SAVAGECOVENANT
Tainted Love Duet, prequel
Part of the Gallo Mafia Empire
JadeMarshallandSofiaAves
Copyright©2024
ContentWarning
Savage Covenant maycontaintriggersforsome Asreaders,wefindtriggerwarningstobespoilers,butasauthors,we understandtheyaresometimesnecessary.Althoughwearenotgoingtolisteachone,therearemany,pleasefeelfreetoemail eitherofuswithyourspecifictrigger(s),andwewillletyouknowifthattriggerisinthisbook.
JadeMarshall: author.jmarshall@gmail.com
SofiaAves: sofiaavesbooks@gmail.com
For those ofyouwho wishtogo inblind,please remember thatthis is a workoffiction,and we do not condone or wishtoromanticizeanyofthesituationsoractionsofthecharacters.
Joinourdark,twistedlittleminds.
Jade &Sofia
Outrunning byRyanJesse Stand Our Ground byNuBreedandJesseHoward Bodies byDrowningPool
IKnowSheAin’tReadybyLukeCombs WaitintheTruckbyHardy
IDon’tDancebyLeeBrice Mountain byDeirksBently Give Heaven Some Hell byHardy Son of a Sinner byJellyRoll Fix’n to Break byBaileyZimmerman Bury Me in Georgia byKaneBrown
TrackList
TenYearsAgo
Dom
Thebarrelofmyowngundigsintothebackofmyhead.Ikeepthegrimaceoffmyfaceandmyhandsstillbymyside. MyattentioncanonlybeinoneplaceifIamtolivethroughthisbattle,anditwon’tinvolvebullets Well,notrightaway.
“Youkilledmyman”Hisvoicecomesfromthewindow,hispresenceundeniable Whenhespeaks,hisownmenquail like tinybirds,readytoscatter.The suithe wears is worthmore thanmyfather’s shittylittle house.He doesn’tneedtoturn aroundformetoknowwhoheis.
TheGalloheir.
TheCyprusDon’sson.
Isnort “Hewasapest Hegotinthewayofbusiness”
Ifnothingelse,thecommentshouldputusoncommonground.Ipraythemanisfair,likesagoodamountoffight,and isn’taspoiled,trigger-happybrat
“Isee.”Heturnssharplyonhisheel,piercingmewitheyesthatlancestraightthroughmysoul.“Andyoudeemedthat worthalife.Why?”
LookingintoRafaelGallo’sfaceislikestandingbeforejudgementwithGodandbegginghimtofindsomethingworth myexistence.Asoul.
My soul
Buthisplaygroundonlyholdsbrokenhalosandtwistedhearts.
Myshouldersdropback,andIstarethedevilfullintheface “BecausehewasonthepaycheckofamanIbelieveyou know.DeclanHennie.”Hisopponentinanongoingterritorywar.
Rafaelinclineshishead.“Iknowhisson.”
“Youtriedtokilleachotherlastweek.”
Theghostofhissmileleavesatrailofashinitswake.“Youlistentogossip?”
“Iwasfightinginthecagebehindyou Thedoorwaslocked,oroneofyouwouldlikelybedead,”Isay,pointedly Helaughssoftly.“Youhavemyattention.”
“DoI?”Iwatchhimfrommystilledposition,wigglingmytoesinmybootstoencouragecirculation “Thenyouknow Henniehasmeninyourhouse.”Ipause.“Inthisroom.”
“Funny thing. I do know that, actually.” The men behind him twitch while neither of us move. “I was looking for someonetohelpmecleanouttherats”
“Itwouldbemypleasure.”Mydeadsmilematcheshis.
Iwhirlontheballofmyfoot,surprisingthemanbehindmetwiceoverwhenIreclaimmygunandfireatthemanathis back,throughmycaptor’smouth.
AdoubletapbehindmecleanstheroomoftherestofHennie’svermin Iturnback,mygunlowered.
Rafaelholdsouthishand.“MayI?”
“Ofcourse”IhesitateafractionofasecondbeforeIpasstheprizedgunover,wonderingifIwilljointhedeadmen litteringhisstudyfloor.
“Beautiful”Hestudiesthemake,themirrorfinishmarredbyfingerprints,buthedoesn’taddhisowntothem “Partof amatchingpair?”
“Itis”
“ThenIwon’ttakeitfromyou.”Hehandstheloadedweapontomebuttfirst.“Wehaven’tbeenproperlyintroduced. RafeGallo.”
Ishakehishand,hisgripfirm,andfindcallousesIdon’texpect “DominicBarese”
Rafegivesmyhandahardsqueeze.“Thankyoufortheassistance,myfriend.Ihavefourjobsgoing,itseems.Would youlikeone?”
Isnort,slippingthegunbackintoitsholster,itsfamiliarweightacomfortatmyback.“I’lldothejob.” “Which?”
“Allofthem.”
ThewornrubbersolesofmybootsmakenosoundasIcreeparoundthebackofthebuildingbehindtheRhodeIsland docks Clammyairstickstomyskin,butthisisusuallyaplaceImonitorbusinessmeetingsfrom,andIshouldbeusedtothe scentofsin-taintedsalt.
Buttonightfeelsdifferent
Holdingmymatchingmirrored AmericanJoe pistols at mysides, I jerkmyhead to the right. The softest crunchof gravel,solightthefaintsoundsoftheworkingdocksatnightnearlywashitaway.Themovementtellsmemybestfriendand myboss,RafaelGallo,followsmydirections.
As the head ofhis ownmafia empire, it’s notmyplace to expecthimto follow myorders. Buthe understands how criticaltonight’sjobistome,andIknowhehasmyback
NotforallthetimesI’veprotectedhim,takingabulletonhisbehalf twice butbecauseheisclosertomethanmy ownfamily Thereislittleenoughofthatleft
Ishake myhead,willingmymelancholyback.Iwill have enoughtime towallow once this is over.Once we getthe girlsout.
Iglance backover myshoulder, but he has alreadyturned the corner ofthe large warehouse we planto infiltrate. I follow him, not watching the direction I should, and run smack into a slab of muscle that should be on the professional wrestlingcircuit
Ilookedupandup andatsixfootfourinchesandbuiltlikeabrickshithousemyself,that’samassivetask.
“Hey,”IgreetthemanjoviallylikeIbelongrightwhereIstand “Didn’tseeyouthere,Bob”
Thebehemoth’seyesnarrow,hisunibrowasdarkashisface.“Whatdidyoucallme?”HisSerbianaccentmangleshis sounds.
Iraiseaneyebrow,searchingmyheadforRussiannames,andcomeupblank.“Jerry?”Itakeastepback,keepingmy handslooseatmysides.Mythumbstouchthebacksofmyguns.“Sebastian?”Itryagain.
Thebehemoth’smouthopensagain,andnevercloses
The percussionwave of the silenced gunthat goes off beside myear leaves mybrainspinning, and gives the giant beforemeanewholetobreatheoutof,atthebackofhishead Notthathe’lleveruseit
Rafeshovesmeforward,hisfistdiggingbetweenmyshoulderbladesasIstepoverthebody,notingthegunhelowers ashefocusesonthedoortoourleft.
