Mending the Beast (Awakening Pride #10) - Lacey Thorn Page 0,67

gaze settled on her.

“Looks like someone came to get you. Too bad, I’m not done with you yet.” He headed toward her, pulling a large hunting knife into view. “I’m going to release you, and we’re going to make our way out of here. Just you and me. If you try anything, I’m going to gut you and leave you in pieces for them to find. Do you understand me?”

She nodded. She understood he was going to free her, which would leave him wide open for attack. If he thought a knife would stop her from taking his throat, then he wasn’t as familiar with cats as he thought.

He freed her feet first, being careful to stay out of range. Ariel flexed them, loosening her legs, so she’d be ready. One wrist was freed, then he placed the blade across her throat so tightly she felt the trickle of blood as he nicked her.

“I’m going to free your other hand and pull you off to stand in front of me. If you move, I’ll slice you open. I can leave your head here for them to find. Your body will stay warm for a few hours.” He winked. “Lots can happen between now and then.”

“Jesus, you’re a sick fuck.” He was going to fuck her dead body? The doctor had hit the nail on the head with his depraved comment.

The knife pressed harder, nicking more of her skin and sending a steady stream of blood down over her chest. She clenched her teeth and sucked in a breath as she tried to pull back from the blade. There was nowhere for her to go. Her other hand was freed, and he was pulling her to him when something slammed against the door. Both their gazes flew in that direction.

“Let’s go, kitty cat,” Hughes murmured at her ear. He had her back pressed along his chest. One arm was wrapped around her waist while the other maintained the hold on the knife at her throat. She’d reached up with both hands to pull at the arm around her throat, but her blood was making it too slick to get a good grip.

Another slam against the door and Ariel saw the lock wasn’t going to hold. Another hit and it might give way, letting her mate inside. She knew he was out there. Was aware of his presence with every fiber of her being.

Don’t let him take you out of that room! Daniel’s order filled her head. I can smell your blood.

He has a knife to my throat, she warned her mate. I’m bleeding, but I’m okay.

I’m going to rip out his fucking throat.

Another hit and the door flew wide, bouncing against the wall as Daniel entered in lion form. God, he was majestic. Huge. And angry. His roar shook the room as he padded slowly toward them.

“Stop,” Hughes ordered. “I’ll slit her throat before you can reach me. You might kill me, but she dies. Do you want to watch your mate die?”

Daniel growled low in his throat, flashing his teeth in displeasure. Ariel knew she should be scared. Instead, she felt complete trust. All Daniel needed was the knife away from her throat, and he’d be on Hughes before the other man could blink. She knew what she had to do. She’d have to be quick. There was no room for second chances. If she failed, she was dead. She knew it.

Be ready.

Ariel, what are you planning?

I’m going to give you the opening you need. Take him out. She blinked, took a deep breath, and kept her gaze on Daniel.

“I love you.” She spoke her vow aloud. If anything happened, she wanted him to remember that she loved him.

She got a grip on Hughes wrist with one hand, managing to slide her palm between the blade and her throat. She used her other hand to grasp the arm he had locked around her waist. Gripping his thumb, she jerked hard, using every ounce of strength to twist so he had to follow with his hand or risk her snapping his thumb.

He pressed the blade tighter at her throat and jerked the blade across the hand she slipped between. He slit her palm, the cut flaying her skin wide as the serrated edge dug deep into her flesh.

With a scream, she closed her hand around the blade and shoved it away. As she forced his arm from her waist, she pivoted, stepping away from him and turning, so she faced him.