Page 23 of Queen of Madness

Sam scoffs. “Fine. Call your sister so you can feel better. Also, for common sense reasons, she’ll be the one you tell information to just in case your dumb ass gets caught on the phone. And if by next week you don’t have shit to tell me, her current living arrangements will get a lot less comfortable.”

The phone clicks as he ends the call and I have to fight the urge not to chuck the phone across the room. Because it may be the only way to contact my sister, I flop onto the old green couch and quell my anger while I dial Fi’s number.

She answers on the first ring. “Hey, you.”

My back jolts from the couch, a calmness I haven’t felt in years washing over me at the sound of her voice. “Fiona. Are you okay? Are they hurting you? How do you have your phone? I swear to God, Fi, when I come for you, I’m going to slice every one of those fuckers—”

“Zek. It’s okay.I’mokay. I promise.”

My sister has always been soft spoken, but the firmness in her words gives me an ounce of relief. “What? Be specific. Now.”

“I’m in some type of mansion, fifth floor, if I had to guess from all the stairs they had me climb. I’m locked in a guest room with a private bathroom and a guard standing at my door twenty-four seven. They’re rude as shit, and when they give me food, half of it spills from them slamming it across the table. Last night, one of the younger ones ate half of it and said he couldn’t wait till my brother fucked up so they could treat me how prisoners are meant to be treated.”

My anger returns, swelling in my sternum until the surrounding organs burn. “Have they touched you, Fi?”

I squeeze my eyes as I await his answer. “No, they haven’t touched me or anything. Besides their misogynistic arrogance, the only thing that sucks is the loneliness. I mean, they gave me Netflix, and even let me keep my phone.”

Confusion has my brows nearly melded together, but the relief she hasn’t been abused physically is damn near tangible. “Yeah, why the fuck did they let you keep your phone? How do they know you won’t call for help?”

She actually laughs at this. “Because I don’t want to die. I’m not an idiot, Zek. If I called for help, I’d be dead before the police even exited their cars. The Murphys also know I have a little social circle and don’t want people getting suspicious, calling attention to the fact that both you and I all of a sudden disappeared, so they let me chat with my friends. I couldn’t keep up with all the excuses on why I couldn’t hang out, so I told them I was on a Habitat for Humanity tour.”

What in the actual fuck?

She sighs. “Really, I’m good for now. I just think there’s a contingency on how I’m treated, but I do know they are really banking on you coming through.”

“Correct. Their hospitality won’t last.”

“I know. But for now, I’ll milk what little they give me while I can. Also, any information you get on the Embros family is supposed to be given to me.”

“Yeah, Sam said something about that.”

“I think it’s because if they find your phone or trace your calls or whatever, it won’t seem weird that you’re talking to your sister.”

I’m not sure if that’s true, or if Onyx would even think to watch my calls. As powerful as she is, I’m sure she doesn’t think anyone is stupid enough to cross her. Not if they wanted to keep their balls attached, at least.

“Are you okay?”

I run a hand through my hair and realize the heaviness in my chest has significantly decreased. “Better now.”

“Good, and don’t worry about me. It’s not like I can die from boredom and bad manners. Just get what you need and get us the hell out of here. I’ll be fine. You just better stay alive.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me. Part of me wonders if they’re doing more things that she isn’t telling me. But also, I need to believe they aren’t. I’d go insane and wouldn’t do anything but get the both of us killed.

As if she can feel my reservations slipping, my sister yawns, like this is just a normal conversation. “I adore you, big brother.”

“Ditto.”

When we hang up, I close my eyes, pressing my head back into the lumpy couch. Within seconds, sleep finds me.

That drop was quick. Neutral territory has to be quick. I know. But they seemed to want to disappear before my hand was even pulled away from the bag.

That was rude.

So unkind.

I don’t even think they said thank you. Nope, they didn’t. I don’t recall. Now, let me see. Next stop. Next stop. They wanted three. Why so much? They are a weekly drop. How could they possibly run through so much?

Shaking my head, I rid my thoughts. Onyx says it was fine. I trust her. She—

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