“Stopfuckingplayingaround Youwantedtodothisjob Sodoit”
“Yes, sir.” I sketcha one-finger salute at his back, and as if bymind-reading, Rafe returns mysalutations over his shoulder
I snort and stride after him. Rafe’s fingers are on the door’s handle, but when it fails to turn, he rams it with his shoulder,neverstoppinginhisstride Somuchforacovertmission,andalittleelementofsurprise
I shake myhead as he runs out of bullets inthe silencer, aimingat whoever is the unfortunate asshole behind door numberone,andpullsouthisotherguns.
We’rebothpackingtoGodbuttheremainderofourteamhaven’tevencomeinthroughthefrontentranceyet Ifollowhimthroughthedoor,takingalowstanceathisside,andeliminateeverytargetIseeinacleansweepofthe room,missingonlyafewbodies
“Fourbehindthetableonyourleft.Oneupstairs.Watchhim.Thinkhemighthavebeenasniperinanotherlife.”
Droppingmymagsout,Islipnewonesin,rappingthebackofthegunsonmythighstoclicktheclipsintoplace Ipush theslideontopofeachguntoloadthembothatthesametime.
AreportgoesoffonmyrightwhereRafestands.Asoftthudhitsthefloorupstairs,alongwithatinkleofglass.
“Not anymore” Rafe glances downat me, the psychotic glint inhis eyes matchingmyown “Four onyour left, you say?”
“Three”Iraisemygunandfireoffaround “Keepingcount?”
“Whatever,Legolas.”Thenextidiotpokeshisbaldingdomeoverthetopofthetable,andIdecoratedhisforeheadwith anicehole.
“Thatmakesyouthedwarf,right?”Rafeaimstothesideofthetable,leavingonemanalivewithhisdeadfriends. Thelastmanrunsforit Weraiseourgunstogether,andthemangoesdownwithtwomatchingholesinthebackofhis head.
IgnoringRafe’s barb, Itrackanymovementaround the restofthe warehouse. The place is stacked withboxes and a neatrowofshippingcontainersalongalargebackwallthatlookslikeitcanslideopenforeasyaccess.Notasinglehumanis insight
Why do they need all the boxes?
Iblowairoutofmycheeks “Fuckit Wherearethegirls?”
RafewalksquicklytotheofficewhileIturntoinvestigatethebackofthewarehouse,runningmyfingersalongshipping containers,rappingmyknucklesoneachone GodknowswhatelseKirril Singleton Russianborn,Americanmother is smugglingintothecountry,oroutofit,butIwasonlyhereforonething.
WhenItappedonthethirdcontainer,someoneinsideknockedback.
“Rafe,”Icall astherestofourteambustintothefrontofthewarehouse,theirweaponsdrawninaposeworthyofa badeightiesactionmovie.
Iputmyfingersinmymouthandwhistle,jerkingmyheadtooneside
TommyCanaverirunsoverwithapairofboltcuttershepicksupfromthesideofthewarehouse,halfoutofbreathby thetimehereachesme
“Remindmetoteachyourboyshowtojog.”Ishakemyheadindisgust.“Areyoudoingthehonors?”
“We’renotallasoldasyou,asshole.”
Tommywields those boltcutters like he was bornwiththe tool inhis hands Seconds later the padlockdrops to the floorandthedoorswingsopen.
Afine-boned,palebodytumblesout Icatchthegirlbeforeshehitstheground,takinginhernakedstate,andshrugging myjacketfrommybody.
“Sweetheart.”Istaredownatthegirlwhostaresbackwithdark-brown,bloodshoteyes.Herfeaturesarealmostpixielike,herslightlygauntbodygivingheranethereallook,likeshedoesn’tquitebelonganywhereI’veeverbeen.Dark,matted hairtumblesoverherhead,crustedwithfluidsIdon’twanttothinkabout.
What the fuck has she endured?
“Canyouhearme?Howmanyareyou?”Iwrapherinmyjacketandholdheragainstmyshirt.Thegirliscoveredin filth,andGodknowswhatelse Cutsandfadingbruisescoverherbody sothinthatshemust’vebeeninthatcontainerfora decenttime.
“How many?” I lift my chin and yell sharply over my shoulder, dropping my gaze to study her face. She doesn’t respond,evenasIstrokehercheeksandtrytogetsomereactionfromher.
“Eight,”Rafe’svoicecomesfromrightbehindmyhead.
Myheadjerksup “That’snotmany”
UsuallywhenKirrillSingletontraffickedwomen,hebroughttheminbytheboatload literally.“Eightishardlyworth hiswhile”
Idon’trealizeIspokealouduntilRafecrouchesnexttome.“You’reright.”
Somethinginhistoneripsmygazefromthegirlinmyarms.“Whatisit?”
Rafe sighs “Eightalive The others starvation Maybe lackofoxygen There’s no fuckingfood or water inthere, Dom.”
They left the girls to die
Thoughitmakesnosense.Salesondeadbodiesearnednothing.
Isetmyteethasalowgrowlrumblesinmychest,threateningtoexplodethroughmyshirt I’mcradlingthegirltome, nolongerneedingtolookelsewhereastheboyswillcarefortheothers.Bysomemiracle,herbodyshiftsslightlyenoughthatI notice. Her eyes, fixed onme, observe me rightback, buttheydon’twideninfear like Iexpect. Because this is a girl who expectsdeathtocomeforher
She wants todie. I know that look.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” I swear as softly as I can, unwilling to bring her any more fear God knows she’s had a lifetime’s dose ofitalready.Gunfire opens upjustoutside the warehouse,andIduckoninstinct.“Ithoughtwe gotall those fuckers”
“Must’vemissedsome.Areyougoodtogetheroutofhere?”
“I’ll puther onthefrontofmybike.”IfItakethetrucktheyarrivedin,theboyswill havenowayout,andifthey’re outnumbered well,Idon’twanttofindanewemployerinthemorning
“Catch.”ItossthekeystothetruckatRafe,cradlingtheweightlessgirlagainstmychestasIwalkbackoutthewaywe came in Her breathcomes shallow, and she barelyresponds to eachbump and step, thoughItryto make mystride smooth She’llneedawholelotofTLCtobringherbacktotheedgeofthelivingfromwhereshedallieswithdeathinmyarms.Imight beanassholeonSundays,andakillerallweeklong,butIknowI’muptothetask.
Tommygrabsoneoftheothergirlsandfollowsmeout.“I’llputthisoneinthetruck.”
Inod,gratefulthesweatybastardiseagertohelpatleastinthisinstance,evenifhecan’tcopewiththebiggertasks.
Small favors.
Thegirl’sfingerscurlaroundmyshirt,andshestartstotremble.
“That’sgood,honey Youkeepshaking Letmeknowyou’refighting”
Let me know if you ’ re alive.
She’ssofine,andherbreathsoshallow,Icanbarelyfeeleachtimeshesucksinair
Wereachmybikewithoutincident,andIshovemyhelmeton,slidingheraroundthefrontofme.Hertinyframealmost disappearsagainstmine Ipushmyleatherjacketgentlyoverherarms,bundlingheragainstmyfront,wrappingmyarmaround herwaist.
Her head tilts back, and Iknow she’s lookingup atme. Keepingmyeyes forward and notlettingher offer the fatal distractionshecouldbe,Istudythedocksaroundus ApartfromTommyrunningbacktothewarehousefromthetruck,there isn’tanothersoulinsight.Kickstartingthebike,Iholdhertight,rejectingtheneedtoripatmyskinandtearthefilthyscentof thisfucked-upplaceoffme NoshowerwillbehotenoughtoremovewhatSingletondidtothosegirls,frommybodyormy mind.
