Today’s snippet theme is Scary. Below is one of my favorite scenes from a book that I wrote with authors Aliyah Burke and McKenna Jeffries for our free read site called Satin Notes. It is long so placed it behind a link. Enjoy.
An snippet from Break Every Rule…In a glance, she took in a gagged Taggart, tied to the chair in the center of the room. He was looking at her. The dogs were all laying on the floor, spread throughout the room. Instinctively, she turned and raised her hand.
“I’ll give you some love,” a voice hissed.
Dominique looked into crazed eyes. She pulled her hand back and punched out with her fist. Her assailant took the blow and hit her arm. The sharp sting of a needle registered a second after it plunged in and the depressor pushed.
Dominique’s surprised look was met with a chilling smile. “Welcome to my party.”
A woozy feeling filled Dominique. She shook it off and jumped at her attacker, but her aim was off. The target moved, then lashed out with a fist, catching Dominique on the side of the head. She fell back, then rushed the individual again, sustaining another hit for her trouble. Dominique lashed out, grunting as her fist hit flesh. She gripped a hand, twisted, and felt the arm break. A voice shrieked, and then another blow hit her in the chest. She stumbled back, but righted herself. Her head swam. Dominique refused to give into it. She swung and hit flesh again. A kick in her leg made it buckle, and she fell onto her back. The enraged face filled her vision.
“You broke my fucking arm! You cunt!” her attacker screamed.
Dominique smiled, a nasty grin. “I’m going to break more than that, Kelin.” She laughed.
Kelin roared, then punched out. Dominique caught her fist, then decked her. Blood spurted out of her nose. Dominique laughed again. Kelin growled and lashed out with her broken hand. Dominique grabbed it and twisted. Kelin howled, then kicked her. Pain blasted through Dominique, and blackness filled her vision. Gasping, she released Kelin, struggling for consciousness and breath.
“I’m going to kill you. Kill you,” Kelin sang in a broken voice.
Dominique fought to stay awake, but it was useless. Oh God, not again. I have to protect him. The darkness claimed her.
Dominique bit back a groan as she woke. Cautiously, she kept still and tried to figure out where she was. From the feel of it, she knew she was lying on the carpeted floor. She shifted slowly and felt the bite of ropes on her wrists, tied behind her back. A hysterical voice broke the silence.
“This would never have happened, Taggart, if only you’d have noticed me. We were so good together. All those late hours working as a team. A couple. Then you had to get all wrapped up in that bitch. You didn’t pay attention to the warnings I gave you. You should have left her!” Kelin raged.
She paused, then paced. Dominique heard the drag of her shoes on the carpet.
Kelin’s tone softened and went sickly sweet. “But I know you didn’t mean it. She had you in her trap. Once she’s gone, we can be together. You, me, and the dogs. They’ll learn to like me. We’ll have to put hers to sleep, of course.”
Kelin made a humming noise. Dominique opened her eyes to slits. Kelin’s back was to her as she straddled Taggart on the chair. Kelin made the sound again.
“I want a real kiss. I’m going to take off your gag.” Kelin laughed, attempting to sound sultry.
Dominique realized Kelin was kissing Taggart. She tamped down her rage. Kelin reached up, then swore as her left hand hung uselessly at her side.
“That bitch broke my arm.” Kelin looked over her shoulder.
Dominique closed her eyes and regulated her breathing. She heard the drag of Kelin’s footsteps on the carpet. Holding still, Dominique poised herself to spring.
“He’s mine, and he’ll forget you,” Kelin spat.
Her voice sounded too far away for Dominique to take her out.
A brief pause, and then her footsteps hurried back to Taggart. “Now for that kiss.”
Dominique silted her eyes again to see her. Kelin stood to the side of Taggart as she used her right hand to take off the tape from his mouth. Blood ran down the side of Taggart’s face. He looked at Dominique, his face calm, then turned to look at Kelin.
“Kelin, let me go so I can check on Dominique. She’s-“
“Forget her!” Kelin screamed, lashing out and hitting him across the face.
