She whimpered, her chest heaving.
“I hired you because you were so dumb and so innocent. You’re the stupid bitch who forgave the woman who killed your baby. Do you know how wrong that is?” Rory was looking down at her, his hand pushing her back to the floor. She fell to her knees. “What the fuck kind of woman are you?”
Avery cried out, trying to get away, but he held her fast.
“They’re right to hate you, your in-laws,” Rory whispered. “You don’t deserve to have a family.”
And he did? Rory had fucked everyone who ever cared about him. He wasn’t even in Avery’s league. He couldn’t understand what she’d done. She’d chosen something good over revenge. She’d put grace and love back into the world when most people would have chosen their hate.
Rory kept his eyes on Avery as though trying to drink in her misery. Liam used those minutes to move more freely, working the knot as fast as he could.
“Leave me alone!” Avery put a fist out, proving she was stronger than Rory believed.
“That is not going to happen,” Rory growled back. His fist tightened, pulling her back off the ground. Liam hated the way her muscles bunched as she fought him. “I put a lot of work into you, bitch, and I don’t buy my brother’s little act. I listened in. I heard the way he fucked you. He sounded like a sad little girl telling you he loved you, telling you he needed you. It made me a little sick to tell you the truth. My brother used to be a real man.”
He used to be a sad man. He used to be a man who just took what was offered and gave nothing real back. He’d been a pathetic manwhore who slept his way through life not really understanding what he could have, what he could give. He slipped another part of the knot, but he was starting to panic. He still only had an inch of purchase between his hands. He wasn’t close yet. He was getting there, but how much would Avery have to endure before he got his act together?
“He’s a liar. He isn’t a man.” The words sounded choked from her throat.
They kicked him squarely in the gut, but he couldn’t show it. “Sorry, darlin’. It was me or Ian. We flipped a coin, and I lost.”
Rory’s eyes narrowed. “So you don’t mind at all if I do this?” His hand dug into her hair, pulling Avery’s body into his. Her limbs were shaking, but she still tried to get away. “Stop fighting me or I’ll gut you here and now.”
“He means it.” Her fighting would do nothing but piss Rory off. She was strong, but no match at all against Rory’s bulk. Rory would let her bleed a little, and then he would still do what he wanted.
“I hate you both.” Avery stilled, but he could see the distaste in her eyes as Rory cupped her breast.
And now he had the added problem of Avery being a shield.
Rory’s hand squeezed. “She’s awfully soft. You’re sure you didn’t want her? When we were growing up Liam always liked the fluffy ones.”
“I like ‘em skinny now.” Just a little more. His wrists were bleeding now, too. The friction had opened chafing wounds on his hands. All the better. More lubricant to make the bonds easier to slip.
And Rory was a bit preoccupied. Rory’s eyes were on Avery’s breast. He’d slipped the gown off one shoulder and stared down. “I like a fat girl. They can handle more than the skinny ones can.”
Avery stared directly at Liam with tearful eyes, but a stubborn jaw. She was enduring. She was taking it, but she had to hate him for every moment she stood there.
It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered until she was safe. One hand slipped free to the knuckles. All he really needed was one.
“I think I’m going to fuck your bitch on the desk. Get on all fours. Liam’s a pervert. He’ll like the show. It’s my final gift to you, brother. After all, you taught me so much. Liam’s the one who took me to my first club. He taught me how to tie up a woman and teach her who the boss really is.”
“Yeah, you were always a lazy ass when it came to lessons.” He moved as fast as he could, slipping one hand free and going for his knife.
Avery went wild, pulling away and punching out. It was perfect because Liam was slower than usual. He bit back against the pain of the circulation starting to flow into his hands again. He forced himself to move, pulling the knife free from his boot.
“Down, Avery!”
Rory slapped her just before she dropped to the ground. Rory reached for his gun, but it was far too late. Before he could even get close, the knife thudded into his chest, Liam’s aim utter perfection.
“Li?” Rory stared down at the knife and pulled it out as he started to drop to his knees. Blood bloomed across his shirt.