Avenger(44)

I sighed loudly, my breath the only sound in the room except for the steady humming of the heater.

My arms and wrists had long since gone numb, and the pain from my dislocated shoulder was just a dull throb now.

I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths.

I felt like I’d been here forever, and I wondered how long I could possibly survive this. I knew Caeden would be looking for me, but he couldn’t just storm in here and take me back. I knew from the sounds I heard outside my door, that there were way more people here than Travis, and I was sure they were his mutants. I shuddered at the thought of him unleashing one of those things on me. I still couldn’t get the image out of my head of the one that killed Logan. I knew that was something that would haunt me for the rest of my life—whether my life ended soon or I managed to live to be old and gray.

My eyes popped open as I heard shuffling footsteps outside my door. I swallowed thickly, hearing the click of the deadbolt and then watching the knob turn slowly. So far, Travis had been the only person to ‘visit’ me, but I still feared that he might send one of his mutants in here to finish me off.

The door opened completely and Travis stood with a tray of food. “Morning, sunshine,” he grinned, kicking the heavy door closed behind him.

He laid the tray across my lap and sat on the foot of the bed. “Eat up. I know you must be hungry.”

And you must be crazy.

“I can’t move my arms.” I shook the chains for emphasis.

“Oh, of course, I forgot.”

He moved and I dared to hope he was going to unchain me. He scooted closer and grabbed a piece of toast covered in butter off the plate. “Here,” he held it to my lips.

I fought tears. He wasn’t going to unchain me. There was no telling how long he’d leave me like this.

I hesitated before taking a bite, thinking for a moment that it was possible that he’d poisoned it. But that wasn’t Travis’ style. He preferred to spill your blood and guts everywhere.

I opened my mouth, tearing off a piece of the bread and chewing slowly.

“Good girl,” he crooned and I half expected him to do something silly like pet my head.

I took another bite, my stomach churning with the sudden intake of food. I’d have to be careful or I’d make myself sick if I ate too much.

I finished the half slice of toast and he held a glass of water to my lips. I greedily swallowed down the cool liquid.

He held the other slice of toast up to my lips and I ate it slowly. Never, in a million years, would I have guessed that I’d have Travis hand feeding me. True, he’d kidnapped me, but he’d never been compassionate. You’d think he wouldn’t care if I starved to death.

I finished the toast and water and Travis removed the tray from my lap. I expected him to leave, but he didn’t. He left the tray by the door and returned to sit on the end of the bed.

“I left for a while to give you time to think,” his hand skated up my calf, stopping at my knee, and I tried not to shudder. Thank goodness I at least had a blanket covering my legs. “I hope, now, that you’ve come to appreciate what I’ve given you.” His gaze flicked around them room before those black, lifeless, eyes landed on me again.

I swallowed thickly, preparing myself to lie. “I have.”

It was only two words, two words I’d barely been able to whisper, but Travis smiled from ear to ear. I don’t think I’d ever seen him smile. He wasn’t as scary, and seemed more human. But the smile didn’t fool me. Travis was a killer, and the minute I didn’t play along with his game he wouldn’t hesitate to slit my throat.

“Good,” he patted my knee affectionately. He leaned close to me, his face only centimeters from mine. I held my breath, not wanting to inhale the same air he was breathing. “I have a reward for you.”

A-a reward?” I stuttered.

“Mhmm,” he hummed as he stood. He reached above my head and undid the binding on my hands. My arms flopped to my sides, the muscles feeling dead. I could feel the blood flowing through my veins trying to bring life back to the limbs.

Before I could rejoice too much, he had my hands strapped again, but this time beside me and I’d take that over having them above my head any day.

“Better?” He asked.

I nodded. “But my shoulder—”

“Oh, yes, your shoulder,” he smiled sardonically. “Bite this,” he grabbed a blanket, shoving it at my mouth. I bit down on the fabric as he shoved my shoulder back into place. The blanket muffled my scream and Travis laughed. The bastard received some kind of sick twisted joy upon seeing people in pain.

He took the blanket and dropped it on the floor. “I’ll be back soon.” He bent, brushing his lips over my cheek. Bile rose in my throat, but I was careful to school my features. He had to believe I was giving in to him. It was my only hope of survival.