She will pay for that. Dominique’s body tensed.
Taggart shook his head and spit the blood out of his mouth.
“Look what you made me do,” Kelin whimpered, and cleaned at his face.
Taggart jerked his head away from her. Kelin’s eyes narrowed, and she grabbed his chin. She smiled, then kissed him. Gasping, she drew back and hissed.
“You bit me!” She raised her hand to hit him again.
Dominique couldn’t let it happen. She laughed, a nasty sound. Kelin whirled and looked at her. Dominique made sure their eyes met, then let all the contempt she felt for Kelin show.
“You’re pathetic, Kelin. Wanting a man who doesn’t want you. Even if you kill me, he’ll never be yours.” Dominique could see the rage in her eyes.
“Shut up.” Kelin’s body quivered.
“To think, all this time you were pulling those juvenile pranks to get attention. We laughed at them, Kelin. Laughed at you, hanging around, waiting like a dog-“ Deliberately, Dominique paused, then continued. “Actually, that would be an insult to the dogs. They are so much smarter.” She laughed again.
Kelin roared. Dominique tensed, waiting. Kelin ran to the side table, grabbed a knife, and ran at her. When Kelin reached her, Dominique lashed out with her leg. Kelin’s knee buckled, and she screamed. Kelin slashed down with the knife. Dominique rolled into her. The knife embedded in her shoulder. Ignoring it, Dominique butted her head into Kelin’s chest. Kelin fell back, then scrambled to her feet. Dominique kicked out and flipped to her feet. Kelin moved. Dominique mirrored her. They circled each other.
“You missed. Can’t even do that right,” Dominique taunted.
Kelin growled and rushed her. Dominique waited until she was close, then sprang up in the air into a back kick. Kelin flipped back and crashed to the floor. She whimpered and tried to rise. Dominique walked over to her, then looked down.
“Stay the fuck down.” She kicked out with her leg, knocking Kelin in the side of her face.
Kelin made a sound, then went slack. Dominique watched, making sure she was out. Then she turned and made her way to Taggart.
“Are you okay?” Dominique demanded.
“I’m fine. I’m not the one with a knife in my shoulder,” Taggart growled.
He struggled to get off the chair to which he was tied.
“Stay still. I don’t know if you have any other injuries,” Dominique snapped.
“You’re bleeding more than I am.” Taggart looked at her like she was crazy.
Dominique sighed. “I know, and it’ll get worse.”
“Wha-“ Taggart started.
Knowing it was going to hurt with the knife in her shoulder, Dominique knelt and moved her hands, which were still tied behind her, under her legs until they were in front of her. She battled back nausea and the desire to pass out. Her sight wavered. Closing her eyes, she fought it. After a few moments, she opened her eyes. There was a look on Taggart’s face she wasn’t sure of.
“What?”
“Badass. You’re a badass. My hero,” Taggart said.
“Shut up. Let me get you loose,” Dominique grumped.
She went around behind the chair and worked on the ropes. Her hands, slick with blood, kept slipping on the knots. Cursing, she gritted her teeth, then reached up with her bound hands. In a quick movement, she pulled the knife from her shoulder. Gasping, she sat down hard on the floor behind him.
“Dominique!” Taggart called.
She shook her head and looked at him. His face was grim and concerned. Quickly, she used the knife to cut her ropes off her wrists, then crawled to him and cut his. Weak, she fell back, leaning against the couch, and let the knife drop from her hand to the floor next to her. Taggart flew off the chair and threw it out of his way. He reached for her. She batted his hand away.
“Go tie up Kelin before she wakes.”
“You didn’t kill her?” Taggart ignored her order, still trying to get to her shoulder.
“I want her to suffer for all she did. Now, go tie her up,” Dominique growled.
“I’m seeing to your shoulder first.” Taggart glared at her.
“Fine. I’ll tie her my damn self,” Dominique huffed and tried to stand.
“You’re so fucking stubborn. Stay there. I’ll do it.” Taggart put his hand on her leg, stilling her.
