“I don’t know what’s so funny. Unless you’re laughing at the tragedy that is your life,” Meagan says, turning to see if she receives Sam’s approval for her terrible attempt at bullying me. Once she notices Sam’s smirk, she turns back to me and turns her nose up in my direction.
“The only tragedy here is your piss poor attempt at trying to put me in my place. It’s just too bad for you that you’re not even in the same zip code as me,” I reply, cutting my eyes at her.
A door opens and a short woman with graying hair styled in a pixie cut and pink scrubs steps out holding a tablet.
“Okay, ladies, we’re ready for you. We’ll call you back one at a time. Once you receive your implant, you’re free to go,” her mousey voice informs us. “Summer Anderson. You’re up first.”
Summer pops up from her seat and walks through the open door. Once the snick of the lock is heard, Samantha takes it as her opportunity to continue where her pleb left off.
“You know you won’t be chosen. It will be me in the end. I’ll have them all,” she decrees, with confidence only a delusional person can have. Her nose is still in the brace, but her eyes narrow in challenge, hoping I’ll engage. I won’t give her the satisfaction.
Pulling out my phone, I text the guys. Images of the other night in my room heating my cheeks.
Me: Why am I doing this again?
Sneaky Devil??: so there are no babies and you can take over the world until you’re ready to have a litter of little critters that look like the perfect blend of all of us.
The Big O: So I can shove my dick inside of you.
Me: So convincing…I’m out of here….
I love messing with them.
The Big O: Someone wants to be punished
Me: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Sneaky Devil??: But I think you do.
The Big O: I think you like it when we chase you.
I shiver, chills run up my spine, and butterflies whirl in my belly. The idea of either of them, no, both of them, chasing me and what would happen once I was caught makes me squeeze my thighs together as I clench.
Me: Again….I don’t know what you’re referring to. I think you have me mixed up with someone else. ??
The Big O: You’ll know who we’re talking about when my hand is around your throat as you choke Wy down.
Sneaky Devil??: While O has you riding his hand.
Fuck. My eyes close as my tongue rolls in my mouth, imagining how it will feel to gag around August again. My lips lift into a grin, almost tasting him again.
“I wouldn’t be smiling if I were you. It’s only a matter of time before you get everything you deserve and you’re kicked back to the slums where you belong,” Samantha snides, interrupting my vivid daydream.
Lifting my gaze, my eyes narrow in her direction, but before I can tell the bitch where to stuff it, the door swings open, Summer steps out, and the nurse calls Sam to the back. The priss rises and heads for the back, stopping right as she’s about to step inside.
“I’m so glad to get this. It will mean no more condoms between Rowan and me,” she smirks, winking before finally walking through the door.
My chest constricts at her words. I know she and Rowan had, and maybe still have, a thing, and he’s not anything to me.
So why does the idea of them being together make my blood boil? On a good day, I want to punch him in the mouth. Since I’ve been back, our interactions aren’t as arctic, but I’d say they’re still frosty.
I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t hear when my name is called. I look up and see I’m the last one here.
How long was I thinking about Rowan fucking Sam? For fuck’s sake.
“Sorry,” I say to the nurse, hopping up from my seat and following her to the back.
* * *
“That’s it?” I inquire.
“Yes, but remember you’ll need to wear a condom since you haven’t had your period until the hormones take effect. Then you’re all set,” Dr. Lambert instructs.
“I plan on wearing condoms even after that, Doc. Nothing’s one hundred percent.”
“Smart girl,” she replies, but there’s something in the way she’s looking at me that makes me wonder if she means it. The look is gone before I can be sure it was even there.
Shaking it off, I hop down from the exam table. It’s been a long ass day. I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw a talking phoenix at this point.
After I thank Dr. Lambert one more time, then leave her office. I know Thomas and Erik are both waiting for me outside. Ever since my kidnapping, I’ve had at least two guards at all times, one of whom is always Thomas when I’m out of the house.
“Ready to go, Emma?” T asks. I’m still working on getting him to call me Ry, but it’s better than that Miss Bishop bullshit he was spewing only weeks ago.
Nodding, I lean my head back on the seat and sigh. Shutting my eyes, I let the stress of the day roll off me. Reaching up, I massage the spot the implant rests. These assholes overreached, but I’m glad to have the protection.
The vibration of my phone has my eyes snap open. I see it’s a text.
Unknown: You’re still behind in the race and have yet to learn your place. I’ll take a girl until it’s you I can finally erase.
Color leeches from my face. Another girl’s been taken.
EMMA
No one was taken. I sighed with such relief when Thomas told me everyone was accounted for and that security was being increased for each girl.
“Riah! Bitch. Are you with me?” Shay coaxes me from my thoughts.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.