“Nothin’,” he muttered. Turning his key, he pushed open his door and shut it quickly behind him. Sliding down the door, he hit the floor and buried his face in his hands. What the fuck was wrong with him? Why couldn’t he stop thinking about her?
He hadn’t given a fuck about anything in so long he’d forgotten what it felt like. Forgotten how horrible it was to feel anything at all.
The last time he’d given a fuck was . . .
Ripper came back to consciousness on fire. Everywhere. He coughed and gagged as hot, wet, fire poured down over his face and chest. Sputtering and screaming, he tried to jerk away but his bonds allowed him no movement.
“Wake up, sleepin’ beauty.” Frankie laughed and Ripper heard the sharp slide of a zipper, then felt the air shift as Frankie knelt down beside him. Spitting out a mouthful of hot piss, he gasped for air.
“Gonna try this shit one last time, Horseman. You don’t give me what I want, you’re goin’ to ground.”
His body shaking from shock, his skin burning, unable to see what was going to be the final death blow, Ripper stayed silent, praying it would be over soon.
Cursing, Frankie tugged on the rope binding his ankles to his wrists and started sawing through it. No longer bound in the fetal position, Ripper fell sideways, sprawled on his back. Grabbing hold of his balls, Frankie squeezed and twisted.
“Talk, you fuckin’ shithead,” he growled.
Breathe. He just had to keep breathing through it. He just had to breathe, in and out, until Frankie finally ended it.
“TALK!” Frankie roared and twisted further.
Pain hurtled up his groin and exploded into his stomach. He couldn’t talk now, even if he’d wanted to.
Breathe.
Just fucking breathe.
BREATHE, DAMN IT. BREATHE.
“Yo, Frankie!” a loud voice bellowed.
Frankie released him and his trembling body went lax. Gagging, he turned his head and released a stomach full of spit, piss, and bile.
“What?” Frankie growled.
“Eva’s blowin’ up my fuckin’ phone, brother.”
Ripper heard Frankie jump to his feet, heard his heavy booted steps crossing the floor, heard a door creak open, then slam shut.
It took a moment to realize that he was alone.
Alone . . .