt registers on Sebastian’s face.

“Uh-uh, I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” I tsk as Sebastian starts to lunge for me. “You will have a bullet between your eyes before you can even blink.”

Sebastian shakes his head. “I don’t believe you.”

“No?” I move the gun lower and shoot it right between his spread legs.

“What the fuck?” Sebastian screams, shielding his crotch with his hands. “You could’ve shot my dick off!”

I smirk. “Don’t tempt me. You and I both know you’d deserve it.”

He pales. “Presley, put the gun down, and we can talk about this.”

“Really?” I quirk my head to the side. “Did you want to talk when you punched me in the face earlier? When you were beating the shit out of me time and time again back in New York? How about when you were raping me? The time for talking is over, Sebastian. Look who has the power in this relationship now. I bet this is pretty emasculating, isn’t it?”

I think I might be a little punch drunk because I could swear I just heard a noise from my bedroom.

His icy blue eyes narrow. “You fucking bitch. You’ll regret this.”

I scoff. “Doubtful.”

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