Page 98 of Carnival
“Death isn’t the worst thing she could do to you.’’
That piques my attention. Maverick speeds up again, going too fast. Although we’ve reached the highway, and I have no idea where he’s taking me, he’s driving way too fast. I’m hoping there’s police somewhere near to pull him over, but knowing my luck, that’s just wishful thinking.
“What does she plan to do with me, then? Aside from using me as a breeding mare,’’ I say, my voice a little dryer than intended.
My words provoke a deep laughter from Maverick, but it’s not sincere. It’s mockery at its finest, the kind that makes my blood boil. But I’m powerless here. He has a gun attached to his hip, and even if he didn’t have one, I’m locked inside the car. I could try to cause a crash, but that could be fatal.
“If you truly believe that Vivian only wants you as a breeding mare, then you’re dumber than I thought.’’
“What does she want me for, then?”
“You’re worth a lot of money, Rosalie.’’
I blink, taken aback. “Pardon?”
Maverick hums. “You’re known as the girl with power, Rosalie.’’
“What power?”
“The chip that was in your arm,’’ he glances at me through the rearview mirror. “You saw what’s on it, didn’t you?”
“Yes,’’ I admit, knowing there’s no point in lying.
“You may not have the chip itself, but you have the information that’s in there. Vivian’s goal was to use you for a few grandkids, then sell you to the highest bidder.’’
“That doesn’t mean I’d willingly give up the information.’’
“You underestimate the kind of men that would buy you, girl. Those men would break you apart, limb by limb, then put you back together, until all you can do is give them what they want, because only then would they grant you a merciful death.’’
Chills spread through my body at the thought of being tortured for information, the smallest hairs on my neck standing up straight, followed by a wave of goosebumps all over my arms and thighs.
“She’s too obsessed with me to actually sell me,’’ I try to sound convincing, but even I don’t believe the words.
“She sees you as one of her dolls, Rosalie,’’ he says, and my eyes dip down to one of the pretty gowns on me, one of many that I’ve worn since she took me. “But she always gets bored of her dolls eventually. The moment you’re no longer of use to her, she’ll discard you, because you’re not that special. You may be blood related, but she doesn’t truly care about you. She isn’t capable of that.’’
Bile rises in my throat, and mixed with the way Maverick’s driving, I start feeling ill, as if I’m about to throw up. I’m notnaive; I know that the De Santis family is one of the rare ones. They’re no saints, but they love me.
I’ve witnessed firsthand what kind of people they deal with on a day-to-day basis, and the thought of being tortured for some information sticks with me. There are too many sick bastards in the world that would pay a fortune just to forcefully pull the information out of my mouth, regardless of how inhumane it may seem.
I don’t even want to begin to think of the sick, twisted ways they’d try to pry it out. From torture to assault, I’m positive it wouldn’t be something I’d be able to survive. I’m not like Blair. The girl’s gone through hell and back, and came out ten times stronger. Aria, too. But me? I’d crumble easily, and I’d be the easiest target.
I’m too weak for my own good.
My eyes snap shut, tears streaming down my cheeks. I try to keep it all in, biting the inside of my cheek until I can taste my flesh, my mind drifting back to James. He’s the strong one; he’s a fighter. He’ll survive this.
I’m not too sure about myself.
“Where are you taking me?”
“I have no idea,’’ he mumbles.
As if on cue, his phone rings. My eyes open, and I follow the movement of his hand as he pulls the device out of his pocket, the shine of the gun hitting my eye. He presses the phone to his ear, answering the call curtly.
“Yes?”
A beat of silence passes in the car, his eyes focused on the road ahead. From the rearview mirror, I see his brows scrunchin confusion, his lips pulling into a thin line. He hums, nods, and then sighs.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” He asks. “I’ll do whatever you want me to do, Vivian, but this won’t end pretty.’’
