chapter thirty-eight

The crinkle of the black tissue paper was the only sound in the room as I folded the lip gloss and neutral eyeshadow palette, careful not to let my shaking hands tear the paper. I was about to put the customer’s address on the bubble wrap envelope when my phone buzzed, alerting me to a new text from Orpheus. He wanted to meet me at the back door, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he wanted.

I walked through my house, my footsteps muffled by the plush carpet, and opened the back door, letting in a gust of cold air. Orpheus stood there with a broad smile on his face, but my eyes were drawn to the man standing next to him. It was Hadrian. I hadn’t seen him since he left me tied to my bed a week ago. His hands were shaking, and he had a black eye and a healing split lip. I wanted to ask what had happened to him, but my attention was drawn to the bound man with a sack over his face at their feet.

“Come on in,” I said, stepping aside to let them enter. I led them down to my basement, where my makeshift lab was set up. The man was gagged, and I could hear muffled sounds coming from the bag. I helped them bind the man to my metal table, and as I did, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement building inside me.

“This is for you,” Orpheus said, gesturing towards the bound and gagged man. “A gift to help make up for everything.”

I looked at him, then at Hadrian, who was trying to avoid my gaze. He was still shaking, and his hands were covered in dried blood. I wanted to ask what had happened to him, but I couldn’t find my voice.

“I’m sorry for what I did,” Hadrian said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I shouldn’t have treated you like that. I was out of line.”

I didn’t know what to say, and I couldn’t help my gaze from shifting from Hadrian back to the man on the table. I could feel the excitement building inside me, a mixture of anticipation and adrenaline. I wanted to ask them what they had done to the man or who he was, but I couldn’t find the words.

I couldn’t deny the thrill that coursed through me as I reached for the bag over the man’s head. The man in front of me was middle-aged with graying hair. The terror in his eyes, along with his face littered with bruises, made it hard to identify him at first. I looked up to Orpheus and Hadrian, both having twin expressions of compassion. Then it clicked, and through hazy memories, I recognized my rapist. The very reason why I hunted the predators I do.

I had never expected to see him again. Until now, my mind didn’t even allow me to remember his face. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt an overwhelming mix of fear, grief, anger, and excitement. This was the man who had taken something from me, something that could never be replaced. But now, he was at my mercy, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of power over him.

I looked down at him, my gaze hard and unyielding. “You,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “You’re the one who did this to me.”

He stared back at me, his eyes wide with terror. His body trembled and convulsed on the ground involuntarily.

Hadrian was quick to hold me, his arms wrapped around me, my back pressed against his chest. I could feel his heart beating fast against my back, and I knew he understood that despite my ruthless outward appearance, I was a mess inside. I turned to look at him and saw a similar mixture of anger and despair in his eyes that I felt inside. I knew he would do anything to protect me, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for his presence in my life.

As I stared into his eyes, I realized that I had never been more attracted to him than I was at that moment. His strength, his protectiveness, and his willingness to do whatever it took to keep me safe were all qualities that I found irresistible. I was in love with him, regardless of everything that happened between us.

But before I could say anything, Orpheus spoke up, his voice soft and gentle. “Vanessa,” he said, “I know that this man means a lot to you, and I want you to know that you can do whatever you want to him. He’s yours.”

I looked at Orpheus, and I could see the sincerity in his eyes. He was giving me a gift, a chance to exact my revenge on the man who had taken so much from me. I didn’t know how to thank him, but I knew I would never forget what he had done for me.

I turned back to Hadrian, my eyes locked with his. “I love you,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”

Hadrian’s eyes widened in surprise, and then he smiled, his arms tightening around me. “I love you too, Vanessa,” he said, his voice filled with emotion. “I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”

I leaned into his embrace, my heart overflowing with happiness. I knew that I had found the two men who would always be by my side, no matter what. And I knew that together, we could face anything life threw at us.

As we stood there in the basement, the bound man at our feet, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. I was surrounded by the people I loved, and I knew that we would always be there for each other.

I looked at Orpheus and Hadrian, their eyes fixed on me, and I knew they understood what I was about to do. They had both been there for me, and I knew they would support me no matter what I decided to do.

I took a deep breath, my hand steadying as I prepared to make the first cut. I wanted to savor this moment and to make it last as long as possible. I wanted him to know that I was in control and that I was the one who would decide his fate.

I pressed the blade against his skin, my eyes locked with his. I could see the fear in his eyes, and I knew that he understood what was about to happen. I could feel his body tense, and I knew he was trying to break free, but he was no match for the binds that held him. They held much stronger prey than him before; he had no chance.

I made the first cut, a thin slice down his chest. He cried out in pain, his body jerking against the binds. I could see the blood begin to pool, and it was beautiful. The sight of the vibrant blood will always captivate me.

I continued to cut, my blade slicing through his skin with ease. I could feel my heart racing, and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I was in control, and I was going to make him pay for what he had done to me.

I cut deeper, my blade slicing through muscle and tendon. His painful wail echoed through the air, his body writhing uncontrollably against the tight binds. The blood started to race my knife down his front, making me giggle. It knew exactly where I was going.

Pausing at his pelvis, I couldn’t help but appreciate the gruesome sight of his body, covered in writhing blood. I managed to keep my eyes on him as I switched my knife for the scalpel, my hand trembling in eager anticipation.

I made the first cut, a slight incision across his shaft. His screams of pain and horror echoed through the room as his body thrashed uncontrollably against the unforgiving restraints. With excitement, I could see a thin line of blood forming along the shallow cut.

I was going to enjoy every second of this.