132 – Pain and Obsession

132 – Pain and Obsession
Warning: This chapter contains scenes of mutilation.
Laurel
I stared at Jason as cold sweat trickled down my skin. The disturbing smile on his face made me uneasy and somewhat terrified. For a moment, I thought I would get out of this unharmed, that the documents I had handed over would be enough to ease whatever anger he had toward me. But I had forgotten that the man pressing a gun against my head was merciless and notorious for never forgetting—and for repaying allies and enemies in equal measure.
I should have protected those documents better. Just thinking about what he might do to me makes me shudder. I need to negotiate a little more.
— You can’t hurt me. — I said abruptly.
That wasn’t what I had planned to say. Panic was sinking its claws into me, and I couldn’t think straight.
Jason laughed humorlessly and stepped back.
— What makes you think I can’t? — he asked rhetorically.
I opened my mouth, then closed it.
Think, Laurel. Think fast!
What can I still offer him?
— I have important things hidden away! — I shouted.
— What does that have to do with me? — Jason asked calmly.
— They’re evidence of your involvement with that opium supplier, as well as the locations of your laboratories and your associates. — I said hurriedly.
Of course, it was nothing but a huge bluff, but I was desperate and needed to survive long enough to get my revenge.
— You’re lying. — he said.
I raised my chin arrogantly, trying to assert myself. If I faltered for even a second, he would devour me alive.
— I can assure you I’m not. — I held his gaze without blinking.
Jason stared at me for seconds that felt like an eternity.
— Fine. Hand over the documents. — he said.
I couldn’t hand over what I had. I did have a few documents left, but only one of them was related to what I had claimed. Jason would know I was lying if I handed them over now. I needed to buy time.
— They’ll be delivered to your club as soon as I get what I want. — I said in the best negotiating tone I could manage.
— Fine. You want that guy, medication, and what else? — he asked very calmly.
— Maverick hates me, so I need him to get an erection at any cost. I want Sildenafil for that, along with everything necessary to keep him quiet, as well as a remote, quiet place where no one can interfere with me or be drawn by the screams. I’ll write everything down, and you take care of the rest. — I said.
Jason gave me an assessing look and smiled.
— Fine. I’ll provide everything as quickly as possible. In return, do your part. Of course, after you pay me the rest of what you owe me. — he said.
Another shiver ran down my spine.
— I thought I didn’t owe you anything anymore. — I said defensively.
— Ah, my dear, you’re mistaken. Since you offered me something worthwhile, I won’t take your head. But a piece of you still has to go. I’ll even let you choose. — Jason approached me again, and I instinctively backed away until my back hit the wall. — What do you think about your nails? A finger? Maybe an eye? Choose one of those options.
My eyes widened.
Damn it.
— You can’t be serious. — I murmured incredulously.
— Oh, I’m very serious. Choose now, or I’ll choose for you. — he said threateningly, his eyes filled with bloodlust.
I swallowed hard, my hands trembling as I weighed my options, terror filling my entire being.
— The eye, then. — Jason said with a shrug as he pulled a pocketknife from his pocket and grabbed my face. His iron grip made my bones creak. I desperately grabbed his arm, but I wasn’t strong enough, and I watched in horror as the blade quickly moved toward my eye.
— The finger, the finger! — I screamed desperately, my cry muffled by his large hand.
Jason stopped immediately and released my face. He grabbed his phone and typed something. At that exact moment, the door opened, and one of his men walked in carrying a shiny steel knife with an ornate handle.
I knew that weapon well. He had used it a few times in my presence.
I never imagined it would one day be used on me.
Jason smiled with satisfaction as he ran his finger over the intricate design on the handle.
— I choose the left ring finger. You won’t need it. Consider it a favor from me. — he mocked.
I clenched my fists in anger. How dare he say that? He knew how badly I wanted to marry Maverick. He had witnessed the crazy things I had done to keep our engagement intact. He knew I had fantasized countless times about a ring on my left ring finger, how desperately I had longed for the day Maverick would be mine in every way.
You damned bastard.
— Make it quick. — I gritted my teeth, anger and fear becoming tangled together.
The man who had brought the knife appeared with another man. The two of them grabbed me firmly and dragged me toward a wooden table nearby.
Fear took over, and I began struggling, trying to free myself from their grip.
— Please, no. — I begged, tears washing down my face.
It’s official. Fear won.
Until now, I had tried to keep up appearances, but knowing I was about to lose a part of my body terrified me. I was afraid of the pain. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to endure it.
I was afraid of all of this.
I don’t want this.
The sobbing came hard and was accompanied by screams. I shook my body from side to side, but fighting was useless when two enormous men were dragging me around.
— Bite down on this because it’s going to hurt. — Jason grabbed my face roughly and shoved a foul-smelling piece of cloth into my mouth.
I clenched my teeth around the disgusting fabric as my muffled sobs continued. I watched in horror and helplessness as one of the men grabbed my arm and positioned my left ring finger so that it was the only thing resting on the table. Despite my efforts, I couldn’t break free.
— Since you’ve proven useful enough, I’ll be quick. Whether it’s a clean cut or not. — he shrugged as if it were nothing important.
Son of a bitch.
I watched in horror as he raised the knife and brought it down in one precise, agonizing strike. It severed my finger, which rolled off the table and hit the floor with a dull thud.
Blinding pain consumed me, and a horrible, muffled scream escaped my throat. Blood spread across the wooden surface. Adrenaline sent my blood racing through my veins, my heart pounding as if it were about to burst from my chest. My vision blurred and the world began spinning, but somehow, I kept screaming.
As I drowned in fear and tears, Jason was smiling.
The entire damn time, he was smiling.
He enjoyed torturing me.
— Give her something to stop the bleeding and something for the pain. Send her finger to her parents and get this hysterical lunatic out of here. I have things to do. — he told the two men.
The world gradually narrowed and darkened, and all I could do was question my situation.
Why is this happening to me?
Why?
All because of a man who doesn’t value me.
He will pay for this.
Not Jason. I can’t touch him.
That only leaves the man who ruined everything.
It’s Maverick’s fault. He destroyed me.
Now it’s my turn to destroy him.
When I’m finished, he’ll wish he were dead.