Page 181 of Unchained

I hear the footsteps approaching down the hallway, and I poke my nail into Tate’s arm to get his attention.

“Tate. I’m going to tell you what’s about to happen so you’re prepared.” I say quietly.

He nods. I know the script down here; they’ve used the same one for years, and I’d bet my life they’d keep it the same to keep the psychological fuckery going on with me. But it’s not going to work. I’m stronger than they think now.

“They’re going to beat the ever-living shit out of one of us. Whichever one they choose, the other needs to get into position to grab the keys. The guards always have them hanging off their pants on one of the belt loops. I wouldn’t recommend fighting back yet; we play it smart, the long game. Work out who the hell is really behind this. Are you in?” I ask.

He runs a hand over his face. “They better come for me, Gianna. I can’t sit back and watch them beat you.”

A small smile forms on my lips. “Trust me, Tate. I can handle it.”

My mouth snaps shut as two guards storm in. They’re masked, but their dark eyes lock on me. I don’t flinch; I keep my chin held high. They stop in front of my cell and reach for their keys. Still in the same place they always were.

These two have probably kicked me until I’m unconscious before. Tate rattles the bars.

“Pick a fight with a man, fucking try me, you pussies,” he grits out.

And that right there is the Sterling way. There was no way Tate was about to go down without a fight and let them hurt me.

It works; their attention is on him, and they’re unlocking the door. Tate obviously goes against my instructions, and the first thing he does is slam his fist into the first guard's jaw, sending him flying against the railings. But that gives the opportunity for the second to return the favor right back to Tate.

“Fuck you.” Tate lashes out against the masked guard.

Another fist lands, cracking against Tate’s jaw. They throw him to the floor. One guard pinning him down, the other beating the life out of him. Kicking. Punching. Stamping.

Tate’s dark eyes open, landing on me. I choke back the tears threatening to stream. Because I remember being in his position. Masked men kicking the shit out of me, and there was nothing I could do about it. Tate tried fighting back; he gave it a good go too, but it wasn’t enough.

This is what my life used to look like, and I’ll forever kick myself that I didn’t stop it sooner. But that girl is dead now, and I am who remains.

This prison is what forged me into the person I am today. And it’s going to be exactly why I get out and kill them all.

I’m getting us out of this hell.

I slam my hand over my mouth as I creep forward. Sliding my arm through the railings, I reach for the guard closest to me. There are two of them, and this one has his back to me; the other one is too busy trying to stop Tate from swinging again.

My finger brushes the set of keys. If I yank them, the guard will feel it, and then we’re screwed.

I nod to Tate, then to the second guard. “Distract him,” I mouth.

He somehow manages to find the strength to push out at the guard, which topples him to one side, giving me the perfect moment to snatch the keys from his belt loop in the commotion. I shove them down my bra and give Tate a thumbs up. So at least he knows we did it. Step one done.

The guard furthest away grabs Tate by the hair; it happens in slow motion as he slams his skull against the concrete floor.

“Get the fuck off him!” I scream, bashing at the railings. “Tell them to come and fucking speak to me. Tell me what they want! I’ll do it!”

The guard nudges Tate, and he groans in response.

“Tell us what we need to know, Gianna,” the guard grunts. “He’s alive for now. You want to keep it that way, you talk.”

I cross my arms. “I’ll talk to the next asshole up the chain, not the fucking guards.”

The doors swing open, and the air rushes from my lungs. All I want to see is Colten. But that isn’t who I’m greeted with.

I drop down to my knees, sliding my arm into Tate’s cell and latching onto his ankle to shake him. “Tate. Wake the fuck up,” I snap.

He’s part of my family now, and I have to protect him.

His fingers twitch and blood trickles from the back of his head. Fuck.