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SAGE
“How long have you and Niko been sneaking around?”
My grip tightened, and I glanced at him, making sure his eyes were still on the road. I managed to slip my phone from my pocket, and it was hidden between my thighs. Now I just needed to text Niko without Geo realizing what I was doing.
“Are you really going to stay quiet the entire drive?” he asked, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel when traffic slowed down again.
“Are you really going to kill me?” I shot back. “If so, then no. I really don’t feel like talking.”
He chuckled. “You always were feisty.”
Keeping my gaze on him, I turned the phone on. The second the screen lit up, I turned the brightness down as low as it would go. Texting while the phone was between my legs was hard enough, and having my wrists taped was going to make it even more difficult.
After we left the house, Geo had gotten on the main highway to go north. I wondered if we were heading to another house owned by the society. My eyes lowered back to the screen, and I clicked on Niko’s name. After Alex had found the phone and gave it back to me, Niko insisted on putting his number in there. I had argued about it, saying it made no sense because I was always with him. I guess it was a good thing he didn’t listen to me.
“Fuck,” Geo muttered when traffic slowed to a crawl again.
“Is there a reason you won’t turn your phone back on to check if there’s an accident?” I asked, my voice filled with sarcasm. “I saw you turn it off. Or are you hiding me from your precious cult?”
He slammed on the brakes when a car cut into our lane in front of us. I was grateful the distraction was keeping his eyes on the road instead of on me.
“They’ll know everything once you aren’t a problem anymore,” he grated out. “Unlike my twin, my loyalty still lies with them.”
I didn’t answer as I peeked back down at the screen, quickly typing out a message.
Spare car key in tampon box. Heading north on I-69.
Without even hesitating, I hit send. That key was my one escape route. But Niko proved he’d help me leave back at the house. I had no doubt he’d keep this secret for me. If I made it out of here alive.
“Where are we going?” I asked, looking up once the text was delivered.
“Oh, now you want to talk?”
“Has the society ever accidentally killed a woman who wasn’t a true redhead?” I asked the random question that popped into my head. It was better than him bringing the conversation back to Niko.
Even with the traffic, his head whipped to the side to glare at me. “I’m sure by now Niko has told you everything.”
“I wasn’t lying when I said he hadn’t told me about the society.” I stretched my legs, freezing when my feet hit something solid. “I only know what Alex told me the night Lacey died.”
“You answer one of my questions, and I’ll answer yours,” he replied. “But I hope you understand, Sage. You can’t sweet talk your way out of this like you did with my brothers. Your tears. Your words. Neither will help you.”
I swallowed the fear from his threat. The second he had hit me in the living room, I knew he had no issues with hurting me. After what he did to Niko, I was positive he’d do whatever was needed for me to disappear.
“Why are you sleeping with Niko instead of Alex?” he asked.
“What?”
“Alex did everything to protect you.” He sped up once traffic thinned out. “Niko was right at my side when I killed Lacey. He was a part of it. How can you be okay with Niko and not Alex?”
“I don’t know,” I answered, refusing to tell him everything. “Maybe because I’ve spent almost every waking second with Niko since I came back.”
I moved my bound feet to the side, feeling the edge of Niko’s toolbox. He always kept it under the passenger seat. Sliding it closer to me, I tried thinking of a way I could reach down without Geo noticing. There had to be something in there I could use to free myself.
“Did Niko tell you that you were the chosen sister?”
My eyes widened as I stared at the side of his face. “No.”
“Years ago, it had been decided that it would be you. Until Alex fell in love with you. He saved you.”
“By sacrificing my sister,” I hissed, anger clouding my judgment.
“It had to be one of you.”
“That was two questions. Now, you answer mine.” I changed the subject, not wanting to talk about Lacey. I needed to keep a clear head.
“We’re going to a vacation house I rented in Traverse City. Niko and the group know nothing about it, so don’t think he’s coming to rescue you.” His confidence in telling me the truth only added to my panic. “As for your other question—every woman we’ve chosen has been a redhead. We don’t make mistakes.”
“Women dye their hair all the time. What if you killed someone who didn’t have natural red hair?” As I spoke, I sent another text to Niko, telling him where Geo was taking me.
Geo scoffed. “Your lack of confidence about our reach is almost insulting. It isn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. Every ceremony takes months to plan. Sometimes even longer. We study the women and their heritage. Parents, grandparents, and extended family. We know everything about them before they’re taken.”
“I think you’re all fucking insane,” I stated, keeping my voice strong.
He chuckled. “Think whatever you want. It won’t change anything.”
Slumping back into the seat, I kept my feet beside the toolbox. I slid the phone back into my front pocket, hoping Niko got my messages. Just like I did up north, I wasn’t giving up. I’d survived too long to do that.
* * *
