Page 93 of Kyle

“You’re just as bad as he is,” Emerson blurted out. “You sold those girls out to save your own ass. No, you’re worse because you’re a woman and you knew what was going to happen to them.”

“Fuck you. Fuck you both. You have no idea. Both of you think because you got a small taste of what it’s like you know what it feels like to have to swallow shit every day. You don’t. But you will. He’s gonna find you and when he does, he’ll mark you and rent you out, too. So talk to me after you suck a few hundred dicks in an alley. Then and only then can you tell me that luxury resorts and private jets don’t make it bearable. After you’re torn apart because you’re fightin’ the inevitable, you come talk to me and tell me you wouldn’t do what I’ve done if it means you never feel that pain again. Until then, shut the fuck up and leave me alone.”

“Speaking of marks,” I started, proud of myself that my voice was strong and steady when I was really freaking the fuck out inside. I really didn’t ever want to know what it was like to suck a few hundred dicks—ever—but most certainly not to be forced to. “Your QR code, is that the only one you have?”

Monica smiled a broad scary smile and shook her head. “I’m his favorite. I have a special one.”

“Mind if we see it?” I asked.

“Thought you’d never ask.” Monica stood and her entire demeanor changed, and chills raced up my spine.

Emerson and I quickly got to our feet as Monica pulled her shirt over her head and turned her back to us.

A beautiful peacock feather was inked from her tailbone to her shoulder. I didn’t get the chance to fully admire the work that had gone into the artwork when Jeremy’s loud curse filled the space and Monica turned to face us.

Emerson looked like she was in a trance and Monica took full advantage. The woman rushed Emerson. She lowered her shoulder to hit Emerson in the stomach and they both hit the floor with a sickening thud.

What the hell?

Without thinking, I got behind Monica and tried to yank her off Emerson but she wouldn’t budge, her hands were around her throat, her grip so tight Emmy was turning red. I slid my arm around Monica’s neck, pulled her into a headlock, and squeezed as hard as I could. There was no time to think about what I was doing. I just needed to get Monica off Emerson.

Jeremy was shouting from beside me as I attempted to suffocate Monica while she was trying to kill Emerson. Finally, Emmy pried Monica’s hands free and she started coughing. But I couldn’t let go of Monica. The whole thing seemed to go on forever.

I could see Emmy’s lips moving but nothing was penetrating through the buzzing in my ears and fear flowing in my veins.

Jeremy’s hands went under my pits and he hauled me off Emerson. But I still hadn’t released Monica. I felt something pop, the feeling so disturbing I snapped out of my daze and released Monica. Her limp body crumpled to the floor.

“It’s done, Anaya,” Jeremy spoke softly in my ear. “Everything’s fine.”

What was done?

“She’s gone. Emerson’s safe,” he continued.

Gone?

I glanced down at Monica’s prone body, her wide, open eyes blank. Lifeless.

“Oh my god,” I whispered.

Emerson scrambled to her feet, then Jeremy was shoving me in her arms.

“What did I do?”

“You saved my life,” Emmy whispered back. “That’s what you did.”

Emerson turned and started to shuffle us away from Monica’s dead body but I stopped her. I needed one more look at the woman I’d killed. A woman who’d suffered for ten long years. A woman who should’ve had a better life.

Guilt washed over me.

“Get this now,” Jeremy barked. “You did what was necessary to save your friend’s life. And if you hadn’t have done it, I would’ve. The moment she touched Emerson she was as good as dead.”

“Thank you,” Emmy said and hugged me tight. “Thank you so much. I couldn’t breathe, Anaya. She was going to kill me.”

Shame and guilt were all I could feel.

How would I ever be able to face Kyle again?

Chapter 28