Page 63 of Ryder

“Better get used to it,” Sapphire hollers. “Because none of us are getting out of here.”

“Speak for yourself,” Gia throws back. “I’m definitely getting out of here one way or the other. I’m not going to become some fuck face’s sex slave. I don’t care what I have to do. I’ll kick and scream and bite. The second I get the chance, I’m gonna run.”

Sapphire snorts. “Where are you gonna run to? Huh?”

“Why are you both bickering?” I whisper-shout. They’re making me even more anxious.

“This is the price we pay as women.” Sapphire’s words hit me in the chest. “For our freedom. You think you’re free, but at the end of the day you’re always at the mercy of some fucking sleazebag.”

She’s acting as if this is no big deal. Like it’s inevitable, and that makes my body tense up.

“First intelligent thing you’ve said in a while,” Gia throws back.

“Say that to my face,” Sapphire snaps.

“I can’t be here,” I whisper. “I can’t… This can’t be happening.”

“Let me guess,” Sapphire calls. “You got involved with a bad guy, right?”

“He was my… my boyfriend.” My words are barely audible.

“I’m sorry,” Gia says. At least she sounds like she is. “That’s fucking shitty.”

Tell me about it. It fucking sucks.

“I should’ve known he was a bad guy. There were warning signs.” I don’t even know who I’m talking to; mainly myself. “I knew it, deep down. I just wanted to change him. I wanted to make him better.”

“Did he knock you around?” Sapphire’s voice sounds a little more gentle.

“Yes.” I swallow hard. I don’t even bother with the ‘I never thought he’d hit me’ line. Jimmy’s always had a temperamentalstreak with a side of violence, not that he was like that in the beginning, of course. It’s only gotten worse over time.

Then I think about Ryder. He would’ve gone to my apartment and found me missing.

He’ll come for me, won’t he? He’ll find a way.

The pain in my head throbs as my body protests when I try to move.

“Hang in there,” Sapphire says. “He’ll get what’s coming to him.”

“I take it nobody's coming to fix me?” My voice sounds hollow. I might not know much right now, but I know I need a doctor.

“Good luck,” Gia says. “They threw you in here, babe. They saw how fucked up you were.”

I try not to tremble, but I’m fight or flight, and it can’t be both.

I’m going to be fucking sold?

I don’t think so.

The thought is too horrible to dwell on.

Ryder.

If I’ve ever needed him, it’s right now.Please.I’ll do anything. I’ll do anything to be back in his arms, just one last time.

Ryder

“She’s not at the clubhouse?” I roar. “What in the fuck?”

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