He went across the room to Kelin. He looked around and spotted the rest of the rope she’d had and tied her with it. Dominique looked at the dogs, who seemed okay, but were still out cold.
“Check on the dogs, too,” she called.
Taggart went out the door, but was back in seconds with strips of cloth. He ignored her instructions and came back to her. Dominique tried to stand again.
“Stay right there, or I will beat you,” he growled.
She looked at him, pursing her lips. Taggart knelt next to her and started to bind her shoulder. He was muttering about stubborn pains in the ass. Dominique stifled a laugh. He tightened the cloth on her shoulder, and she gasped.
“Now that you’re fixed up, I’ll go check the dogs. Sit there and do not move,” he snapped.
He went around the room and checked on the dogs. Dominique breathed a sigh of replied when he nodded his head.
“They’re okay.” Taggart stood, then went toward the panel on the wall. “Let me call for help.”
“Taggart, come here,” Dominique ordered.
“I don’t appreciate being ordered around, Dominique,” he bristled.
“Just come here, now,” she growled.
Taggart walked over to her. Dominique stood to meet him. She wobbled, unsteady on her feet. Taggart gripped her.
“Damn it, Dominique. I told you to stay put,” Taggart admonished.
“I need to say this standing up.” Dominique replied, then continued. “You remember a couple of days ago, when I said I had something I wanted to tell you?”
“What? That doesn’t matter now. We need to get you to a h-“
“It matters,” she said, cutting him off.
“Christ, you’re bleeding and nee-“
She put her hand over his mouth. “Shut up, Blade. I need to say something.”
Taggart glared at her and made noises.
“Blade, just shut up so I can tell you I love you!” Dominique screamed.
Taggart stiffened, then stilled. Dominique removed her hand from his mouth. He studied her. Dominique shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny.
“That is what you wanted to tell me, and you thought I wouldn’t like it?” he asked curiously.
“Well, I know I’m not that easy to get along with. And, well, I can be opinionated. Don’t you dare agree with that. ” Dominique narrowed her eyes.
Taggart put up his hands, then grinned. “I wouldn’t think of it.”
Dominique looked at him and waited. Taggart continued to grin like a fool. Finally, she couldn’t take it.
“Is that all you have to ask or say?”
Taggart rocked back on his heels. “Yep.”
Disappointed and pissed all at once, Dominique turned away from him. Taggart caught her and pulled her to him. She refused to look at him. Gentle fingers raised her face to his. Her breath caught at the tenderness in his dark grey gaze.
“I love every opinionated, hard-to-get-along-with bone in your delectable body, Dominique Rule,” Taggart said.
“You couldn’t leave all that out and just say, ‘I love you’?” Dominique asked, exasperated.
Taggart chuckled. “Yeah, but where’s the fun in that?”
She smacked him in the chest with her hand. Taggart caught it and raised her fingers to his lips.
“I love you, Dominique Rule, with all my soul.” Taggart’s husky voice stroked along her sense.
He kissed her fingers one by one. Looking into his eyes, Dominique saw her future.
“I love you, Taggart Blade,” she said, and licked his fingers.
Taggart laughed in joy and picked her up. Laughing with him, she cupped her hand behind his head. She ignored the pain in her shoulder and kissed him.
Taggart murmured and deepened the kiss.
The sound of clapping broke them apart. Dominique looked up and stiffened. Taggart turned his head and went rigid. She slid down his body and stood in the circle of his arm
“How touching,” a snide voice said.
“Dean,” Dominique whispered, looking down the barrel of the gun pointing at them.
Dean Harold smiled nastily. “The hero has won the fair maiden. They defeated the villainess. Then they declare their love. How quaint.” He glanced at Kelin, who was stirring on the floor close to him. “You’re useless.” He pointed the gun he held at her, then shot her between the eyes.
Dominique stepped forward.
“Uh-uh. Don’t move.” Dean turned the gun on her, stilling her movement.