Herfaceraisesinquestion
Ismile beneaththe helmet, thoughshe can’t see it. “Just takingyousomewhere safe, honey. Get youa nice shower, maybeabubblebath.Howlonghasitbeensinceyou’vehadoneofthose?”Imakeafinalsweepoftheplacebutnothinghas changed “Isthatokay?”
Tomysurprise,she raises one handandwraps itaroundmywristwhere Igripthe handlebars fromthe outside.Her finefingersbarelymakeitaroundmywrist,herpaleskinalmostastranslucentasmypristineshirt
“Youwere inthere for a while, huh? Hold on, now.” Ikeep up myone-sided conversationas Ipeel awayfromthe placewheresheenduredterrors,headingfortheexit.
BythegraceofGodalone,noonechasesus.Thedrivehomeisaninterestingone,though.Thefartherwegetfromthat place,themoreshepressesbackintomychest.Herotherhandreachesouttocurlaroundmythigh,andIfeeltheimprintofher fingertipsbeneathmyblackcombatpantsundermyknee
Itisn’tquitewhatImeantwhenIsaid hold on,butwhatthehellever.IfImakeherfeelsafe,thenthat’swhatwe’lldo.I neverreleasemyarmfromaroundherwaist,holdingherbackagainstmetightly,drivingone-handed
Ihavemorethanfourhundredhoursonthisbike,andit’sanextensionofmyself.Ratherthanpullinguparoundthefront ofRafe’sestate,Idrivearoundthebackoftheblockandusetheremoteinmypockettoopentheloadingbaydoorsattherear ofthecompound.
IdrivestraightuptherampandintotheprivategaragewhereRafekeepshispersonalcollectionofsoon-to-beclassic cars ThemanloveshisEuropeanbuilds don’tweall? whilemycornerhousesafewbikesinrandomstatesofrepair,a sleekblackLambo,andafour-wheel-driveI’vemodifiedthatmoreresemblesatankthananythingelse.
Ireleasethegirl,andshesitsuprightonher ownonthebikeseat,completelystill Takingthehelmetoff,Ishakemy hairout,rakingitbackwithmyfingers,andlookdownather.
Shereturnsmystudy,andIknowshe’stakingineverythingatonce.It’llbeawonderifthetripbackdoesn’toverload her Hereyesskimthemillionsofdollarsofvehicles,andsettleonme Herheadtiltsasshegazesatmeinuttersilence,andI wonderatthedifferencesbetweenus.
Me, the size of a small building, all darkhair, and olive skin The leather jacket and tactical wear implanted with KevlarandtungstenthreadsIwearisworthmorethantheaverageman’swagesforayear.Onher,myjacketlooksmorelikea dress,herslimlegsdanglingfromunderneath,hertinyfeetbare
“Comeon.Youdon’twannawalkthroughtheworkshopbarefoot.Godknowswhat’sonthefloor.”Iholdupmyarms, butyetagainshedoestheunexpected,slidingherhandsoutofmyjacket,leaningawayfromme.
Ishakemyheadandholdahandout,palmup “Keepit YouneeditmorethanIdo”
Quietly, she places myneatlyfolded jacket over the backofmybike and slides bothlegs over the seat. Everystep makeshertoo-thinframewobble,butIknowbetterthantograbherandforcehertodothingsmyway
She wants todothis for herself,takingcontrol ofsomethingone stepata time.There isn’tanyrush,after all,andin pushingherI’llsimplyprovethatI’myetanotherenemyinalonglineofwhateverthefuckhashappenedtoher
Still,Iwalkalongsideheratafewfeet’sdistance,readytocatchherifshefalls.
Shemakesittothedoorleadingintothehouseonpuredeterminationalonebeforeshesinksdownonthefirststep,and looksupatme
Iswearherluminouseyeslancestraightthroughmewiththatpiercinglookthatcutsthroughallthebullshitandleaves mebareinfrontofher Iwanttoscoopherintomyarms,washher,careforher,takeallthepainshe’senduredandkeepitfor myself,butIcan’tdoanyofthat.So,Iwait.
“I’ve got you, honey.” I extend that hand once more and hold my breath. Deep-brown eyes stare back at me from beneathatangleofdirtybrown,Isuspectwilllookmoreabeachyashblondeonceshe’scleanedup.“Ipromisedyouabath, didn’tI?What’syourname?”
Shenodshesitantly,andIbendattheknees,scoopingheruponcemore.Atendriloffilthyhairfluttersunderhernose.I sweepthetinycurlbackbehindherear,lettingmyfingerslingeronherdelicateskin,tracinghighcheekbones.Saidbuttonnose wiggles,andshesneezes
“You’recute.”
Heyeyesshiftbacktomeandashotoffearlancesfromhertome Ishakemyheadslowly.“I’mnotgonnahurtyou,honey.Ipromise.Ever.Willyoutrustmeatleastlongenoughtorun youabath?”
Her brow dips, those eyes mistrustful for a moment before fatigue takes her and she slumps, the little energy she displayedsnuffedout.
Herstrengthfloorsme Theothergirlsdied,andshelived,wasreadytoclaimherfreedomthemomentthatdooronthe shippingcontaineropened.Myheartbeatsalittlefasterandmyarmstightenaroundher.
“There’snicesmellystuffinthere,too Berries Jasminesoapsandthings,Idon’tknow orchids”Hereyesflarea littleatthatlastone.“Okay.Orchidsitis.”
Thetiniesthintofasmilecurvesherpalelips Iwaswrong.Sheisn’tcute.She’sfuckingbeautiful.
IpromisemyselfI’llkilleverymanwho’shurther,evenifIhavetotravelhalfwayaroundtheglobetodoit.Hopefully, they’rehereinRhodeIsland,andI’dbeabletodothejobandbebackintimefordinner Butfirst,Ineedalittlesomethingelsefromher.
“Yourname,honey I’llbuyyoualltheorchidsintheworld”
Shelooks upatmethroughher lashes.Onanother womanthatlookmightbecoy,butIknow itisn’tinher tobethat way,especiallyafterwhatevershesuffered.Lacerationsandbruisesareevidentunderherskininashiftingarrayofcolorfrom howmanytimesshehasbeenbeaten,orworse.
“Yourname,”Irepeatsoftly.
Shestudiesmeforasecondmore,lettingoutabreathandawhisper “Thalia.”
Mygazeneverleavesthemountainofamanashecarriesmethroughthelavishhouse.Idon’tlookaroundortakein anyofthefinerdetailsorexpensivefeatures I’vebeeninsixhousesjustlikethisinthepastthreeyearsandIhavelearneda valuablelesson.Pretty,shinythingslikethisbuildingusuallyhidethemostrottencore.
Heclimbsthestairswithease,myslightweightnothingtohim.Thatbothersmemorethanitshould.AftereverythingI havelivedthrough,thefactthatIlostwhatlittlecurvesIhadirritatestheshitoutofme
“I’mgoingtoputyoudown,”hesayslowly,hisvoicesoothingsomethingdeepinsideme.
Idon’treacttohiswords,though FartoomanytimesIhavethoughtthatamanwouldhelpme,thatthistimewouldbe different,butitisalwaysjustmoreofthesame.
