Page 180 of Savage Hearts

He could, and he would.

Fuck.

“Don’t do this,” I said when he turned me over, until I was half-sitting, half-lying on my stomach. I didn’t bother fighting because it wouldn’t have fucking mattered.

How many more times did they need to make me feel helpless before they broke me completely?

I was afraid of what the answer might be.

He pulled out a knife that was hidden inside his boot. I flinched when he sliced the knife through the fabric of my shirt from behind, tearing it completely.

He pushed it away and cut the sleeves at both arm holes so he could pull the shirt away from me, leaving me in nothing but a bra.

Goose bumps rose across my skin from the cold and being exposed. I looked back at him, wondering what he was thinking, but his mask was firmly in place.

I shook my head when he grabbed the needle, his fingers moving down my back and stopping somewhere near my spine.

Tears spilled from my eyes, and I closed them as he pierced the needle into my flesh. I flinched at the sting, and he used the other hand and rubbed comfortingly on my lower back as if that would fucking help.

“I’m just numbing the area,” he muttered, then jabbed me in a different place.

I hissed in pain.

“I know this hurts, but this will be easier on you when I cut you open to insert the tracker.”

“Fuck you,” I gritted out. I would have moved, would have fought back if I didn’t think moving might have made it even more painful for me.

His hands continued to rub my lower back in circles.

I closed my eyes as we waited for the numbing agent to take effect.

He didn’t say anything, but I knew he was watching me.

I didn’t want to watch him. Didn’t want to be reminded of the fact that I had willingly kissed him a few minutes ago.

After what felt like an eternity, Killian grabbed the scalpel from the tray.

I cried harder. “Please,” I begged.

He frowned. “Is it the pain you’re worried about? Don’t worry. I’ll be quick about it.”

I shook my head, at a loss for words. How the hell could I answer him?

I was afraid of the pain, and the sight of the scalpel sent an unpleasant prickling sensation throughout my body, but it was more than that.

I didn’t want to be fucking tracked.

I would never escape them now.

He pulled his hand away from my back and started the process. I kept my eyes tightly shut. The numbness did its magic when I felt nothing but pressure on my skin, but it was the thought of what he was doing that got to me worse than any uncomfortable feeling.

I didn’t open my eyes when I heard him reach for something else on the tray.

It didn’t matter anymore.

I didn’t know how much time passed, but then I felt his hand on my head.

He waited patiently for me to open my eyes.

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