Page 38 of Ruthless Salvation
Blaze and another bouncer each grabbed one of the man’s arms, securing them behind the back of the chair at awkward angles. The man cried out and struggled but had no leverage to gain traction.
Hand over my mouth in horror, I watched as Torin pinched the man’s nose shut, then poured the liquid down his throat. Forced to swallow, the man choked and sputtered, trying to gasp for air.
I didn’t realize I was swaying until Jolly’s hand firmly but gently clasped my arm.
“Okay, kid,” Jolly said to Torin in his usual unhurried drawl. “You tend to this one. I’ll take care of him.”
I’d always considered Jolly one of those guys with a gruff exterior who was all soft on the inside. I was starting to realize I’d been wrong. His voice had a steel edge I hadn’t imagined he possessed, and I wasn’t the only one who heard it. The man blanched.
“Take him to The Rack. Talk to Constantine and tell him this is a gift for Perillus.”
“I’m familiar with The Rack, if you’re talking about that gay sex club on the east side, but I don’t know who Perillus is.”
The faintest hint of a smirk carved across Jolly’s face. “Not who.What.”
When the guys looked confused, Torin explained. “It’s ahighlysecret extension of the club for extreme S&M. Before you get any ideas, I’mnota fuckin’ participant. Con and I go back a long time.”
Jolly left my side and started around the bar. “Come on, fellas. Time to have some fun.”
“Guys, come on,” the man stammered. “The girl is fine. No harm, no foul.”
My stomach turned. I hated to think about what he’d planned for me, and somehow, envisioning his punishment only made things worse. I never could stand the thought of suffering on the part of any man or animal. It wasn’t in my nature, no matter how vile the creature.
I reminded myself to focus on how this would hopefully save a future victim. Who knew how many others would suffer if he wasn’t stopped.
Torin took my hand and led me back to the locker room for my stuff.
“I’m not sure about all this, Torin. What’s going to happen to him?” My jittery fingers wouldn’t cooperate as I tried to work the lock. It took three tries before the latch gave.
“You know he tried to drug you, right?”
“Yeah, I gathered. But his plan didn’t work. I don’t know…”
“You’re too sweet for your own damn good,” Torin muttered under his breath.
“Don’t I know it,” I clipped back more to myself than him.
After slipping on one arm of my jacket, I had to spin in a circle to find the other.
Where the heck did it go?
I started to giggle at the absurdity of my jacket playing games with me like Tom chasing Jerry round in circles. My laughter intensified.
“That was what I was afraid of.” Torin’s hands pinned me in place; his rough voice like velvet dragged slow across my skin.
I stopped breathing and peered up at him. “Say it again.”
“What?”
“Anything,” I breathed.
“Jesusfuck.” It was even more guttural than before.
My eyelids drifted shut as I absorbed the euphoria that washed over me.
“We’ve gotta get you home and quick.” He ushered me toward the front entrance of the building. “Think you can walk? There’s no way I’m putting you on my bike like this.”
“Yeah, I’m good. I’mrealgood.”