Helowersmeontoalargewhitemarblecounterbeforeslippingoutofthebathroom Iwaitwithbatedbreathuntilhe returnsholdingseveralitemsinhisthickmusculararms.Heopensthewaterandsoonasheenofsteamiscoatingeveryopulent inchofthemassivebathroom.Iwatchhimaddbubblesandabathbombbeforelightingscentedcandlesandplacingthemall overtheroom
IfIwere anyother, less brokenwomanand he wasn’ta manwho justpulled me froma shippingcontainer, Iwould laughattheridiculousnessoftheentiresituation Watchinghimputteraroundtheroomandpulloutpristinefluffywhitetowels inhisapparentnervousnessbroughtasweetedgetohishumanity.
“Um ”Herubsahanddownhisface “I’msureyouwanttobealonebutI’mworriedyou’llfallandhurtyourself” Idon’tsayaword.
“It’s not like I want to take advantage and see younaked or anything,” he rambles, lookingat his feet. “AlthoughI alreadyhave Obviously”
Iremainsilent.Jesus.Whoisthisman?
Slipping fromthe counter, I make sure my legs are steady enough to hold me before releasing the cold stone slab Tiltingmychinindefiance Isteparoundhimandmake mywaytothe bathtub.Steppingin,Itake a momenttobrace myself beforeloweringmybodybeneaththebubbles.
Motherfucker!Thatstings.Icanfeelwhereeveryscrapeonmybodyis.Itmightnothavebeenthebestideatolethim pourallthiscrapinthewater.
“I’llgetyousomeclothes,”hesaysbeforestompingoutofthebathroom,hisshoulderstight
Idon’tmove a single muscle. Sittinginthe middle ofthe tub withmyknees pulled againstmychest, Iwait. Surely, someonewillcomeforme Theyalwaysdo Itwon’tbelongbeforeamanentersandusesmeforhisownpleasure Iseeno reasontocleanmyselfupiftheywillonlydirtymeagain.
Idon’tknowhowlongIsittherebutwhenthedooropens,thewaterhascooledabit.Iwaitfortheinevitablebutwhen nothinghappens,Iturntoseewhat’sgoingon.
“There’sadoctorheretoseeifyouneedmedicalattention,”hesays.Angerblazesinthedepthsofhisentrancinggaze. “She’llwaituntilyou’redonesoyoudon’tneedtorush”
Withastiffnod,heleavesmealoneoncemore.
Whatthefuck?
Is this real right now? Have I actually been rescued from the men that constantly hurt me? Is this man really my salvation?DoIdaregivemyselfthatkindofhopewhenIknowhowdespaircaneasilycrushmeonceIfindoutitisn’ttrue?
Fuck
Releasingmyknees,Ilowermybodyintothewateruntilmyentireheadissubmerged.IholdmybreathaslongasIcan beforecomingupforair Itakemytimewashingmyhairandmybody,wantingtobetrulycleanforthefirsttimeinyears
Steppingout of the water, I wrap myself ina massive, fluffywhite towel before wrappingmyhair as well. Onthe countersitsoneofthoseold-timeyshavingbladesandIgrabit
Ifthisisalie,ifthesepeopleintendtohurtme,Iwillgooutwithafight.It’sthefirsttimeI’veeverhadaweaponto defend myselfwithand Ifullyintend to use thatto myadvantage. Islip the blade betweenmyskinand the towel wrapped aroundmychestbeforeexitingthebathroom
SittinginthecorneronablacksofaisthemanwhobroughtmehereandawomanIwouldassumeisinhersixties.She smilessoftlybutIcanseethefearandstresswrittenacrossherfeatures “Thalia,” the mansays. “This is Doctor White. She needs to checkyouand make sure youdon’tneed anythingmore thanfoodandrest”
“Hello,Thalia,”thewomansays,risingfromherspot.“Ifyoudon’twanttodothis,allyouneedtosayisno.” Isaynothing.Ionlyliftmychinandwalkovertothebedbeforelyingflatonmyback.
“JesusChrist,”themanmutters.
“Dominic,Ineedyoutoleave,”thewomansaysandherwordshavemeshootingupright.
“Doyouwantmetostay?”heaskssoftly
DoI?Ishethegoodguyinthispartofmystory?Idon’tfuckingknow.Butmyheadbobsupanddownandhenodsin reply
Thedoctorapproachesmeslowly.Takingmyarmshetalks,explainingeverythingsheisgoingtodo,butIdon’theara damn word All I do is stare at the ceiling Silence envelops the room as she touches me, first drawing blood and then removingthetowel.Ifeelherslipthebladefromitshidingspotonlytoslideitbeneathmyback.Shedoesn’ttellthemanshe calledDominicandshedoesn’ttrytotakeitawayfromme.
Shechecksallmycutsandbruises,touchingmystomachandputtingalittlepressureonmypelvis
Her face comes intoview as she whispers.“Iamgoingtodoaninternal examnow.Youneedtostopme ifanything hurts”
Iwanttolaughattheludicrousideathatanythingcanhurtmeanymore.Iamnumbfrommysoultomyskin.Ihaven’t feltanythinginoverayear
Iwonderwhatdayitistoday?
Herhandsarewarmasshespreadsmylegsbeforepushinginward.MykneesacquiescetoherhandlingandsoonIam spreadopenforhertosee Ifeelsomethingcoldattheentranceofmycuntbeforesheslowlyinsertstwoglovedfingersinside me. She doesn’tdo muchand soonenoughmylegs are lowered and Iamcovered witha luxurious greyblanket, hidingmy nakednessfromtheirwatchfuleyes
IlistenassheexplainsthetraumashecanseetoDominic.
“Shehasacoupleofbruisesandcuts,andperhapsacrackedrib.Anditwillprobablytakeadaytogetherbloodtests backbutIcanalmostguaranteeyoushehasatleastonesexuallytransmitteddisease.Butitworriesmethatsheisnonverbal, Dominic,”DrWhitesays.
“Shespoketome,”hereplies “Shetoldmehername”
“There’sachance,then.Butthat’snotthebiggestproblem.Shehasbeenrapedandsodomized.Thereisalotoftearing insideher,”shesays,sadnesscoatingherwords “AndDom,somewherealongtheline,thisgirlhasgivenbirth Iwouldguess inthelastyear.”
ForthefirsttimeinforeverIfeelsomething.Excruciatingpain.Turningonmyside,Ipullmykneesagainstmychestas thefirstsoul-rendingsobripsfreeofme.Tearsstreamdownmyface,notbecauseofwhatthedoctorsaid,Ialreadyknewall that,butbecauseofwhatIlost.
Myheart
Mysoul. Mydaughter Hope.
Shewon’tspeak.Nothing.Thaliaremainssilent,nomatterwhatIsay.It’sbeenthreemonthsandhersoftnature the wayshedefiesmewiththesweetestgrace isdrivingmenuts HowamIsupposedtobesupportiveandhelpherhealifshe won’ttellmewhatthefuckisgoingoninsideherprettyhead?Andsheispretty.Nodoubtaboutthatatall.
After monthsofcoaxingRafetoletmepamper her likeaprincess,Thaliaglowsfromtheoutsidein Her skinissoft andradiant,herhairthatIbrushinequalsilencewithhernightly,shinestoahighgloss.Herroomiscoveredinacollectionof orchidsofallvarieties,thoughshekeepsthewhiteonesclosesttoherbed.
