Page 38 of Rise of the King (Checkmate 5)

But they’re handing over girls, so… you make the choice you think is best.

In the dark, with the city lights behind me and my phone’s light in my eyes, I turn and study Sophia as she shifts in bed and plumps her pillow. Naked legs slide along silky sheets, and long hair hangs free now instead of that perfect little bun.

Do I want to leave her?

No.

But can I stay in this bed knowing a group of teenage girls will be sold, raped, and eventually killed?

Biting off a curse, I shake my head and turn away from her beautiful body.

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From: KingOnD8

Subject: I’ll be there.

I’ll report back when it’s done.

Pulling on my jeans and shrugging into my shirt, I glare at Soph’s phone as it continues to light up on her bedside table. She wasn’t lying yesterday; her work runs her ragged, and despite her declaration she was done for the day, she didn’t stop working the whole night. Whoever the fuck demands her attention as much as they do, whoever put those bags under her eyes needs to back the fuck up and let her rest.

If they don’t cool it, they’ll have to answer to me.

Stopping by her side of the bed, I drop a soft kiss on her cheek and whisper my goodbyes. I’m not heading out to sell a fucking fridge. I’m heading out to execute men.

Sophia and I aren’t compatible.

Her world and mine are legions apart; she should be dancing on stages and accepting bouquets of roses.

Instead, she’s in bed with a thug and working herself raw to make someone else rich.

That’s not how this is supposed to go down.

Yanking her bedside drawer open, I pull out a protein bar and walk away.

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