You're Next (Devil's Backbone, #3)

by Tate James

“Nah, I think I quite like this version of Ashley,” Nate replied with a teasing smirk. “Tied up and gagged…helpless…” Thankfully, Nate wasn’t the one calling the shots, and Royce slashed my ropes with his very useful pocketknife. The very second I could move, I lashed out and punched Nate in the junk. Hard. With full force and all the adrenaline flooding my system just coiled up in that punch. As soon as it landed, I had regrets. That had been harder than necessary. He hadn’t seen it coming in the least and doubled over in shock and pain, the air gusting out of him with a wheeze. It almost sounded like he whimpered something as he collapsed to the floor, and I sat up to pull my gag off as I watched him. “What did you say, Essex?” I demanded, ready to fucking fight. They didn’t seem to understand how hard it’d been for me just lying there watching them all nearly die over and over again in the space of mere minutes. I was so fired up on adrenaline, my fingers were shaking. Nate rolled onto his back, still clutching his crotch in agony. “I said pineapples,” he groaned. “That was too much, even for me. We need a safe word, babe.” Carter scoffed, shaking his head. “Pussy.”