It’sthedarknessIsenseinsideherthateatsatusboth.
Theothergirlswerescuedthatnighthavebeenrehomed,exceptforone.ShetookherownlifethenightTommyputher inthattruck Theboysreturnedtofindblooddrippingfromthedoor,herpalehandonthefloorinthemiddleofastainnoneof uscanshake.Sheslitherwristswithapieceofwiretornfromtheinnerworkingsunderthesteeringwheel.Rafeburnedthe truckthenextday,incineratingitwithherremains
Thalia crouched inthe ashes while theywere still hot, collectinghandfuls she putina small vase she stole frommy roomthatwasMother’s.Ididn’tsayaword,takinghertotheendoftheNewportwalkwhereshefreedtheunnamedgirlinto thearmsofthewind,carriedtoherfreedombytheroilingsea.
Noneofusknowwhathappenedtothegirls,andnoneofthemspokeaboutit.Allweknowistheyenduredunspeakable horrorsatthehandsofamonster,ormaybeten Ican’tevengiveherthebodyoftheassholewhoseemstohavedisappeared fromthefaceoftheearth.
Notevenour petFBIagenthas beenable to trace him HarveyWellingtonfailed us for the firsttime, and Rafe was nonetoopleased,cuttingthemanoutofhalfourworktothepointIsuspectedhewouldremoveourtiesaltogether,buttheman istoovaluableinkeepingusoutofirons.
And so, IsitwithThalia perched onthe queenbed Igave her, strokingthe brushthroughher hair and removingall knots,oneatatime.Andbecausesheissobeautiful,soserenebutsostrong,Ikeepbrushinglongaftereachtangleisresolved. Shedoesn’targuewithme,nordoeitherofusspeak
Itried,inthosefirstweeks,talkingtoherinthehopeofananswer.Notasinglewordpassedherlipsafterthedayshe gavemehername,butI’veearnedhertrustsince WhitewasadamantsheneededtospeakbutIsawhercommunicateinother ways.I’vealsolearnednottopushher.Patienceiskeybetweenusforourtentativetrucetoremain.
WhenI’mfinishedbrushingandhavenomorereasontoremainwithher for theevening,Isetthebrushgentlyinher hands andtouchtheinside ofher wrist Mynightlysilentpleais thatshe doesn’ttake the sameroute as her friend She said goodbyetoherinherownway,acrosstheoceantheytraveledtogether.
Asingle tear drips onto myfinger, tricklinginto the minute gap betweenus I raise myhead, startled, but keep my movements slow soas nottoscare her.WhenIfindher gaze inthose liquid-browneyes shotwithshadows andtorture,she givesmeasinglenod Andfuckmeifsheisn’ttheonlyonewellingup Myarmsachetowrapherup,drawherintomychest, andpromisehereverythingsheeverneeds.
Butwhatshedesiresisspace,sodespitethetiesthatconstrictmyheartinmychest,Inodbackandriseslowly,letting mythighstakethestrainandrelishthesmallpainIsacrificeatheraltar
Myfingers flickup withoutmypermission, grazingher cheekinthe briefest, featherlighttouch. Her eyes widen, her lipspart,butIbackoffbeforeIcanfrightenherfurther,havingindulgedmyownneedstoomuchalready
ThedoorclosesbehindmebeforeImanagetosuckinanimpossiblebreath,myhearthammeringinmychest.
“Still no words?” Luca, the house’s chef, stands beside me witha traylike a fuckingghostlyapparitionhauntingthe hallsofRafe’sRhodeIslandhome.
“None.”Istraightenmyjacket.“She’scommunicatingalittlenowinotherways.Watchforthem.”Iswallowbackthe emerald-eyedbeastroaringinmychestashenodsandpushesherdooropen,singingsoftly
Weall doteonthegirl whohealsinvisiblecracksbetweenus,drawingthehouseholdcloser intoafamilyunitaswe worktorepayafavorwithnopricetag
Stridingalongthehall IturnattheendandheadstraighttoRafe’s office,enteringwithoutknocking.Hedoesn’tlook awayfromthemanseatedontheothersideofhisdesk,hishardeyesfixedinawaythathaltsmysteps.Istopbehindtheman, myhandsclaspedinfrontofme,andawaitmyboss’sword.
“Yourbehaviorisunacceptable. This isunacceptable.”Rafespeakssoftly,hisfuryapalpablethingashelookspastthe manandnods
Ireachbehindmeas themanjabbers somethinginhis nativeItalianIbarelyunderstand,cockingmygun,andIputa bulletintohisbrain,anglingtheshotdownward Theman Idon’tknowhisname slumpsforwardontoRafe’sdesk
“Nexttime,takehimoutside.”
Inod,wrappingmyfistaroundthebackofhisjacketandhaulthelumpofamanoverhisseat.“I’llhavesomeoneclean upthemess,”Isay,unemotionally “Whathappenedtoearnhisfate?”
NotthatIcare,butsometimesit’snicetokeepagrowingcatalogueofthesinsIcommit.
“Twoofthegirlsaredead”Rafe’sdarkeyesboreintomine Iletthemanslidebackintohischair,greymatterploppingontotheleatherandoozingitslength.
“OneofthegirlsThaliawasrescuedwith?”Ican’tkeepthesharpnessoutofmytone Rafedoesn’tseemtocare.“Bothhadtheirthroatssliced.Withwiregarrottes.”Herunsahandoverhishead,spearing hisfingersthroughhishair.
“Whyaretheydeadnow?”Iaskhimsoftly
Mybestfriendspreadshishandsoverhisdesk,grippingitlikehemightfallofftheedgeoftheworld,orthrowitinto theblackabyssofhisgrowingragethatmatchesmyown
“Clearly,theyknowsomethingnoonewantstold.”Helickshislips.“Dom…shehastotalk.Weneedtoknow.” Inodsilently,mygutroilingasIdragthebodyfromRafe’sofficeanddirectahandful ofplebstoclean-upduty My disquiethasnothingtodowiththemanbleedingbrainsatmyback,andeverythingtodowithforcingthegirlwithholloweyes tospeaktome.
BecauseIdon’twanttobreakherfurther SomethingtellsmeifIdon’tgethertospeak,Rafewill Hewon’tbehalfas sweetinhistortureasIam.
AlowgrowlfillsmychestcavityasIdumpthebodyatthebackoftheloadingdockandheadtomybathroomtoclean up.
I’ll talkto her inthe morning. It’s anemptypromise Imake to myself, delayingthe inevitable job as longas Rafe’s patiencewilllast.
Becauseafterthis,she’llhatemeforever.
Sunlight lances across the white sheets that cover Thalia’s body just enough to outline the perfection of her shape Betweenus,LucaandIhavebroughtouthersweetcurveswithalotofTLC.
Now,Ijeopardizeeverythingwe’veworkedfor.
“Wakeup,honey,”Imurmur,trailingthebacksofmyknucklesoverhercheek.“Idon’twanttodothis,butwehaveto talk.”Ikeepstrokinghergentlyassheturnsintomytouch,archinghercheekintomypalmwhenIturnmyhandtocupherface. Herlipsnuzzlesweetlyagainstmyskin,andmybodyacheswiththeneedtostripdownandholdhertomychest
ButwhatIwantisimpossible.
