Page 56 of Kai's Hunger

“Why are you so interested in them?” It was time to get some answers of my own. “What do you care what they do?”

“They’ve become a rather important project of mine. A very personal project.”

Project? Nothing sinister about that. God. “Yeah, see, that’s super creepy.” I curled my lip to show my distaste. “A grown man, focusing so much time and energy on a family that—by all accounts—this town looks up to. Admires.” I narrowed my gaze. “Almost like you have a grudge against them. Why is that, Mr. Patterson?”

He slowly got to his feet. “Doctor Patterson,” he corrected me, moving slowly around the side of the desk. When he was standing in front of me, caging me in and purposefully making me feel cornered, he warned, “You should address me properly.”

“Doctor Patterson,” I said, using his name like a slur. “What is your specialty exactly?”

“I’m researching tissue regeneration in animals,” he answered, his entire face filled with excitement. “The lifespan is of particular interest to me. As is the reproduction cycle.”

“Fascinating,” I replied, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “That doesn’t explain your bizarre interest in the Ravenbriars.”

He chuckled. “They’ve really told you nothing, have they?”

“Like I said, they helped me out.”Maybe if the freak thinks I have no romantic interest in any of the guys, then he’ll release me.Slim hope, but something to grasp onto. “That’s all. I’m not their confidant. I’m not theiranything.”

His facial expression changed so fast that it was as if I were watching a magic show. One second he was the indulgent doctor, then the next an evil demon. “You’re lying. I detest lying.”

“I told you, I’m only in Sach Valley because I’m waiting for my van to be repaired. That’s it.”

“Raymond!” he bellowed, fists at his sides.

When the guard opened the door, pulling his gun, I knew I’d made a grave error.

“Please show our guest to the medical bay. I’ll be along shortly.”

“Sure thing, Doc,” he joyfully agreed, yanking on my arm so hard I screamed from the pain radiating down my arm. Just before being dragged from the room, I peered over my shoulder at Patterson. His eyes were glassy. I let my gaze travel downward. An erection pressed against his slacks. My pain gave him pleasure. Who the hell was this monster?

The guard leaned close to my ear. “You’ll wish you were dead by the time he’s done with you.” His hold tightened, threatening the fragile bones in my forearm. “But that’s when the fun truly begins. You see, Doc promised to hand you over to Harry and me when he’s through.”

“No!” My knees gave out at the horrifying reality of it, earning me a punch to my lower spine.

“Don’t make me drag you, bitch,” he warned. “After all, Doc never said anything about keeping my hands to myself.”

The threat sucked the air from my lungs. As we reached another room, this one bigger, I saw several shiny metal instruments on trays. I didn’t want to imagine what they were used for. A large operating table situated in the center of the room with black straps dangling off the sides sent me into a panic. I yanked and kicked, screaming for my life. Raymond punched me again. This time his fist connected with my chin, throwing my head backward and stunning me.

Raymond took advantage, picking me up and throwing me onto the table. My head struck the hard surface, causing my vision to blur. I struggled and fought, but Raymond was stronger, bigger. Once he had me strapped down, my arms pulled tight above my head and secured by another strap, he placed a hand on my breast and squeezed hard enough to draw tears to my eyes. “No one is coming for you,” he grunted. “No one is saving you. The only way out of this place is in a body bag.”

I didn’t speak, only closed my eyes tight, refusing to give the sick bastard the satisfaction of witnessing my terror. I heard the ripping of cloth, then a rush of air blasted over my chest. He’d torn away my shirt. Raymond’s fondling continued, twisting and pinching until I was forced to turn my face to the side and vomit from the pain of it.

“Bitch!” he yelled, slapping me across the face. “Those are new shoes.”

“Raymond!” Patterson warned. “I need her coherent, you fucking idiot.”

The room fell silent, and I knew I was alone with Patterson. I could smell his pungent odor. I opened my eyes and saw his gaze trained on my bare breasts. A glob of spit at the corner of his mouth dropped to the floor. “Let me go,” I pleaded.

He laughed. “You are quite a sight, Lily.”

“They’ll come for you,” I warned through clenched teeth. “And there will be no mercy.”

His glee turned to hatred. “Who? The Ravenbriars?” His hand wrapped around my chin and squeezed. “I’m always one step ahead.”

“You know, in movies, the guy that thinks he’s the smartest person in the room is always the first to die.” I went silent, letting the words hang in the air between us.

Then I saw it. A tiny hint of fear reflected in his eyes. Patterson might hold all the cards now, but not for long. Soon, it would behisscreams echoing inside the cold cement walls.

Patterson walked out of sight for a moment. When he returned there was a long metal object in his hand. At the end of the device was a pronged tip. Oh, God, a cattle prod?

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