Page 11 of Devil's Sinner

Maybe it was fear.

“But you, dear Violet.” Connor chuckled. “I’m not going to make that mistake with you. Your name will be on a contract. You won’t even remember what it means to be a Cabot when those ropes finally come off.”

“I’m not…” I tried to shake my head, but it didn’t happen.

“Not going to sign it?” He grabbed my arm and squeezed hard enough to hurt, but I was so numb it barely registered. “Is that what you were going to say?”

“Yes.” I attempted to put fire in my response, but it just came out like a weak little whimper.

“Do you know how much suffering a human body can endure before it allows you to die, dear Violet?” He squeezed harder, until I finally felt it. “So much suffering. And just when youthinkyou’re going to die, I’m not going to let you. I’ll hook an IV to your arm and give you just enough sustenance to hold on.”

Connor’s threat was enough to tear another shred of humanity from my mind, like a layer being carved away with a rusty knife. I had to keep pressing him. I needed answers. If I ever did find a way to escape, what he told me could be the key to getting my father out of prison. Even in the depths of despair, I still remembered why I fell on my knees to begin with.

“Was it you, Connor?” I forced my lips to keep moving. “Did you set my father up?”

“Me? Connor laughed. “No. Cabot Enterprises won’t survive long enough for your father to stand trial. I’ve lost more money than I’m comfortable with already. Would I shoot off my nose to spite my face?”

Deep down, even in the depth of torment and despair, I had the mental strength to process what he was saying and understand it was probably true. The only reason my father let Georgia date in the first place was because he was the son of his biggest investor at Cabot Enterprises. Connor still held those investments, along with a lot more, so it would have been senseless for him to bring down my father’s empire. He would have been jeopardizing his own in the process.

“Last chance today, dear Violet.” Connor’s voice got more intense. “Are you going to get down on your knees for me? Are you really going to let me leave here without having your name on a contract?”

“I willneversign it.” I met his intensity with all that I could muster.

“Then I’ll ask again. Tomorrow, the day after, or maybe you won’t hear my voice again for a week. Did you hold on this long for Devlin? Or am I just special?” He walked to the door with heavy footsteps and slammed it.

I might have been weak, weary, and wounded, but I heard the difference in Connor’s tone when he finally gave up for the day. He was getting frustrated. I was suffering, but my suffering wasn’t in vain. I was slowly winning the battle of wills, even if I had lost the physical one in the backseat of his car. I just had to find a way to hold on until someone found me, or I figured out how to escape.

The idea of being kept alive by force didn’t sit well with me, but it was a mistake for Connor to play that hand. It gave me the narrowest glimpse of hope, because if I wasn’t going to die dangling from those ropes, then I was going to be able to keep fighting. I could endure the torment if that was what it took. He claimed my sister, but she was the only Cabot that would ever give herself to him.

Not me.

Not ever.

Devlin might have been a cruel Master, but I got stronger when I fell on my knees for him. I learned that I could endure things I never imagined and fight harder than I ever thought possible. I gave in because underneath the layers of Devlin’s malice was the boy I fell in love with. The one I always wanted. I didn’t have that desire to feel Connor’s hands on my body. If my survival was guaranteed, I could keep fighting. Maybe I would still draw my last breath hanging from his ropes, but I wouldn’t do it willingly.

“Devlin…” I let out a light sigh and pulled my bottom lip between my teeth.

His blood. Blood he sacrificed in pursuit of me. He was searching. He hadn’t given up. I knew him well enough to know that he would go to the ends of the Earth to find me. It was the kind of man he was. If his search led him to Connor then he was on the right track.

“I’m sorry I left you…” I felt what would have been tears if my eyes had the ability to cry, if my body had those resources to spare.

I was going to be in the Devil’s arms again. His blood was evidence. A testament to his devotion. Connor wanted to scare me with it, but I wasn’t afraid of him. My sister lied to me. She spewed Connor’s instructions with no regard for what would happen if I followed them. I didn’t know if what I overheard when Devlin was on the phone was real, or another one of his twisted games.

Maybe he had no intention of actually selling me. Connor wouldn’t have taken me if it was that easy to make a deal.

Survive.

That was my mission.

Long enough for Devlin to find me, or long enough to make my escape.

Maybe they were one and the same...

Chapter 5

Devlin

Iwasstumblingovermy own two feet, barely conscious, and unable to say much when I got to the outskirts of the city.