Page 81 of Sapphire

“But you can’t afford to take time off from your job, you’ll miss out on opportunities.”

“I would miss out on them if I were dead as well.”

I blanch at her candidness.

She gives me a smile, letting me know it’s okay. “If I’m honest, I kind of like having this time away from work. I haven’t had a break from studying for years. It’s making me reassess my life a little.”

I laugh. “Well, I’m glad I could help, I think.”

“Come on, let’s go home and watch more of Mateo. I need to know if his brother’s lover is really their sister.”

This cracks us up as we find our security detail and head back to the car.

* * *

“Thanks for sharing your bed with me,” Gracie says as she jumps into the king-size bed. With the boys in Barcelona, Gracie and I are having a slumber party.

“It’s just like when we were kids.”

She smiles, remembering the times we would jump into each other’s bed if we feared something. As the two youngest, we shared a room while Sophie and Mackenzie shared another.

We curl up beside each other and watch the shadows dance across the ceiling. Eventually, we both drift off, exhausted from a big day of walking, wine, and non-stop talking.

Screams wake me.

My eyes frantically search the room as they try to adjust to the darkness.

“Zoe!” Gracie screams again, but before I can react strong arms grab me, and I’m ripped from the safety of my bed. I try to thrash about, but they have a tight hold on me. I kick my legs out, and the person stumbles. I do it again, catching them in the shin hard enough for them to lose balance and stumble, which lets me escape.

“Gracie!” I scream as I frantically run down the corridor, then I freeze.

26

ZOE

“Good to see you again, Sapphire,” Dmitri snarls. He is pointing a gun at Gracie’s head. “Nikolai will be so happy to have you back, he has missed you. We all have. I’ve most definitely missed that expert mouth.” His eyes drop to my lips, making me shiver in repulsion. “Nikolai was very upset when you escaped. You knew he had to teach you a lesson. He couldn’t just let you go. The others would think they too could escape, and we can’t have that, can we?” His eyes darken at the threat. “Nikolai didn’t want to hurt you. He was very upset when he heard the news of your death.”

Yeah, I’m sure Nikolai was crying in his caviar over it.

“You were special to him. I don’t understand why because that pussy is definitely not gold-plated. It’s good but not good enough to give up all that other pussy.”

I flinch at his words, memories of his lips on my skin, rough fingers digging into my hips, his sweaty body pressing against mine. I hated that Nikolai would make me touch Dmitri. Ihatedit. I stare at Gracie, imploring her to not do anything stupid. I can see her anger bubbling to the surface with each depraved thing Dmitri says to me.

“Please, let Gracie go.”

Dmitri lets out an evil laugh. “You seriously think we’re going to let this one go?” His fingers slip through Gracie’s silky hair. “She’s too exquisite to just let go, she will fetch us a good price. Plus, Nikolai needs her to make you comply.”

Gracie silently sobs as Dmitri talks.

It’s ripping my heart out that I got her into this mess. I was supposed to keep her safe.Gracie, I am so sorry that I couldn’t protect you.

“Please, let her go, Dmitri. Just take me. I promise I will never escape again. I won’t fight Nikolai. I will do whatever he asks, whoever he asks. I promise I’ll be a good girl. Please just let my sister go.”

Dmitri shakes his head. “No can do. You owe us, Sapphire, and Gracie is your payment.”

“No!” I wail, feeling utterly hopeless. I don’t want this life for her. She’s not strong enough for what they have in store for her. I don’t think I’m strong enough to go through it again, let alone watch her suffer as well.

“This fine piece of ass is too good to let go, plus, I’m looking forward to tasting her again. Something about you ladies keeps my cousin and I coming back. Not enough to stop me from tasting others, but enough to keep me coming back.” He runs the edge of the gun along her face, making her flinch. “Hope you enjoyed this little holiday because it’s the last one you will ever have.”

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