Page 33 of In the Dark

“You’re covered in his scent, so I know you’re lying to me.” Maxim grinned, his eyes glowing red. “I’m going to have so much fun breaking you.”

“Gee, that sounds great, but I’m gonna have to pass.”

Key grunted as the air rushed out of him. He fell to the floor, his arms wrapping around his waist where Maxim had punched him. He lay there for a few seconds until Maxim grabbed him by the hair again and dragged him up.

“Who runs their security?”

“I only know of someone called Gray.”

“Hmm, I know him very well. Who else?”

“I guess Kelvin?” Kelvin. Oh! Mind linky thing.

Oh! You! Get out of the bathroom and rescue me!

Rescue you from what? My dick?

Haha not funny. Maxim has me and has threatened to torture me. I mean it Kelvin. You need to fucking save me.

Shit! Where are you?

I don’t know. It’s dark and smelly.

“Who else works with them?”

“I don’t know anyone else. I’m new to this whole vampire world.”

“And now you’re lying to me.” Maxim hissed then bit Key’s neck. Hard. Key cried out, the pain almost too much. WhenKelvin bit him, it felt good, really good, but this felt like being stabbed with hot pokers. Maxim threw him to the ground and glared at him as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Your blood tastes like shit.”

“Sorry?” Key clamped his lips shut when Maxim dragged him up again, then backhanded him across the face, knocking Key back to the ground.

The left side of his face erupted in pain and he gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out. He wasn’t going to give Maxim the satisfaction of hearing his cries.

Hurry up. He’s beating the shit out of me.

Gray’s zeroing in on your location now. He’s been watching Maxim and his group since he made an appearance a few days ago. Stay strong. We’ll be there soon.

Key closed his eyes and held back his whimper. He hurt, and he knew Maxim would enjoy hearing it. The look on Maxim’s face said as much. The leer he had as he stared at Key, who was practically naked. He only had on boxer briefs, so Maxim could easily see what he wanted to, and that was Key’s fear.

He was almost naked, so there would hardly be a fight if Maxim wanted to do more than hit him and throw him around.

Curling up, Key stayed still, watching Maxim pace the floor, muttering words Key didn’t understand. Not that he was sure he wanted to. Maxim could be discussing all the ways he would torture and kill him, and who wanted to know that? Key didn’t, that was for sure.

Gotcha.

Key somehow kept his face blank.That was quick. Not that I’m being ungrateful, but I thought it would take longer.

Gray’s just that good and Maxim is just that stupid. He’s taken you to an abandoned manor house, and I bet you’re in the basement.

Why yes, I am, so poof your butt over here and save me.

Five minutes then the team will be in place.

Okay. I can hold out for five more minutes.

Maxim frowned and grabbed his phone, growling when he stared at the screen. Oh, this was not good. It wasn’t good at all. “How?” he screamed at Key. “How did the mother fucker find you so quickly?”

“How should I know? It’s not like I have a hotline to everything they do? I’m new here.”

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