THE DIAMOND (PART-2)

...CHAPTER 1 PART 2...

Healthy things that don’t run me off the road and enslave me.

The second man mutters, “I’d prefer not to fucking choose.”

It sounds like a hand slapping someone’s shoulder or back as if to reassure

Him. “Too bad you don’t have a choice, Rio. Doesn’t matter. This girl right

here is worth millions. I mean, we got a fucking diamond here. Just imagine

it, dude—Z's girl, the one and only, up on an auction stage.

You know how

many enemies he has? People will be frothing at the mouth to make his girl

their little toy. I’ll get my cut from Max, and the Society will compensate

you, I’m sure. We’ll be living fucking lavishly.” He lets out a burst of hyena like laughter. “I can buy my own goddamn private island after the money

goes through!”

A shot of anger pumps into me at the man’s callous words, speaking of me

like I’m a house up for sale.

“Your idea of comfort must be different from mine. We'll have to go into

hiding alongside her.

At least while Z is still alive,” the second man—Rio—

responds. His name sounds familiar, and I think I faintly remember someone

yelling his name after they ran me off the road.

“Don’t worry, man. We’ll get a head start with the ritual happening

tonight, and I’m sure the Society will take out Z, one way or another. They’ll

protect us.”

A derisive snort is the only response the first man gets.

Jesus Christ, I really am in deep trouble. Tears brim the corners of my

eyes, and try as I might, no amount of trash talking keeps them from

overflowing like rivers past the blindfold.

I barely manage to wrangle down the sob that’s still threatening to spill,

clawing its way up to the inside of my teeth.

Deep breaths, Addie. What did Zade teach you?

It takes several moments to collect my thoughts, but eventually, his voice

filters in.

Leave evidence.

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I slowly grip stands of my hair and tug

until they break free. The sharp pinpricks are inconsequential compared to the

rest of my body.

I keep my movements minimal and slow. With the blindfold on, I’ve no

idea if they can see me well. One movement out of the corner of their eye can

alert them.

I wiggle my fingers until the strands loosen and fall away.

Just as I’m reaching for more hair, they hit a particular brutal bump in the

road, and I can’t keep the yelp from slipping free.

The pair hadn’t been talking at that moment, but it felt like a crowded

room just went deathly silent in a matter of seconds.

“Welcome to the land of the living,sweetheart,”

one of the men croons.

It’s the first guy who had referred to me as a diamond.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask, my voice raspy and hoarse.

“To your new home—well, temporary home,” he corrects. “Whoever pays

the most will provide you with your forever home.”

He chuckles as if I’m a

dog about to be adopted into a loving family.

“Great,” I croak. “Sounds like I’ve hit the jackpot.”

One of them laughs humorlessly, but it sounds like Rio this time.

“Hold on

tight to that humor, baby girl. You’re going to need it for where you’re

going.”

Before I can open my mouth to respond, I feel a prick in my arm, followed

by a burning sensation spreading throughout my veins.

I suck in a sharp breath. And it happens to be the last breath I take before

darkness descends.

“Her vitals are unstable, and her blood pressure is dropping. We need to

get her an IV.”

I stir; the unfamiliar voice distorted beneath the ringing in my ears.

Agony blazes in every inch of my body, but it feels like I’m underwater, fighting to get to the surface yet kicking away from it because I just know the

pain will only intensify. I’m encased in a shroud of fire, flames licking at my

nerve endings, and the closer I get to consciousness, the brighter the flare.

There’s a tiny prick in my arm, followed by muffled voices coming from

different directions.

“Dislocated shoulder, head trauma, lacerations throughout her body.”

The

man’s voice fades out before cutting back in, a harsh shout that travels up my spine.

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