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“She’s been hurt in other ways, Nova. I’m sorry. They are putting her through submissive training. And not the kind you’ll find at one of these fashion clubs where the sub gets safe words. This is hard-core abusive shit. Mainly verbal because they don’t want to mark the merchandise physically. They are withholding food and other amenities if she fights.”
“She is strong.”
“Not as strong as you.”
“I was always there to fight for her.”
“When you see her again, she won’t be the same person you remember.”
I’m utterly, painfully speechless.
Blades of regret and panic pierce my heart. The girl’s life has been kicked and stomped on since birth. First with shitty parents who went and died. If they weren’t bad enough then we were passed to an uncle who saw us both as fodder for his midnight cravings and now. When the hell were we due for our break in life?
I shut my brain down before it leaves me a puddle of tears and regret.
Death, blood…this whole new world is nothing but betrayal and a fight for power—anyone who doesn’t have it, wants it. And they’ll use anyone to get it. One vicious cycle after another.
A world I want nothing to do with. I was purchased on the black market as a sex slave, for God’s sake. I feel like my whole world has been flipped over and set on fire. And I can’t do anything about it. I’m in a void and I feel like if I were to scream, the nothingness surrounding me would swallow it whole.
Dragon’s phone buzzes with a message and seeing his face turn to stone in mere seconds has me on my feet.
“What is it?”
“I’m being called back. The brothers want to move the merchandise. Auction is canceled.”
Clamps restrict my breathing and I start to see stars behind my eyelids. I can’t catch my breath.
“What?” This can’t be happening. My sister will be sold off all because I couldn’t sit still and wait for Ares. I had to move. I shake my head trying to dislodge the disgust and roaring anger. Going to Jacob’s royally messed things up and now my sister will be shuffled into the underground trafficking rings. I’ll never see her again.
Because Ares won’t, I’m left with only one option. I know what I have to do. Only I don’t know how.
Fifteen
Nova
Ohmygodwhatishappeningscreams through my head.
“Nova. Talk to me.” Ares is out of the chair and standing beside me.
I don’t realize I’m in the middle of a full-fledged panic attack until my head is shoved between my legs and the dots swirling behind my eyelids steal my vision.
A hand holds the back of my head between my knees and another is passing me a shot glass of vodka. Something cold presses across the back of my neck.
I close my eyes and focus on trying to get much-needed oxygen into my lungs.
Inhale. Wait. Exhale.
Inhale. Wait. Exhale.
“Get me the bottle.” I hear Ares say.
Inhale.
His scent fills my senses. Lingering hints of the masculine scent of the soap he uses settles my nerves. How can a man I only just met do this to me? Have so much sway over my emotions? Nothing is clear as to why he cares for me. I have more questions than answers, that’s for damn sure.
Exhale. His warm, gentle touch at the base of my back never leaves me. I use it to ground myself.
“My hair. Pull it back.” I’m breathing heavily. Sweating. I can feel the raw clawing of the panic attack edging closer. “My hair. Please.” I swat at my hair and struggle to pull it off my face. Off my shoulders. It’s suffocating and I can’t see. Walls of the dark basement edge closer, cutting off my air.