“Wakeup,Thalia,”Iwhisper,myvoicelowerthanIwant,reflectingthehungerwithinme
Her eyes flyopenatthesound,andshebacks herselfsofar across thebedIworryshe’ll fall offtheother side.Her mouthopensinasilentscream,herhandsclawinginmydirection.
Iholdupbothofmine,palms facingforwardinsupplication “I’mnota danger toyou,Thalia Inever was nor ever will be.Ipromiseyou.Butsomething’shappened,andweneedtotalk.”Isuckinalongbreath,unusedtospeakingsomany longsentencestoherafterourmonthsofsilence
Her gazedarts aroundtheroom,takinginthebrightwindow Ileftopenfor her,hopingthefreshair wouldhelp.She seesthedoorisshutandlocked
Thisisn’taconversationIwantLucaorRafeoranyotherdirtyfuckerwithmurderontheirmindstointerrupt.Wewill dothisatmyspeed,andhers,evenifittakesmeallday.
EvenifIhavetobreakher
Becausefourmorewomen’slives andThalia’s mightrelyonwhatsheisn’ttellingus.
Thatshe’sabletospeakhasnever beenindoubt,atleastfor me Thisgirl choosestoholdher silence,andIneedto breakthroughwhateverdeep-seatedfearkeepsherthatway.
“Comehere,”Isaysoftly,disguisingthecommandasbestIcan
Shelooksatmeuncertainlythroughherlashes,hidingfrommelikeshedidthatfirstnight.Shegripsthatsheettoher likeashield,herbreathsshallowandtoofast.
“Thalia,”Imurmurandsigh Ican’tsugarcoatthisanylonger “Thegirlswesavedaredying Thegirlslikeyou”My voicecracksonthatlastword,andit’swhatgetsherattention.
Her brow dips, forminglines across her forehead She presses her hand to her chest, her fingers uncurlingfromthe sheet.
Inod.“Yes.You’reindangertoo.Soaretheremainingfour.”
Threefingerspresstoherclavicle,andhereyesfillwithtears.
“Theywon’tbethelastifwecan’tunderstandwhythegirlsaredying.Ifyourfriend…”Iinhalefastashertearsstartto
fall,andvoicethesuspicionsI’veheldsincethatnight.“Ifshewasmurdered…madetolooklikeasuicide.”
Thalia watches me as her face clears.Some strengthinside her rises, andher eyes blaze witha coldfuryI’ve never seeninherbefore,butfuckmeifIdon’tloveseeingherrousedlikethis
“That’sit,honey.Livefor me.For yourself,”Imurmur,andholdoutmyhand,curlingmyfingers.“Thiswill bealot easierifyouaren’thidingoverthere”
Idon’tmakeanymorepromises.Ifshedoesn’ttrustmebynow,thenI’llneverearnwhatIcrave.
Hergazeflicksbetweenmyfaceandmyhandbeforeshemakesherdecision Shecreepstowardme,thesheetdropping betweenustotangleaboutherlegs.Thaliadoesn’tstopmovinguntilherkneesbrushmineinthebaresttouch.Thenshepauses andlooksatme.
“Thankyou,”Iwhisper,myvoiceshatteringatthemagnitudeofwhatshe’sjustdone
Thaliararelyrespondstoanythingwithmorethantheslightestgesturecaughtonlybyattentiveeyes.Forhertomeetme morethanhalfwayisamammotheffort Iwanttocrushheragainstme,butIknowthatwillsendherskittering Awaremytimeislimited,havingstalledallnight,andwearingRafe’sirethismorning,Ileanforwardintoherspace, notingshedoesn’tshiftbackward,thoughherlashesflutterinhersingularsignofalarm
“Tellmewhatyou’rescaredof.Whyarethegirlsdying,Thalia?” Herlipsmovebutnosoundcomesout.
Mother
“Mother?”Irepeat,unsureIheard read herright. Asharp breathsucks into her lungs, and she stares downat her fingers, inchingtheir wayto where mine sit onmy knees.
I watch, mesmerized, as she oh-so-slowlylifts her fine-boned hand and places it ontop of mine. Mybodyfreezes, unable to move lest I scare her away. Her fragile touch gives the faintest, almost ticklish presence over my skin, but it’s contact. Insidemychestmyheartswells,blockingmythroatasherlipsmoveoncemore.
“Saythatagain,honey?”Icroak,flickingmyfingersupinareflexactiontocurlaroundthesidesofhers Notgrabbing orholdingherlestshethinkIwanttoimprisonher,butreturningthegentlepressureuntilIwanttoburst.
“Mothers,”shewhispers Hervoiceisaruinedsound,liketheheartsoftarnishedangelssingingtheirfinalnote “They ”Shecoughs,tuckingherheaddown,hervolumealreadyfadingfromlackofuse.“Selthm.”
“Thalia?”Icurlmyotherhandbeneathherchin,riskingitall,needingtoseeherface.
Whensheraisesherhead,hereyesarefullofunshedanguishandpainIknowwillhauntmeforever,hervoiceaburst ofenergyfullofhateandhorrors.
“Theysoldourbabies”
Whoknewthatspeakingcouldhurt?Notme,that’sforsure.ForeverywordthatscrapesfrommyrawthroatIwantto stoponcemore ButDomhasthefloodgatesopenandIknowIneedtotellhimthewholestory “Water?” I ask. He quicklyhands me a sealed bottle fromthe small fridge he had put inmyroomthe weekafter I arrived
Idon’tknowhowheknewbutifthebottlesaren’tsealed,Iwon’tdrinkfromthem.It’showIendeduphereinthefirst place.
“Weneedyourboss,”Isay.AthisconfusionIcontinue.“I’monlytellingthisstoryonceinmylife.”
HenodsbutIcanseeheisn’thappytohavesomeoneelseaspartofthisconversation.I’mnotcomfortablewithanyone else,hell,somedaysI’mnotevencomfortablewithDominic,butIamnotgoingthroughthistwice
Hetakesmyhandandleadsmeoutoftheroom.It’sthefirsttimesinceIcameherethatI’veleftwhathasbecomemy safespace Aswewalkdownthehall,Itakeineverythingaroundme Dom’sbossclearlyhasalotofmoneyifthispartofthe houseisanythingtogoby.Thegildedframesofwhatlooklikerealoilpaintingandtheplushcarpetbeneathmyfeetspeakof opulenceandwealth.
Wedescendasetofstairsinsilence.Atthebottom,alargemaninadarksuitstaresatus,curiosityclear acrosshis features.Idon’tevenrealizeI’vemovedbutinthenextmomentallIseeisthebackofDom’ssuit,myhandgrippinghistightly.
“Backthe fuckup,” he orders the manand a moment later I hear footsteps across the tiles “It’s okay, Thalia He’s gone.”
IttakesmeamomenttogetmyracingheartbackundercontrolandreleasethekungfugripIhaveonhishandbeforeI stepuptohissideoncemore.Domsmilessoftlyatmeandsomethingakintoprideshinesinhisgaze.Hedoesn’tsayawordas heleadsmetoacloseddoor.Heknocksandwewaituntilsomeonecallsfrominside.
Iseehisboss,Rafe,seatedbehindamonstrosityofadesk,hisfeaturesamaskofirritation.Whenhisgazelandsonme, helooksshockedbeforefrowning.
