Page 135 of The Silencer

“Okay,” I say as I turn around and let him clasp it behind my neck. As I do, I see Anthony’s lips twitching, his hands skimming along my sides, owning me even in this moment.

When I finally spin back around, I see Bane grinning at me crookedly.

“I have a matching one.”

He holds out the vial around his neck, and my eyes go to the finger sitting there.

“Oh. Is that mine?”

“For fuck’s sake, Bane,” Anthony grumbles.

Bane nods and then blinks down at me. “Is this okay?”

He looks shy and uncomfortable, and I hate it.

“Of course it is. Take care of it.”

He sighs in relief. “I will. I promise. Now, are you here because of Douglas?”

“Yes,” I say, suddenly nervous once more.

“Oh, goodie. Yes. Well, he’s still alive. Barely, but if you want a go at him, there’s still plenty left. I’d say ears and eyelids. Maybe even eyeballs. Anthony already got his tongue.”

I squeeze Bane once more and then let Anthony take hold of me and direct me forward.

I’m honestly not prepared for what I see.

Douglas is sitting tied to a chair, his body a bloody heap. He’s missing all his fingers and all his toes. Patches of skin hang from him and his head is missing bits of his scalp.

“Jesus, Anthony,” I breathe, and his fingers flex against me.

“I told you it was…a lot.”

“It is.”

“Do you want to go? You don’t have to stay.”

I turn into him and breathe in his scent. It overpowers the smell of decay. “Did you do all of this because of me?”

“I told you,” he says softly, his hands sliding through my hair. “I’d burn the world down for you.”

I sigh and then peek out and see Douglas, his chin touching his chest, his body broken beyond repair.

“What are you going to do next?” I ask, and Anthony holds me against him, giving me strength.

“Whatever else until he finally dies.”

“So…”

Bane pipes up. “I mean, I’d love to scoop out his eyes.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

I lean into Anthony, suddenly not able to do it. I wanted to make him suffer like I did, but seeing him, broken and taken apart, I no longer want it. They did enough.

“I want to end it,” I say softly, and Bane groans.