Page 71 of Caged

Roman stood in front of me, staring.

I stared back, pretending my heart wasn’t racing a mile a minute.

He moved faster than I’d anticipated, barely giving me time to brace before backhanding me.

His hit split my lip, filling my mouth with the copper tang of blood.

“Your lack of cooperation will only make what time you have left on this planet miserable,” he said, cleaning his hands with sanitizer before wiping them on the towel one of his guys handed to him.

He doesn’t like to get his hands dirty. I added it to the list of things to share with Jaden.

Roman asked more questions. I gave more half and non-answers. Franks enjoyed deploying the cattle prod.

When Roman asked about Blake, I said, through gritted teeth, “Leave. Her. The. Fuck. Alone.”

His sadistic smile sent shivers down my spine. “You aren’t in a position to give orders.” He nodded and Franks punched me, making me see stars.

My teeth hurt from clenching them. My muscles ached from seizing over and over and over again. My head pounded from the hits doled out between shocks.

When Roman was done and they finally untied me from the chair, I was too weak to stand.

“Help her downstairs,” Roman ordered. “If she’s faking it, shoot Sheppard in the knee cap.” That last part was for my benefit, but I didn’t have the energy to respond, let alone fight.

My hands were still cuffed behind my back so Franks supporting me was awkward at best. His lack of compassion and gentleness meant it was also painful.

Because of the light flooding the basement as Franks half-dragged me down the stairs I saw Jaden’s reaction.

He looked down right murderous. I wouldn’t want to be Franks if Jaden had a chance to get his hands on him.

“What’d you do to her?” he yelled.

“Back to your corner,” Franks ordered instead of answering.

“Do it,” I said, doing my best to sound okay.

Thankfully, he complied, but his eyes never left mine.

Jaden was a statue until the cage lock clicked into place. Then he ran, catching me as my knees gave out. How I’d managed to remain standing without help for as long as I had was a mystery.

“What’d they do?” he asked, far more gentle than when he’d asked Franks.

“Cattle prod. I’ll be okay once it wears off.” He’d seen my face, which had to be covered with bruises and red welts, so I didn’t feel the need to tell him about the hits.

He helped me to the back wall, eased me to the ground in front of him, and pulled me back into his warm, hard chest.

“It’s morning,” my voice shaky as I updated him. “And it’s a lot warmer upstairs.”

“Relax.” His breath tickled my ear.

I sat up. “There’s something else I have to tell you but I can’t remember.”

“It’s okay, we’ve got time. Just lean back and relax. I’ve got you.” Jaden’s deep soothing voice comforted me as he gently pulled me back to his chest.

The pain and weakness subsided slowly, allowing me to doze off as I relaxed in Jaden’s arms.

I don’t know how long I napped before I snapped awake with a hypnotic jerk and panicked. It only took a second to remember where I was—the cold, dark room a harsh reminder.

“Are you okay?” Jaden asked, his arms still wrapped around me.

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