Page 86 of Caged

They hurt like hell and I was pretty sure Franks had broken, or at least cracked, one of my ribs by the time he stopped.

At least they didn’t use the cattle prod. Small favors.

Roman ordered his men to take us downstairs after getting a text message. Whatever it said was bad news, because his face turned red and he looked like he was about to explode.

We’d managed to hold out.This time.

They brought me down first. When the guy holding me up let go, I crumpled into a heap. Using nothing butdetermination, I sat up. I didn’t want Jay to worry any more than he already was.

After they locked the cage door, they threw in two bags. Food and water.

Jay picked up the bags and handed them to me before gently picking me up and carrying me to the back. He used a little of the water to wet a strip of his t-shirt and carefully washed my face.

I tried not to wince, but it was impossible. My face now knew what a punching bag felt like.

When Jay handed me water, I ignored the copper taste mixing in and drank it. When he gave me a cookie, I ignored the pain caused by chewing and ate it. Raisins and all.

The salt made it hurt too much to eat the chips, so Jay gave me his cookie and ate my chips.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered as he rubbed my back. “You’re so fucking strong and I know you can take it, but I still wish there was something I could do.”

I wanted to smile at the compliment and the sentiment, but my lips were too swollen. He wouldn’t see it anyway. “Thanks,” I mumbled.

Jay held me on his lap and sang me to sleep.

When the foghorn blasted, it scared the shit out of me, causing me to jump awake. Pain speared my left side, reminding me of the abuse my ribs had taken. The resulting grunts of pain caused my face to hurt.

“Let me help,” Jay said, lifting me off his lap before standing next to me. “I’m sorry Cate, but I’m not going tolet them do this to you again. I’ll tell them whatever they want to hear,” he spoke close to my ear as footsteps echoed down the stairs.

“You can’t. The minute you do, they’ll kill us,” I begged.

“Cate.” He whispered, resting his forehead on mine. “I don’t think I can do it. You’re so much stronger than I am.”

“No, I’m not, you have the harder job.” It was true. I didn’t need a psych degree to know it was a million times harder for him to watch me get hit without retaliating. It might be easier physically, but not emotionally.

Light flooded the basement as Roman and his men stormed down the stairs. He didn’t bother with a polite greeting, or any greeting at all—just ordered us to opposite corners. I moved slower than Jay and hadn’t made it to my corner before a goon grabbed me and yanked my hands behind my back, making my ribs scream.

Something happened. I made eye contact with Jay; he’d picked up on it, too. Roman was pissed, and no longer playing his game.

They took us together, trusting Jay not to risk my life by fighting.There’s no reason to worry about me.Even uncuffed I couldn’t have put up a fight.

Everything in the office looked the same as the last time, except the plastic sheet covering the floor.

Fuck. Roman wanted to protect his precious rug from our blood. Not that I hadn’t bled on the floor before. But it’d never been a lot.

We’re going to die here.I couldn’t have held back my shiver if I’d been fully healthy.

Once again tied to our chairs, Roman walked to the back of his desk, sat down, and leaned forward with his hands clasped.

“I was hoping you’d cooperate and I could get some answers.” He shook his head, as if realizing the error of his ways. “But now I have somewhere else I need to be, so we’re going to speed things along,” Roman said.

My heart beat against my ribs and I had to force myself to take steady breaths so I didn’t hyperventilate and pass out.He’s going to kill us.

“Franks, don’t you think Cate here is pretty?”

“I sure do.” He answered, licking his lips while his eyes trailed down my body.

Fuck. They’ll threaten rape to force Jay to talk. I turned to see Jay’s reaction, never doubting he understood their intent.

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