Page 3 of Heat & Deceit
“How much?”
“Ten.”
“Fuck you,” Curtis chuckles.
“Fuck you,” Mikey snaps back. “Ten, or we’ll find another buyer.”
For a moment, I’m confused.
“Ten grand for an omega? Did you knot her?”
And then, with jagged clarity, the truth of what’s happening cuts through me. They’re selling me? My knees knock together, but Ricky grabs me by the arm before I can fall, fingers digging into my flesh. Hurting.
That pain is nothing compared to the agony in my chest. My pack...the ones I dreamed about, the ones I longed and wished for, the saviors I prayed for...are selling me.
You’re not good enough.
“Of course, we knotted her. We had to test her out.” Mikey shoots a sneer in my direction. “Her cunt works well enough.”
My chest shudders as I breathe in. Ricky jerks me a little, sending a warning glare in my direction. My mouth is still firmly shut and my eyes are dry. But I don’t have to weep to fracture. I don’t have to release the pained cry that’s building in my chest to crack. With no sound at all, I shatter.
And they let me.
“Did you claim her?”
“What do you think?” Jimmy snaps.
“Fuck it, fine. Ten grand. Bring her tonight, or no deal.”
Tonight?
I shake my head. Ricky whispers for me to shut up. Black dots my vision, and the room loses focus. I clasp my chest, sucking in a haggard breath and bowling over.
“We’ll be there in a bit.” Mikey hangs up the phone and tosses it on the table.
Please, I plead in my head. I can’t say it out loud, not with the command to shut up, but I implore them with my eyes. I beg them, placing a trembling hand on my shoulder, where the mark should be.You’re my pack.
“Don’t give me that look. We’re not your pack. We never claimed you.” Ricky releases my arm.
My body is too weak, too in shock to hold myself up. I fall to the floor, naked ass slapping against the grimy linoleum. Curling my fingers, I dig my nails into the dirt and grease, watching as the filth embeds beneath the tips of my nails.
A strangled sound I can’t vocalize reverberates inside my chest, and I wheeze, shame lancing up my spine.
“Will you deal with that?” someone growls.
Something hard smashes into the back of my head.
Two
NOVA
PRESENT DAY
Patients, nurses, and therapists line the hall. I grip the strap of my backpack, the only thing I own, and take the first step forward. Everyone starts to clap, cheering for me, offering words of praise. I grind my teeth and push on. I avoid catching anyone’s eye. I tune out the sounds.
I’m almost free.
Before I can step outside, Dr. Olivia blocks my path. “Nova.” She says my name with so much emotion.
