“This is going to be such fun.” Kat and I head back to the suites. “I’m taking you shopping after we see Sasha. There’s a dress at Versace you’ve just got to see. Oh, here’s the car now.” She stops short as we hear two men pushing a loaded housekeeping cart coming up behind us. “Wait, this isn’t—”

One guy steps in front of the cart and punches Kat in the gut. She slumps into the waiting arms of the other man. He tosses her onto the back seat of the van. Panic surges through me like an army of fire ants spreading their toxin through my bloodstream. I pivot to run back to the dining room. The first guy sticks something hard into my gut. Jolts of electricity shoot through my core. Horrible muscle spasms grip me. I can’t move. My brain feels all fuzzy as if each thought has to walk through quicksand to reach the other side. I don’t feel the pain as my body slams against the hard metal floor. Darkness descends.

Pain. Everywhere. Panic returns. I keep my eyes shut while I try to figure out what the fuck happened. Why am I in so much pain? I try to move my arm. Pain jolts through my shoulder.

I’m on my back, shackled over some sort of bench. Pins and needles prick their way through my hands. My wrists are tied over my head. A restraint device spreads my legs far apart. I’m completely exposed. Something heavy is pinching and pulling my nipples. My eyelids spring open. Nipple clamps with weights stretch my nipples beyond recognition.

“Ah, there she is. Now, the fun can begin.” Viper yanks my head up until I’m gazing into his empty eyes, empty like his soul. “You’re all mine now.”

He leans toward me. I jerk away, heart jackhammering out of my chest. Once, when I was about twelve years old, ES took Summer and me to see a horror movie called The Prisoner. The filming took place in a dungeon room filled with torture equipment—barbarous whips, rushing chains, whipping benches. A room just like this one. Kat lies unconscious on the bedrock floor. Blood trickles from her forehead. I’m not even sure she’s breathing.

“Don’t worry. We’ll have her join the fun shortly. Right now, it’s just you and me. Viper runs his foul hand down my stomach. He grabs my left breast. I hiss as pain zings through my nipple. Viper nips the nipple with his teeth. I squeeze my eyes tight to hold back the tears. My internal screams are loud enough to shatter even the strongest crystal.

Viper lets go and laughs. “Not enough for you, eh?” He walks over to a sideboard and brings back a couple of small magnets. He attaches one to each nipple clamp. I blow more air through my teeth. The pain is exquisite. I will not scream. I will not show this bastard any weakness. “By the time I’m done with you, you’ll beg me. Until then, we play.”

I will never beg you. I want to spit on him, but my mouth’s completely free of saliva. I drink eagerly as Viper holds a water bottle to my dry lips. I frown when he pulls it away.

“Gotta keep this skin hydrated. Now, let’s make sure you understand the rules.” He flicks a riding crop across the top of my breasts. I stifle a moan and try to prepare my mind for the upcoming horror.

“You and your girlfriend here are the party favors. You’ll serve us food and your bodies. Understood?”

I stare at him mutely, trying my best to control my breathing. I will not let this bastard get the best of me. I refuse to respond. He picks up a switch and starts in on my inner thighs. Soon, tears and snot run down my face; I can’t stop them. My harsh and Viper’s excited breaths accompany the solid swish of the switch as it meets the tender flesh lining my thighs. He beats me until purple welts line my stomach and upper legs.

“Ready to give in?”

I can’t raise my head, but I won’t surrender to this bastard. I just have to hang on long enough, praying for Jaden to find me. I shake my head imperceptibly, but it’s enough.

“I see we’re going to have to get serious with you.” He pulls the nipple clamps off. As intense pain sears my chest, I bite my tongue to keep from vomiting. “We’ll start with a paddle, then we’ll move up the whip chain. I’d prefer to have you in one piece for the party, but I will make you bleed if I have to.”

I suck in a sharp breath. Maybe resistance isn’t the brightest plan in the world. What good will I be if I’m dead by the time Jaden finds me? Viper flips me over on the bench and proceeds to shackle my wrists and ankles to each corner.

Viper’s sour breath turns my stomach as he crouches in front of me. He smiles just like the Joker. “I bet you think that rat bastard of yours will rescue you. Well, think again. He’s off on a wild goose chase, rescuing your sister. Who, by the way, is almost as good as dead.”

Fucker. I grit my teeth, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing my terror.

Viper picks up a long, wooden paddle. “Let’s get you warmed up with this.”

I lose count after fifty-eight strokes. I let my tears fall and surrender to the pain. Time for my bitch goddess to keep me company. The eye of my mind floats out of my body and perches on my shoulder. My sobbing breaths become the loudest thing in the room.

Viper picks up two small whips and rolls his shoulders. He tests the whips against the air. I cringe at the snapping noise. I focus my hatred on the sound.

“Last chance. And this time, I’ll take every bit of skin off you. Is that what you want?”

