Sapphire
Life, as I knew it, was over one year ago.
I lost my family, my home and any support that came with it.
Living in a crappy apartment with my roommate and working two jobs was not how I envisioned my future.
However, that was one of the things my family had taught me.
Dreams and illusions held no power in the real world.
All this was worth it though as long as I knew I was safe.
Until he showed up, shattering any peace I had.
Sociopath
Violence towards those who wronged me was my only salvation and revenge.
Nothing brought me greater pleasure than the pain and suffering I inflicted on my victims.
Until I met her.
She became my obsession.
Sapphire.
My Sapphire.
If I were a better man, I would have left her alone and never made her part of my life.
But I was a monster.
And monsters didn't have hearts.
Chapter 1
Monster
Sociopath
The man in the chair was pinned to the wall with several straps across his chest. He cried out in pain as I relished the exquisite torture my hands inflicted on him. It was truly a work of art to make a man suffer agonizing pain, but not enough to die.
I’d mastered it for many years, learned everything there was, and practiced my craft religiously.
Knives, guns, chains, wires.
Nothing was off limits for me.
I loved this—the feeling of power and knowledge that I could play with my victim for days, and sometimes, if the mood struck me, for weeks. When I finally had enough, and it was always about me, I’d kill the fuckers quickly. They tended to get on my nerves with all their whining.
The most boring part in the whole process was disposing of the body—not much work there—and then covering my tracks so the traces would never bring anyone to me.
However, the idea of anyone suspecting me of such things was laughable.
I was the one who sent condolences to their wives and families, if they had any, and the one who actively participated in police searches.
People were very naïve sometimes. They had no idea appearances could be deceiving.
What they thought was good, might be dark.
What they thought was dark, might be the only salvation to human kind.
“Mercy.” The fucker was choking on his own blood; his voice was barely a whisper, and his eyes were wide with fear. It made me chuckle.
“Never.” I held the knife, small but sharp, and engraved small patterns on his back, which earned me another cry of pain. The familiar, disgusting smell of urine filled the air. How many fucking times could this guy piss his pants? Adjusting my nose mask better on my face, I continued to write the names on his back, so he would know what the fuck he suffered for.
You’d probably think I was a monster.
Well, you wouldn't be wrong.
I loved torture and pain, but only when I was the one to inflict it.
I was the witness, judge, and executioner all at once.
No one knew better than I did what it was like to be in their position.
Helpless.
Afraid.
Starved.
Neglected.
And in pain.
Always in fucking pain.
No one was born a monster.
He made me the person I was, and I was glad for his ‘gift.’
Sociopath took care of men like him, made sure they suffered to death. They would never get an easy death from me. I’d make them suffer for all the shit they’d done. It was fun and well deserved.
Mercy. What a funny concept.
I would never have mercy for anyone in this world, let alone for people who were the same monsters as I was.
Life wasn't that generous.
I was not that generous.
No one knew about it; no one knew my name. They only knew a nickname.
Sociopath.
And those who received an e-mail with that name knew the end was coming.
It was part of my high, to watch them for weeks being cautious, uneasy, and frightened of every step. They knew why they would suffer.
Life was fucking great.
It thrilled me.
And I never wanted more.
Women were interchangeable, and I only used them when I needed a cover.
I never wanted to touch them, never wanted them to touch me. Fucking hated any physical contact with them longer than what was necessary. I never allowed them to touch my dick, or any other part of my body. I had to learn how to please them, so they wouldn't try any stupid moves.
Sex was a chore, a necessary weapon to use when information or access was needed. Nothing more, nothing less.
Until I met her.
Meeting her changed something inside me, and my control snapped.
She was a target, just like everyone else. One touch from her, and she became my everything.
Instead of being repulsed by her, I yearned to touch her, and for her to become undone under me. My head was filled with images of our bodies covered in sweat when she was spread on the mattress in my dungeon, her body covered in my bite marks of ownership.
I never wanted to hurt her, but I wanted to own her. Brand her as mine for the world to see and accept me as I was.
She had the bluest eyes I’d ever seen; it was like looking into the clear blue sky.
They were warm and beautiful.
Sapphire.
My Sapphire.
If I were a better man, I would have left her alone and never made her part of my life.
But I was a monster.
And monsters didn't have hearts.
Knowing what you know now of writing, publishing, and putting your art out into the world, if you could go back to the day you sat down to start typing in your very first manuscript, what words would you offer to yourself? Words of encouragement? Words of advice? Caution against certain pitfalls? Would you change anything about how you got to where you are today?
The publishing community is so much bigger than it was before the self-publishing boom and it continues to grow exponentially every day. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a handbook or support group. The book is to provide words of encouragement or advice to those just starting out or those who have become discouraged in their art. At Pure Textuality PR, we believe in supporting each other as a community, and we felt this project would be a good way to bring writers together and maybe give some new artists just the right nudge to keep going.
100% of the net proceeds of #amwriting will go to benefit The Wayne Foundation, a charity dedicated to offering aid and services to young women victimized by illegal sexual exploitation and the sexual trafficking of minors.
Book Blurb:
About Laura Kaye:
Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty books in contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink and upcoming Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
