Chapter 108

"Bitch! Let go!"

Hammer's eyes burned with fury as he saw his companion's arm mangled by teeth. He swung his arm in a wide arc, delivering a brutal slap. Susan Thompson's cheek swelled instantly, yet she kept her jaws locked on Monkey's arm.

Her eyes blazed with insane hatred, as if she wanted to tear the flesh clean off the bone.

"Ah—!" Monkey's face twisted in agony. He wanted to strike back but couldn't even lift his hand.

Susan wanted to demand they delete the photos, but she didn't dare loosen her bite. The metallic taste of blood filled her throat, driving her to clamp down harder.

She had always despised violence, yet now she reveled in the thrill of vengeance.

Nicole Capra, you'd better pray I die here!

If I make it out alive, I'll make sure you suffer worse than death!

"Madwoman! You're insane!" Monkey hopped in pain while his flustered accomplice scrambled for something to pry her mouth open.

Suddenly, Monkey let out a bloodcurdling scream.

A chunk of flesh slid from the corner of Susan's lips.

She had actually bitten off a piece of Monkey's arm!

"I'll kill you!" Enraged, Monkey grabbed his Swiss army knife, only for Hammer to yank him back.

"What about the two million?" Hammer hissed under his breath.

Conflict flickered in Monkey's eyes before he settled on glaring at Susan. "You'll pay for this later!"

Susan smirked and spat the bloody flesh out the window.

She wasn't afraid of death—did he really think threats would work?

The taunt sent Monkey into a frenzy. He tore open his shirt, ready to lunge. "I'll make you beg for mercy!"

"Ah!" The searing pain from his wound sent him crumpling to the floor.

"Finish her!" Monkey snarled, pointing at Susan.

Hammer stuffed a filthy rag into her mouth. Exhausted, Susan collapsed onto the bed like a broken doll.

But she didn't regret it.

At least she'd had her moment of defiance.

The relentless shutter clicks of the camera told her exactly how degrading those photos would be.

Yet she was powerless to stop it.

In that moment, she finally understood why Bella Quinn had chosen death.

The wooden door burst open with a crash.

Vincent King stood silhouetted against the light, radiating murderous rage.

For a fleeting second, Susan thought she'd been transported back to the dungeon days.

The Vincent who would protect her had returned.

She watched as he kicked Bright across the room and wrested the knife from Monkey's grip. The thugs fled in panic, abandoning even their camera.

Susan's eyelids grew heavier.

She wished this were all just a nightmare.

When she woke, Daniel would call her "Mommy" in that sweet voice. Vincent would tousle her hair gently. Bella would smile and link arms with her.

"Susan!"

Vincent tore the bloodied rag from her mouth, wrapped his coat around her battered body, and crushed her against his chest.

Reason told him to stay away from this woman.

But right now, all he wanted was to fuse her into his very bones—never to let go.