Tristan Davis appeared in the video, kneeling on the ground. His eyes were

downcast, but his back stayed perfectly straight. There was no fear in him, no panic, just a quiet calm. The only light came from a car nearby, washing over him in a soft, hazy glow.

Emily Blair glanced over at Benjamin Gomez.

Benjamin watched her for a long moment, then let out a sharp laugh. "You really are something else. Completely cold-hearted."

He took his phone back, his smile icy. "Seems like you don't care about them nearly as much as they think. If they saw how you reacted, do you think they'd regret ever listening to me?"

Emily lowered her gaze, not reacting at all.

Benjamin's expression darkened, his eyes hardening. "Or maybe you already knew they'd do anything for you. Is that it?"

Suddenly, he grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her head up. He leaned in, his face set in a deep scowl. "You know, I really hate that feeling."

Emily met his stare, her eyes just as cold as his. She didn't back down.

With a grunt, Benjamin shoved her head down. Her skull struck a small rock on the ground, sending a burst of pain through her head. Bright spots swam in her vision.

He shoved his phone in her face, the screen lighting up with a photo. It showed Rose Ward and another woman standing together on a shadowy street corner in the middle of the night.

Emily didn't recognize the other woman right away. Benjamin told her who it was.

"It's a shame, really. They broke their promise and went to the cops anyway," Benjamin said. "So now, Emily Blair, you get to pay for it."

Emily's brow furrowed.

A moment later, Benjamin grabbed her arm and hauled her roughly to her feet.

His hand clamped right over the knife wound on her arm. The pain flared up, sharp and burning, and fresh blood started seeping through the bandage.

With tape pressed over her mouth, Emily could only let out muffled cries.

Benjamin dragged her over to a tree. Most of its leaves were gone, just bare branches left in the biting winter air.

He tied her hands with a rope and tossed it over a branch, hoisting her up so her feet dangled in the air. All her weight hung from her wrists, her arms Stretched painfully tight. The rough rope cut into her skin, and it didn't take long before her wrists turned red and swollen.

Gravity pulled at her, stretching out her arms and tearing at the wound. Blood spilled down her arm, warm against her skin, dripping past her waist.

Her breath came in short, heavy bursts. Sweat broke out on her forehead, her vision blurring at the edges.

Benjamin and his men stood in front of her, arms crossed, staring at her without an ounce of pity.

"If you want to blame someone, blame your two lovers," Benjamin said. "I told them not to call the cops. But they just couldn't listen."

Emily tried to suck in another breath, just as Benjamin gave a quick look to one of the men.

This guy was the biggest of the group, tall and broad-shouldered. He nodded at Benjamin, pulled a black mask over his face and strode over to Emily.

She didn't even have time to look into his eyes before he rushed forward and slammed his boot into her stomach.

Everything went white. The pain

exploded in her gut, shooting out to every limb, Sweat poured downther face and back, her vision swimming as her mind slipped away.