“Dom Thalia”Hegesturestotheseatinfrontofhisdesk “TowhatdoIowethisvisit?”
“Thaliawantstotellherstory,”Domgrumbles.
Rafestaresatme “Ifthat’swhatyouwant,Iwouldappreciateit Weneedtoknowwhatwearedealingwith” Silencedescendsonallofus.Themenarewaitingforme,tryingtobepatient,althoughIamnotsureitisentirelyin theirnature.I’mtryingtoworkthroughallmymemoriesandfindtherightplacetostart.
“I was twenty-two and working my way through nursing school I met a nice guy that worked at the coffee shop I frequented and we started dating.” Is that my voice? Why do I sound like a robot? “We dated for a couple ofweeks and I reallylikedhim Hetookmeonahikeforonedate ThelastthingIrememberwasdrinkingfromabottleofwaterbeforeIgot dizzyandeverythingwentdark.”
Thenextpartiswhereitgetshard Sittingupright,Isquaremyshouldersbeforecontinuing
“ThenextthingIrememberisbeingtiedtoabednaked,threemenwithmaskshoveringoverme.Ipulledattheropes,I screamedforhelp.Butnooneevercame.Weweresixgirlsinthefirstplacebutweweremovedafterawhile.Atthesecond placethereweretenofus ThelastplaceiswhereIwasheldthelongest Justaboutayearandahalf Therewerelotsofgirls Everydaynewones,butveryfewofthegirlsIstartedoutwithwerethereforlong.”
“Doyouknowanythingaboutanyofthelocationsyouwereheldat?”Rafeinterrupts,butIshakemyhead
“Eachtimebeforetheymovedus,weweredrugged.Ididn’tevenknowwhattheoutsideofthebuildingslookedlike. All Iknow is we wentfroma warehouse,toa farmhouse,tosomethinglike this”Igesture atthe house weare currentlyin “Lotsofmoneyandopulence.”
Rafe nods. “So, someone withmoneywas the lastlocation. Thatmakes sense, youcan’tpull offsomethinglike this withoutasubstantialamountofmoney Andinfluence”
“Iwouldimaginetherearen’tmanypeoplewiththatkindofclout?”Domasks. Rafenods,alreadydeepinthought Iwatchashegripshiscellphone,sendingamessagebeforefocusinghisattention backonme.Rafesignalsformetocontinue.
Nowforthehardpart.
“Ididn’tunderstandwhatwashappeninginthebeginning.Thereweresomanypregnantgirls.Theywouldgooffatone pointandreappearacoupleofdayslaterwithoutthebaby.TheonetimeIwasinthatsituation,Ifoundoutthetruth.”
Myentire bodyis shakingas the firsttear escapes downmycheek Ihate crying, beingweak, butthis is the hardest thingtoremember.
“TheytookmydaughterandImadeascene,screaming,yelling,eventryingtoattackmycaptors Eventuallyafterbeing
punished,Ifoundoutthetruth.Weweretraffickednotonlyforthesexualneedsanddeviantobsessionsofthemen,butforour reproduction capabilities. These sick fuckers were raping us, using and abusing us daily, in the hope that we would get pregnantsotheycouldsellourbabies”
“Jesus,”Dommutters.
Rage unlike anythingI’ve ever seenis painted across Rafe’s face Amomentlater his cell phone shatters againstthe wallwherehethrewit.Instinctively,Icurlinonmyself.
“Shit,”Rafecursesbeforeleavinghischairtomovearoundhisdesk Onhiskneesinfrontofmychair,hegentlytakes myhandinhis.“I’msorryforthat.Ididn’tmeantoscareyou.”
“Iknow,”Isay,myvoiceonceagainweak.“IhatethatIreactthatwaytothesmallestthingsnow.”
“You’re safe here, Thalia Iswear onmylife, no one will ever touchyouwithoutyour permissionagain Notinmy house.”
Istareathim,tryingtogaugethetruthbehindhiswords Iwantsobadlytobelievethatmynightmarereallyisover,that Icanbesafeandstarttorebuildmylife,butfearkeepsholdingmeback.
Rafesqueezesmyhandsbeforereturningtohisseat
“Yousaid youwere studyingto be a nurse before all this shit happened.” Inod. “Well, Iwould like to offer youa positioninmyhomeandfamily.Asahealer.”
“What?”
“Helpmeandmymenwheneverwehaveinjuries,”hesays,foldinghisarmsacrosshischest.
“Idon’thavethetraining,”Ireply
“Trainingwecangetyou.Besides,Ihaveadoctor.Ijustneedsomeoneonhandforthelittlethings.”Rafeisserious. Themanmustbenuts.
“Idon’tknow…”Istartbuthecutsmeoff.
“Inreturn,youwillhaveaplacetostay,whereyoucanbesafe.You’llneverwantforasinglethingandIwillhelpyou getyourvengeanceontheanimalsthatdidthistoyou”
MygazeturnstoDom,hopinghecangivemesomeclarityonhisboss’sinsanity.
“Wecouldhelpyoufindyourdaughter”
IstandinbloodtomyelbowsthatcreepsupmyarmsnomatterhowfarIrollmysleeves.RafeandIpromisedThalia vengeance,andshe’llhaveit ifperhapsnotintheformmylittlenurse-to-beexpects
IttookRafeandIasolidmonthtosearchouttheassholeswhorapedmygirl.WhenhadIstartedthinkingofher that way?ProbablythedayItookher fromthathellhole,andshewrappedherselfaroundmeonmybike Sheseemedtolikethe ride,andIpromisedmyselfI’dtakeheroutagainwhenthiswasall over justher andme,thewindandfreedombrushing ourskin,meldingustogether.
MybodyachesforthedayIcankissher,showhersheisn’taloneinthisworld,despitethatshe’sstrongenoughtotake iton,allonherlonesomeandshatterit.
I’mnotcertainshe understands the power she holds inher hands,over me,over the household I’mnotthe onlyman whoadoresherbutiswaryofcrossingherboundariestooearly.
Andso,weplayawaitinggame,withherasourprize
Nor had I been able to fulfil the promise Rafe made to her that night about her daughter. Not only had Singleton disappearedfromtheworld,Ifoundzeroevidenceofmanifests,ashipthatwentoutthatnight,oralocal flight.Nothing.As thoughthebabiestornawaysimplydissipatedintonothingness.
So,IfilledtheroomIstoodinwiththetorturedbreathsofdyingmenaspenanceformyfailure.
The thought of the slimy fuckers writhing beneath my boots taking children fromtheir mothers rekindles my fury I plungetheserratedhuntingknifeintothebodydirectlybeneathme,overandover,untilitstopsmoving.
“Still haven’t found Singleton He’s not here” Rafe pauses in the doorway to the warehouse’s office we razed not fifteenminutesbeforeandsurveysthedamage.“Havingfun?”
“Loads.” His comment makes it through my bloodlust. “The fuck do you mean, Singleton’s not here? That was the wholefuckingpoint!”Iroar,throwingtheknifethatisnevermeanttobeusedapartfromslicing-and-dicinginafirmgrip.
