Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 86325 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86325 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
30
Ryder
The sound of my footsteps echoes in the dungeon as the water drips down on the tile. The only other sound is Livia's sobbing. She hasn't said a word in days. No, she's gone mute to avoid our questions.
I haven't gotten my hands dirty myself. She's not worth it and I don't want to give her the satisfaction of finally being touched by me again. The guards are working on it for me, and they've put her through the most excruciating torture since she's been brought down here to be our prisoner.
And yet, Livia won't speak. Her lips remain firmly pressed together and she refuses to give me the only thing I want from her – Aurora.
I knew from the moment I caught her in a lie that she knew where my principessa was. Now it's up to me to get the truth out of Livia and bring Aurora back home where she belongs.
But we can't break her. Despite our best efforts, Livia won't tell us the truth. And I'm starting to grow impatient.
As I watch two men waterboarding her, my patience wears thin and the next time she's gulping for air, I approach her so menacingly she tries to push her chair back to get away from me.
"Don't you think you've been silent for too long?" I demand. "Don't you think you've been hiding the truth from me for long enough? I want to know where my woman is, Livia."
She looks me right in the eye with pure hatred reflected in her gaze. She won't give me what I want, and I know what she's pushing for. She wants me to be the one to torture her.
"You know what?" I hiss. "Fucking fine. If you're so damn desperate for me to hurt you, so be it. Men, leave the room."
The two guards walk out of the room. Livia's tied to a chair with thick, uncomfortable rope that's digging into her skin. I pull up a chair in front of hers, lazily lounging on it.
"You could have it so much better, you know," I tell her. "I could make sure you were taken care of. You wouldn't have to be anyone's little bitch anymore. All you have to do is tell me where Aurora is so I can bring her back home."
She stares back, not saying a single word. I'll break her eventually. She can't stay mute for ever.
"Are you hungry?"
She perks up at my question but still doesn't answer. Lazily, without a care in the world, I bring out a stale sandwich from a bag at my feet. It's been a few days since she's had anything but water. She should be desperate for a bite of this right about now.
"It's kind of stale," I shrug carelessly. "I was going to throw it out, actually... Unless... No, you don't want it, do you?"
Her wide eyes stare at me hopefully, pleading with me to give in to her hunger. But she won't get the best of me. She's not Aurora. She's just a prisoner whom I need to break so I can get my final prize once and for all.
"Speak up," I tease her mercilessly. "I can't know what you're thinking unless you tell me, Liv."
Her gaze fills with desperation and yet she still doesn't speak. I must say, I'm more than a little impressed with her ability to keep the truth from me. Given the mouth on the bitch, I'm shocked to see her quiet for this long.
"Guess not." I shrug, get up and toss the sandwich into a garbage can. When I turn around to face Livia, her eyes are filled with pure contempt, but I pay it no mind. Instead, I saunter up right in front of her and smirk at her crestfallen, hateful face. "You think that's the worst I got, Liv? I'll fucking destroy you without ever laying a finger on your fucking body. Just you watch."
Her face falls. Strands of wet, dark hair are clinging to her face. I'm sure most men would find this attractive – a vulnerable woman at their disposal. But I hold no more attraction for Livia. In fact, she doesn't even make my dick stir. I doubt she could even get me hard. The only one I want is Aurora, and I'm more determined than ever to torture the truth out of my former lover.
"It's been two weeks since you've been here," I tell Livia thoughtfully. "I had hoped you would have learned some lessons in that time, but it seems like you've disappointed me yet again, Liv. So why don't I tell you a little story, if you're so insistent on staying quiet?"
She shoots daggers at me with her eyes.
"Seems like you're excited." I smirk, enjoying the feeling of torturing her. The bitch deserves it. Right now, I'm more determined than ever to find Aurora and bring her back home as soon as I can. Livia can die for all I care, as long as I get my woman back.