Page 48 of The Claiming

CASSIE

I am so angry, I swear my blood is actually boiling.

I can’t even pace up and down because the bastard kept the handcuffs in place. I am trussed up like a bull at a rodeo and I hate Frankie Majerio more than anyone in my life so far.

If I’m honest though, when I saw the other guys, I was grateful, especially knowing who claimed Kennedy. Amos Sams is the creepiest guy on campus and I bet Frankie had a hand in his name even being on the challenge list. He probably set it all up to anger Kennedy, which reveals exactly how twisted his mind is.

A low whisper diverts my attention as Kennedy hisses from the cell next door, “Fuck this shit.”

I say nothing as she whines, “Amos fucking Sams. I’m in hell—shoot me now.”

“At least he’s not a psychopath.” Autumn sounds upset and I wonder what happened in the tunnel between her and River. Kennedy asks the question, so I don’t have to.

“Why are you complaining? At least River is hot.”

“He is but, well–” She breaks off and Kennedy’s voice lights with interest.

“What did he do?”

Autumn whispers, “He was rather forceful, Kennedy. I swear he was enjoying it a little too much and now I understand how the cave women must have felt when they were dragged into the cave.”

Despite myself, I chuckle softly and Kennedy snaps, “It’s okay for you, Cassie. You’ve scored big tonight. Frankie is a God at Rockwell and you will be the envy of every girl here.”

“It doesn’t feel like that.” I moan, hating every second of his victory.

Autumn adds, “It’s true, Cassie. You just signed your name at the top of the pecking order. You wait and see how life changes for you tomorrow. I would give anything to be you right now.”

“Me too.” Kennedy moans and sighs heavily. “Okay, this is the hand I’ve been dealt and I’ll play along, but if that creep even touches me, I’m reporting him for indecent assault to Principal Constable.”

She sounds so upset I actually feel sorry for her and Autumn says kindly, “It will be fine. We’ll figure it out.”

She sighs. “River is rather gorgeous, though, isn’t he? I mean, I did have my eye on him anyway, so I guess I should be happy.”

Kennedy hisses, “I would trade with you in a heartbeat, but what I’m most annoyed about is that Jack was part of the challenge. Fuck, if I had known, I would have tripped him up myself and chained myself to his ankles, so he had no choice.”

I resist laughing out loud because despite the circumstances, Kennedy James is really starting to grow on me.

* * *

It must bethirty minutes later when our centurions return and as the bolt slides back from the door, my heart quickens. Frankie enters the cell and regards me with interest and as I face him with a frown, he holds out his hand.

“Come, I’ll unlock you. This evening may be longer than we anticipated.”

As he removes the key from his pocket and sets about unlocking the handcuffs, I ask, “Did you find anything?”

“No and neither did Jesse.”

“Jesse?”

He leans in and whispers, “Jesse was waiting on the river bank and reported that Siri and Jack made it across the river. Siri tore a hole in her arm and is currently being patched up in the medical room with Jack in attendance.”

I stare at him anxiously. “Will she be okay?”

“I believe so, but I want to check on her as soon as I can.”

“We can go now.”

He shakes his head.

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