Then he changed direction and reached into his pocket for what I knew was the key to the chest. It was like as soon as he looked away, he released me. Like the bonds holding me stupidly to the bed while the door stood open had been broken, and I ran. I bounded up faster than I thought I could move and bolted straight for the door. I didn’t trip, I didn’t think, I just ran. It wasn’t a big room. It would only have taken five or six steps to get to it. But I didn’t make it. And I knew from the look in his eyes that he’d expected me to do just what I did. That he’d left the damn door open on purpose, testing me. I knew it the instant he shot his arm out and caught me just before I could set foot outside the door. Just a breath away from that other room, that brightly lit room.

Death wrapped an arm around my middle and slapped my ass hard before hauling me kicking and screaming back to the bed with the bare stained mattress.

“Let me go!”

He threw me with enough force that I bounced. I scrambled to get away from him.

“You’re so predictable,” he said, his voice calm.

I slid off the bed opposite him and planted my hands on it. I shifted my gaze from him to the door and back.

“Get on the bed.”

We both danced from foot to foot, him mimicking my movements as I bounced left then right, looking for the opportunity to run.

“Just let me go! You don’t have to do this.”

“Get on the fucking bed.”

God, he sounded bored of all things. Fucking bored.

“I don’t know what you’re being paid, but I can pay you more.” It was a total lie. I had no money.

I took two steps, then stopped when he matched them, standing opposite him on the other side of the bed.

“No, you can’t. Now get on the bed, and I’ll take your obedience into consideration when it’s time for your punishment.”

My ass throbbed at the word. I shook my head and this time, went for it. I just went right for the door even though I knew I wouldn’t make it. He was faster. He was bigger. And he was stronger. So when the door slammed shut almost catching my fingers between it and the frame, I wasn’t wholly surprised.

I whirled around, feeling him so close. Close enough to knee? He hadn’t locked the door yet. If I could—