I can’t move. “No,” I whisper.

“Good girl.” Viper smacks my raw ass with the flat of his hand. “Let’s wake up your buddy so you two can get ready for the party.” Viper takes a bucket of water and upends it over Kat’s head. She moans but doesn’t move. Viper picks up a vial from the sideboard and runs it under her nose. She tosses her head and coughs.

“What the hell . . . ?” Kat tries to sit up. Viper pulls a gun from the small of his back and shoves it in her face. “Listen up, kitty cat. You’re mine now. You’ve got two choices. Play ball or play dead. Which will it be?”

Kat leans back on her elbows and bares her teeth. “I take it you’re Viper.”

Viper backhands Kat so hard her head bounces off her shoulder. “Answer me, bitch. Play ball or play dead?” He racks the slide on his huge gun. Kat stares right back at him. She shows no fear. I want to be just like her.

“Play ball, Viper. You’re the boss.”

Viper hits her again. Blood gushes from her mouth. She wipes it with the back of her hand. Viper stands.

“Now that we know who’s boss, let’s get a few things straight. There’s a room full of my men upstairs who you’re going to make very happy. You’ll serve them food and anything else they ask for. No questions. No hesitations. Got it?” Viper looks at Kat. “You’re fair game, and my men know there’s no holds barred.”

Kat tilts her chin but says nothing. I want to be brave just like her. Viper walks over to me. I manage to straighten my shoulders without wincing.

“You, my pet, are my special treat.” He removes my restraints and pulls me to a sitting position, legs spread wide.

“My men can touch you however and wherever they want except . . .” Before I can react, he jams a finger of one hand in my mouth. Two fingers of the other hand invade my cunt. My teeth clamp down hard. Viper pulls his finger out, shaking his hand.

“Mother fucker.” He sucks on the offending finger as he crosses to the heavy wooden door. “You won’t have enough energy left to do that by the time my men are through with you. Now, get dressed.” Men’s voices and raucous laughter filter in before the door closes and the lock shoots home.

Kat sits then drops her head in her hands. I jump down and hobble over to her. “You okay?”

“Gonna be sick.”

I grab the garbage can. I hold her hair clear as she vomits. Every single pore in my body screams in agony. I grit my teeth and pull up my big girl pants. I can do this.

“Thanks, hon.” Kat leans her head back as I place a wet cloth on her forehead. “Well, this sure is a fine mess.” She grimaces as she moves her head. “You handing in there?”

I gingerly slide down the wall to sit beside her. I bite down hard on my bottom lip to stop the tears from spilling.

Kat touches my thigh. I yelp. “Ah, sweetie. How bad is it?” she asks.

“Not that bad. There’s worse to come.” I rest my forehead on my knees as I attend my own private pity party.

“I’m so sorry you have to go through this. Let’s hope Jaden and Connor get here quickly. We’re okay for a while. After all, we’re party favors.” She gives me a small smile. Her warm tone almost undoes me. I can’t feel right now. If I start, I’ll come apart. I harden my tone.

“What makes you think you know so goddamned much? And just for the record, Viper’s made sure Jaden and Connor won’t get here anytime soon.”

“How did he do that?” Kat sounds genuinely surprised. I look at her in amazement.

“What, you think they’re invincible or something? He used my sister to set up a trap. They’re probably dead by now.”

Kat barks out a laugh. “That’s just what he wants you to think. One thing I know, it will take more than Viper’s goons to put our guys away.” Kat slowly gets to her feet, using the wall as support. “My God.” She pulls up the corner of her T-shirt, exposing a large bruise turning various shades of blue. “Shit. I’ll be pissing blood for a week.” She sighs. “What I wouldn’t give for some ibuprofen right now. Where are these clothes he wants us to wear?”

I point to a small stack of black and white fabric sitting on a shelf. “That would be them.”

Kat limps over and lifts the top piece. A small black French maid’s apron unfolds. The tiny bib is trimmed with soft white lace. A small white lace ruffle circles the bodice and mini apron.

“Great. You’ve got to be kidding me.” Kat holds the small piece of fabric against her. “I don’t know what delusion I had that we might actually be left with a scrap of dignity.”

I focus my dwindling attention on Kat, but I sense no real fear. “Are you crazy or just an ass?”

Kat gives me a warm smile as she tosses one of the aprons. “Hang on. We’ll get through this.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“I’ve had more practice at this than you have.”

“You practice getting your brains bashed in?” I don’t even try to keep the bitchy sarcasm from my voice.

“Oh, it won’t be very pleasant, but try to think of it as a scene. He’s going to play the dinner game. That’s a good thing. It gives the guys time to get here.”

“Didn’t you hear me?” I want to scream at her and smash her head against the wall.

“I heard you, Rayne, and you’re wrong. Do you want to bet on how long it takes them to get here? I give them two hours.”

Two hours? Dare I hope?