He glanced at Taggart, then back at Dominique. “There’s only one problem. The villainess is dead, but what about the second act? Dumb, dumb, dumb. We have a villain also, but unlike the villainess“--Dean kicked Kelin and walked closer to them--“I don’t take chances of failure.” He shifted the gun and pulled the trigger.
Taggart gasped and fell back. Dominique turned and saw the blood as he fell back onto the couch.
“Taggart!” She fell to the ground at his side and reached for him. “Oh God, please don’t take him from me.”
A mocking laugh came from behind her. “Come now, Dominique, I expected better of you. Whimpering like a pussy after a man.”
Rage filled her. Still whimpering, she reached down and felt the handle of the knife.
“Come here, Dominique,” Dean called, a warning in his voice.
She shifted the knife to the hand of her uninjured shoulder. In a swift movement, she turned and threw the knife at him. At the same time, a shot rang out, and then another. Glass shattered from the front window. Dean gurgled as the knife entered his throat. Blood blossomed from between his eyes. He stumbled forward and fell. The back of his head shot off. Dominique looked at the doorway. Hunter’s face was cold as she lowered her gun. Dressed in high heeled sandals and a pale gold sundress, she stepped further into the room. She kicked the gun away from Dean, then went over to Kelin and checked her pulse. She shook her head, then stood. Dominique glanced at the window, and Alton Blade, Taggart’s brother, lowered his gun. He climbed in through the now glassless window.
Turning, Dominique ran her hand over Taggart. His face was pale, and blood flowed over his shirt. Tears rained down her face, and she could hear someone screaming. She didn’t realize it was herself. A hand gripped her shoulder, pulling her away. Lashing out, she fought.
“Dominique!” a harsh voice called as firm hands gripped her.
She looked at Alton’s grim face. “I need to help him,” she said.
“You’ve done all you can, honey. Let the EMTs help him,” he said gently.
Confused, she looked around and realized the room was filled with people. Prentiss and his team were helping Ulrich and his men. Some of Taggart's brothers and sisters were there. The EMT workers were trying to get to Taggart. Another pair of hands gripped her shoulders. She looked back and met Hunter’s worried gaze. Hunter helped her stand and pulled her out of the way. The men moved in and tried to stop the bleeding.
“Taggart pressed his panic button, and we came as soon as we got it.”
Dominique looked at Hunter, confused. Hunter continued.
“I was out to dinner with Alton when we got the page from Prentiss. He and his men were already at their homes, but still had their coms open to Taggart. They called Ulrich, and they all came, too. Alton and I got here first.” She looked at Taggart.
Dominique followed her gaze. They were lifting him onto a stretcher. Hunter spoke again, catching her attention.
“Who would’ve believed it? There were two of them. No wonder we couldn’t pinpoint who it was. It wasn’t a who, but two whos. It’s finally over.” Hunter squeezed her hand.
“Yeah, I guess you all were right after all. He had a crush on me.” She glanced at Dean Harold. The coroner was zipping him into a body bag.
Pain filled Dominique, and fatigue. She looked back at Taggart. They were wheeling him out. She took a step toward them, and her knees buckled. Hunter caught her and lowered her to the floor. Blackness threatened to overwhelm her. Nausea rolled in her stomach. Her ribs started to ache. Coughing, she tasted blood in her mouth. Her whole body started to ache.
“Dominique!” Hunter screamed. “We need some help over here!”
Dominique gripped her hand. “Take care of Taggart. Promise me.”
“There no need for that. You’re not going to die. Damn you, Niq. You’re not going to die!” Hunter cried.
“Prom-“
She slid into unconsciousness, welcoming relief from the pain.
“Don’t you die on me! Where are you hurt?” Hunter screamed.
From a great distance, she heard Hunter. Take care of Taggart for me.
Copyright © 2008 Aliyah Burke, McKenna Jeffries and Taige Crenshaw.
All Rights Reserved, Satin Notes.
Check out the rest of Break Every Rule and more free reads at Satin Notes - http://satinnotes.com
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