Victim by Design

COLE

I've been sitting on the couch for almost an hour. Every breath feels like someone is dragging a blade across my ribs. I didn't expect it to hurt this much. The guys I paid didn't hold back. I told them not to stop until I could barely stand. I needed this to be convincing.

I shift on the couch and immediately regret it. A sharp pain slices through my side. I grit my teeth and press m