He clears his throat and stands from the chair, causing it to drag along the floor. Lynell flinches at the sound, her eyes springing open. “Please, Lynell. We don’t have to go through this.”

“We?” Lynell says. Zach sighs and pulls a hand down his face. It’s clear now that he’s not here to save her. He told her to choose good, knowing that would land her here. Anger fills her body and fuels her words, strengthening her resolve. “I forgot, this is so hard and painful for you, Price.” She spits the name, hating how it tastes in her mouth. “I forgot that you’re also tied naked to a table. I forgot that you have a black eye and a busted face. I forgot that you were Registered and kidnapped by your cousin. I’m so sorry for being so insensitive to your feelings. I can’t believe I—”

“Enough!” Zach shouts, cutting her off. He turns and punches one of the walls, making Lynell jump enough to send a new wave of pain through her body. The edge of her vision blurs and she feels dizzy until a shock hits her, starting at her chest and traveling to her fingers and toes. She shouts in pain, her eyes snapping wide open and her limbs stiffening. She gasps, her back arching as far as the restraints will allow. The shocks continue through her body until she’s breathless and the world is blurry.

Her scream reverberates off the walls in the small room even after she has fallen silent. Her eyes water and she gasps, trying to fight off the agony.

“Are you okay?” Zach asks, his voice quiet.

Lynell squeezes her eyes shut and takes several deep, leveled breaths. When she gathers enough courage to speak, she breathes, “Fuck you.”

Zach sighs and steps closer to her. She opens her eyes and notices him looking down at her. “It’s me or someone else, Lynell. And trust me, you want it to be me.”

Her chest tightens, her bottom lip quivers, and her nostrils flare. “Fine. Do your worst.”

“The letter, Lynell.”

“Screw you.”

She glares at him, blood dripping down her chin. Her body continues to tremble from the after-effects of the shock. She feels limp, ready to pass out at any moment.

Then Zach has the nerve to grin. He stands closer to her and mouths, “You’re good.”

Despite the fury filling her stare, a tear falls down her face.

“Okay. We’ll start simple,” Zach says, turning away from her. She watches him walk to the door, knock, and leave. It’s only a few moments before he’s back. Two other men follow him, each holding a bucket.

Zach takes the device off her chest and doesn’t meet her gaze as he drapes a rag over her face.

She panics, jerks away from him, the pull against the restraints painful. She tries to speak, but the rag dips between her lips and before she can make a sound, Zach starts pouring.