Wehadaleadearlier intheday.TommyfoundaCCTVstreamwithhisgraphicsprogramthatmatchedour manwith facialrecognitionsoftware Atentativeleadthatbroughtustotheedgeofthedocksagain,toadifferentwarehousewithlittle rooms made up like princess palaces. Eachdoor was chained shut, and whenwe broke in, we discovered eachroomwas wipedcleanofDNAandprints
Ourleaddied,andnow,sowillhismen.
MysavinggraceisthatI’llbeabletogiveherthelivesofthosewhorippedherinnocenceawayasareplacementgift.
The blade Ithrew swishes sideways throughthe air and slices the bastard’s face openina ragged cutfromcheekto jaw.Thepitifulsoundshemakesdon’tdoitforme.
“Ihaven’tseenhim Noonehas Areyoureadytogo?”Rafecrosseshisarms,aheavysighleavinghischest
Air snorts frommynostrils. Icross the room,rip myknife fromthe wounded man’s flesh, and shove his owntongue downhisthroat “Chokeonthat,youinfant-stealingrapistcunt”
“Okay,playtime’sup.”Raferapshisknucklesagainsttheplasterwall,leavingmarks.
“No.Ican’tgobackandtellhershe’snotsafe,”Irasp.
ColdfuryfillsmetooverflowingasIfindanother manstill suckinginhislasteternal breathandcrushhiswindpipe under my boot. The need to do something rips rage through me like a tactile weapon I can wield against these fuckers. Anything,togiveherpeace
MutteringobscenitiesinGreek,Rafecrossesthefloor,cuppinghishandsaroundmyjaw.Hisforeheadpressestomine. “Youhavehadmybackforoveradecade Thesejobsdon’talwaysconcludeinonehit Youknowthat,Dom” “Iknow,”Igrumble,unwillingtoadmitmyfailure.
Rafehuffsasoftlaughnoonecouldmistakefor humor.“So,wedon’twinthisone.Tell your girl whatshemeansto you,andyouhelpherforget Wedon’tstophunting,andwekeepourearsopen Wewillfindhim,andwewillerasehisputrid existencefromthisworld.Butnottoday,myadelphos.Nottoday.”
My brother
Iclosemyeyesanddropmyknife.Exhaustionwashesoverme.“Itfeelslikegivingup.”
Rafereleasesme,guidingmeouttheofficedoorandleavingthegroansofdyingmentotheirownhell.“Weplayalong game,Dom.Hewon’tseeuscoming.”
The corner of my mouth curls up. He’s right. It doesn’t matter if it’s today, or tomorrow, or next year. I will rip Singleton’sspinefromhisbodyandlayitatThalia’sfeet
Rightnow,I’llbegherforgivenessfornotpresentingherwiththetrophyIwanttoofferherandprayshe’llunderstand.
Istrideintothehouse,headingforThalia’sroom,butIdon’tmakeitthatfar Shewaitsformeinthekitchen,playing withsomeofLuca’skniveswheresheperchesonthebenchwhilehedetailshowtotakeamanapartinsevenslicesorless.
Pausingintheshadows,Iletthecheftalk Hissmoothvoicedipslowandsoothingashedescribesinintimatedetaila processfewunderstand,andevenlesswhocanlistensoraptlytohisdark,seductivetale.
“Thisone?”Thaliapicksupaslimblademadeforfilleting “Slideitbeneaththeskin,likethis.”Lucademonstrates,passingthedeadlyedgebeneathimaginaryflesh.“Itfallsright off.”
“He’sright”Istepintothelight,myarmscrossedovermychest “Hello,Thalia” HereyesflareassoonasIspeak.“Dom.”Hermouthfallsopenasshetakesinmyappearance.“Areyouhurt?” Ishakemyhead,lettinghercometotheconclusionthatnoneofthebloodismine “ShouldIhaveshoweredfirst?”MygazeflickstoLuca.
Hiseyesnarrow,andheletsoutasofthuff
“No,”Thaliawhispers,slidingoffthebench.Herbarefeethitthefloorasshepattersovertome,standinginthescarlet puddlewhereblooddripsfrommyhandsstill.“Isit Whathappened?”
“We didn’t find him,” I saygently, myheart shreddingitself whenher eyes fall shut Brushingher chinup withmy bloodiedknuckle,Iwaituntilshelooksatmeagain.“ButIpersonallyendedeverymanonmylistwhotouchedyou.Theywill not hurtyou,everagain”
“Thankyou,”shemouths.Shestepsintomeandwrapsherarmsaroundmywaist,despitethatI’mcoveredinthesinsof morethanadozenmen,drippingwiththeirfinal,agonizedbreaths.Andsheholdsmethroughitall.
Myarmsfoldaroundhertinyframe,thoughshe’snotasfragileaswhenIfirstbroughtherhere.Scratchthat.Thaliawas never fragile.Scarred,broken,damaged,perhaps.
Strong
She’s all of those things, and as I rest mycheekonthe top of her head, the ground shifts beneathme, and myheart squeezestightforher
“I’ll find him. Ipromise. I’ll find outwhathappened to your girl, honey.” Icup her face, smudgingher skinwiththe soulsofhertormentors,andpressmymouthtohers.
Shefreezes,andforahorrificmoment,Idotoo.
Thenherlipspartonasighandshewelcomesmykisses,lettingmetasteher,sootheher,givemyownsoulupforherto keep
AndIfalldeeperforherthanbefore.
Whenshebreaksthetendertouch,hergazeisfilledwiththefirethatblazeswithinherbrighterthanever
“Keepyourpromisesandyourkisses,Dom.Keepthemforthedayyoucanfulfilboth.”Shestaresupatme,herfierce soulreachingouttoclaimmine.
“The dayI do, I’ll fall at your feet and offer mypenance,” I murmur “I’ll worship youand keep yousafe, Thalia Always.Butoneday…thatday,you’llbemine.”
Theairbetweenusstills,untilshenodsandraisesonhertiptoestograzehermouthacrossmine,sealingthepromiseI maketoher.
Thalialetsmeleadher outofthekitchen,leavingLucaalone Hishardeyesraisetoholdmine,hissardonicsmilea twistoflipsandteeth.
“Showoff.”
TheEnd
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JadeMarshallwasborninSouthAfricawhereshestillresideswithherhusband,daughter,andfourdogs. Althoughherfirstlovehasalwaysbeenwriting,sheisacertifiedCCTVtechnician,travelingthecountryandgettingto knownewpeopleeveryday.
Since2020,shehashadfifteennovelspublishedaswellasstoriesfeaturedinseveralanthologies.
Jade is best known as the author of the Katu Wolves series, The Gypsy Bastards MC series, and the Cammareri Family,andsheiscurrentlyworkingonseveralprojectssimultaneously.
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USA Today best-sellingauthorSofiaAveswritesfast-pacedpoliceromances,sizzlingmilitaryunits,steamycowboys with a Montana backdrop, and the occasional cheeky god. Married to a veteran, she often tackles topics of PTSD and reintegrationandhasasoftspotforallwhoworkinuniform.Sofiawriteskid-litforcharityandhasoveronehundredandfifty publicationsacrossfivenot-so-super-secretpennames.
Sofia is a mumofthree crazies ina returned veteranhousehold and has anoverlylarge fur babywho thinks she’s a teacuppuppy Aftereighteenyearsofplanninganddreaming,Sofiaandherhusbandwillputthefinishingtouchesontheirvery ownalpacaparkthisyear.SofialivesnearBrisbane,Australia.
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