Page 17 of Pretty Threats

I wonder if War realizes how close Killian is to attacking him.

War pulls a chain through the porthole and, at the end, there’s a black padded cuff. My mind kind of dissolves. The next thing I know it’s around my right wrist. I stare at my shackle. What is happening? Who are these guys? Why do they need slave cuffs on their bedroom walls?

“Let’s go, Killer. Show of good faith.”

My gaze rises to Killian. He doesn’t hesitate. Apparently, he’s already decided he’s going along with this. Sitting on the bed next to me, he holds out his left arm. His hostile expression is trained on his massive housemate.

“Gonna buy me a gold necklace?” he says in a surly tone.

War’s dark smirk is not reassuring. “Sure, if you’re a good boy.”

“Yeah,” Killian says slowly. “I may kill you for this.”

War’s dark gaze rises to Killian’s face as he locks his wrist in the cuff. “Then, no gold necklace for you.”

They’re fucking with each other? Half joking? When lives are at stake?

War straightens and goes to a wardrobe that matches the dresser. He opens it and digs out a plastic monitor like you’d use for babies. He sets it on the nightstand and plugs it in.

“J’s a light sleeper, so I’ll put the receiver next to his head. If you gotta take a piss or she does, wake his ass up. I’ll leave the shackle key with him.”

War starts to walk toward the door and then turns back, his expression grave. “Killian, Jamie’s right. We can still sort this, so don’t strangle him with that chain when he comes to un-cuff you. Remember who his cousin is.”

“I haven’t forgotten a thing. I never do.” Killian’s voice is smooth and hard, like always.

War shrugs. “Bring it, then. I’ll be ready.”

Is he taunting Killian into trying to kill him? What the hell is happening?

Killian exhales, and War strides out of the room.

We’re silent for a few moments, and the only sound is my sniffles as I try to pull myself together.

When I have half a handle on my emotions, I say, “So, they’re going to kill you, too? Why? Because you made a mistake and sent me the text message to come over?”

“They don’t want to kill me. Or you.” He shoves the covers down and then maneuvers them over our bodies. His free arm, which is freezing cold, brushes my stomach, sending tingling sensations through me.

“They locked me up because they think I might take off while they sleep.”

That’s reassuring to hear. I know Killian doesn’t want to kill me, but from things Marianne said, he’s spent months working hard to get this job. It’s obviously very important to him.

“When you said in person… I thought you meant to come right then. You texted right back so I knew you were awake.”

“Don’t feel guilty for something that’s not your fault. That typo is on me, not you.” Although his tone is terse, now that I know his anger isn’t directed at me it’s easier to breathe.

He shifts positions, causing the mattress to dip. While he’s on his side facing me, his left arm is raised. He closes his fist around the chain and pulls it. Once the slack is gone, my arm raises. It’s not two separate chains as I thought. Our arms are connected.

“They’re lucky,” he whispers. “If my chain was just hooked to the drywall, I probably could’ve torn the whole bolt from the wall.” He sucks his lips between his teeth.

The wild thump of my heart has started to slow now that we’re alone. Which should not be the case. He’s a sociopath, and most of the time, he’s the person I have to be afraid of. But tonight, he’s not the most dangerous threat, and I’m glad he didn’t leave me chained in this room alone.

The silk-covered feather duvet is soft and warm. If I weren’t so scared, the bed would feel good.

“I don’t understand why they chained you,” I say. “If I’d been chained to the wall and you didn’t have the key, you couldn’t have taken me. So, why not let you leave if you want to? I’m the prisoner. Are they thinking you’d go to get your brothers to help you?”

“No,” he says, exhaling a small sound of amusement. “That would be complicated. I almost want to try it, just to watch the chaos unfold.” There’s an eerie quality to his short laugh.

My head tilts as the pieces start to click into place. “They think if you weren’t cuffed with me, you might get the key while they slept to unlock me and take me with you?”

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