Seize me From Darkness (Pierced Hearts Book 4) by Cari Silverwood

bed and half-turned to study me in that under-the-brow way of his, then he searched for my hand with his own.
    I tucked mine in my lap, shook my head. “What is it? Tell me. I know about tomorrow.”
    “They’ve given me an ultimatum...again. I have to hurt you tomorrow. Give them a show, and I have to do it worse than last time.
    I didn’t have the words. I shook my head again and mouthed a no.
    His eyes were kind and he looked at me as if to see if I had something to say before he continued. “I believe I can do this in a way that won’t be as bad as you think. I can lessen the pain.”
    Frantic, I watched his face for some clue. “How? You have a drug I can take?” Unwanted te ars dribbled from my eyes and I swiped at them. “I don’t want to be horribly maimed.” I almost asked him to kill me. “I’ve seen what happened to that policeman. Gregor cut pieces off him. Don’t you ever do that to me.”
    His Adam’s apple moved in a quiet swallow. “I wouldn’t, Jazmine. No matter what. I want to get you out of here, alive, intact.”
    Intact sounded so clinical, but I clutched at the hope.
    “Can you?”
    “Not yet. I’m working on it.”
    “Oh.”
    This time when he took my hand, I let him. The squeeze on my fingers made me look up.
    “So. What do you mean by lessen the pain then?”
    “It’s what I did for Elenor. She liked pain but mixed with pleasure. I think if I do the same for you, it’ll not hurt as much.”
    Uh. I blinked, sniffed away the tears. “You mean sexual pleasure, don’t you?”
    “Yes.” He squeezed my hand tighter. “They want me to have sex with you anyway. Whoever is paying for this wants you humiliated as well as hurt. But, to me, it’s not that – humiliation. So it shouldn’t be to you either. Keep that in your head. You’re beautiful and I’m not fucking...doing this to shame you.”
    Did him thinking I was pretty make a difference when everyone was watching?
    I was going to die inside, but if he didn’t perform as they said, Gregor would do it worse. Maybe use his scalpel. “I can take it. I’m strong. This won’t get to me.”
    “Good.”
    I was lying, but I was good at that. Practice makes perfect.
    This was why Gregor had let us be together, so he could torture me with dread between now and tomorrow.
    The rap on the door came way too soon. Pieter had to pry my fingers loose.

Chapter 8

    When they pulled off the sack and I saw her, standing there under the lights waiting for me, I nearly turned around and said no.
    I didn’t because I couldn’t. In those few seconds, I’d flashed through what would happen. They’d kill me. They’d hurt her worse than I would. The consequences ruled out self-sacrifice.
    I’d done this before. Each time, would I have to argue with myself? Or would it get easier?
    Though it was a new problem that had shocked me. I was looking forward to this, just a smidgeon, just enough to creep myself out.
    Fok this.
    H er lonely figure in the center, beneath the dangling chains, spoke of the purest of vulnerability.
    There was so much room in here and so much equipment lining the wall. Diabolical stuff. Good things, depending on your point of view.
    I walked to her, saying, as I drew near, “It’s me, Pieter.”
    The poor girl was quivering already.
    They’d left it all up to me this time. No tying her down in position. Just her, standing, with her plain dress, and her head covered by the black bag they used on her. Her wrists were cuffed at the front, but that was it.
    M e, I was in suit, pants, black shoes, and tie. My best guess – this client had a fetish for women being molested by men in suits.
    The speaker came on. “You have a blank canvas, Mister Pieter. A pretty woman to draw on. Do what you wish to her. But make it good.” I could hear the amusement in his voice. “Wait. There is one proviso. Our client wishes you to cut off her dress.”
    Christ .
    I held up my empty hands.
    “Harrison , please, a knife for