Page 292 of Untamed

My whole-body locks. Every muscle screaming to lunge forward, to tear him apart. But I don’t. Not yet.

I lift my hands slowly, trying to steady the storm rising inside me.

“Lasciala andare, Nicolai.”Let her go, Nicolai.

Jordyn winces, just barely. Her eyes are begging. Not for herself, but for me.

His smile widens, cruel and sadistic. “You came alone.”

I cock my head, eyes narrowing. “You know me better than that, Nico. My men are outside slaughtering through your dogs.”

I look at Jordyn again. She’s shaking. Her lips move, but no sound comes out. My chest tightens until I can barely breathe.

My hands don’t drop. “Let her go. I’ll trade, me for her. That’s what you want, right? You want me. So, here I am. Take me. I won’t even fight you.”

Nicolai barks out a laugh, but there’s uncertainty in his grip now. “Oh, come on, Ares. I’ve waited for this moment for a long time,” he replies, tone soft and syrupy with satisfaction. “To see you like this. Weak and begging without using the word. But here’s the thing...” his eyes gleam, tilting his head slightly, “—I do want you, yes. Every blood-soaked inch of you. But I wanthermore.”

Jordyn flinches at the words, but she stays quiet, her lips pressed together in a firm line. Her breathing is shallow.

Nicolai leans in, his lips brushing her ear. “After what you did to Luca,” his eyes flick to me, “you deserve to suffer.”

I don’t move. I don’t blink, but my rage is a roaring tempest in my chest.

“And now,” Nicolai whispers, turning his face into the crook of Jordyn’s neck, “you get to watch as I take something you love—” he inhales slowly, deliberately, “—and make it mine.”

“Don’t,” I warn, my voice splintering.

But he grins, presses a kiss to the side of her neck and murmurs, “She smells like vanilla and fear. I bet she tastes even better.” He adds, licking her neck. Jordyn flinches, her face distorting in disgust.

I take a step forward before I can stop myself.

“No!” Jordyn’s eyes snap to mine. Her head gives the faintest shake, the smallest plea.

Stay.

Don’t.

Please.

My chest caves in around the weight of it. But I stop, because I’d rather die than risk that bullet touching her skin.

And Nicolai knows it, that’s why he’s goading me.

But Jordyn’s still trapped in his arms.

Still trembling.

And I can’t risk a shot, not yet.

I take a shaky breath. “You kill her, and there won’t be enough left of you for the crows to pick clean.”

Nicolai chuckles, the sound low and amused, like I’m nothing more than a dog snapping at a chain. “Oh, Ares,” he purrs, pressing the barrel of the gun tighter against Jordyn’s temple, just enough to make her wince. “You keep forgetting who’s holding the gun. Who’s already won.”

I clench my fists. My jaw aches from how hard I’m grinding my teeth.

“On your knees,” he says suddenly, voice sharp and commanding. “Do it. Or I’ll do far worse than put a bullet in her skull.”

Jordyn makes a strangled sound, her eyes locking onto mine, wide and desperate.

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