He roared and bucked, his cell phone flying from his hand.

Pain shot through his cheek and she thrust upward, slicing through skin and muscle, scraping against bone.

Jesus effin’ Christ, she was trying to put the knife or scissors or whatever it was into his eye, drag the blade into his orbital socket with the intent to blind him.

Goddammit, how had this happened?

“You little shit!” he screamed, grabbing hold of her hand, forcing it away from his face as blood poured from the wound.

“Die, die, die!” she shrieked, frantic.

Twisting in the air, he forced her arm backward and heard a sucking sound as her weapon was forced from his flesh. The pain! It felt like his face was ripped open. He bucked again. This time her legs lost their hold.

Squealing, she went flying across the room.

Thud!

Her body hit the concrete wall, probably rattling her bones, possibly cracking her skull as she slid limply to the floor.

“What the hell was that?” he demanded. He lunged at her, hot, sticky blood dripping from his chin. For the love of Christ, what was wrong with her? Didn’t she know he could snuff her life out in an instant? He could’ve killed her at any moment, but instead he’d kept her alive.

Because you have to. This one, she has to die second as she was born second. Besides, she’s bait for the other one.

Bleeding like a stuck pig, he reached down, intent on subduing her. But there was no need. She’d obviously been knocked senseless. But he could take no chances. This time he wouldn’t be so foolish. He would tie her as he had originally, feet and hands bound together behind her back. Fuck her need for food and water. So she had to piss or shit? Who cared? She could foul herself. No more Mr. Nice Guy.

He grabbed for her arms, intent on hauling her to her feet so he could adjust her manacles.

One leg shot upward. Bang! Her knee connected with his groin. “Owwwww!”heroared, fury and pain ripping through him, his crotch on fire. Immobilized, he doubled over. Held himself. Crumpled from the sheer agony radiating from the juncture of his legs.

“Bastard,” she hissed, and scrambled quickly away.

From the corner of his eye he saw her scuttle to the spot where his phone had landed.

No!

Through a veil of raw pain he saw her snag the cell, then clamber ungainly up the damned ladder.

For the love of Christ, why had he left it down? Holding his nuts and willing the pain to lessen, he could only ride the wave of pain and watch her flee. God, it hurt. It hurt so damned bad. But he couldn’t let her get away.