needs to be decided today.”
“So that’s it? Are you breaking up with me?”
I bite back my quick response. Lately, it’s felt like I’m channeling my inner Ryan and Brax. I grimace as I hear the reply I want to give in my head.
We’d have to be together to break up.
I’ve wanted off this ride for a long time now. I don’t intend to drag things out. That is until she hits me in my weak spot.
“John, this hasn’t been easy for me, you know. I’ve lost so much already. If I lose you… I don’t know if I can go on living.”
Fuck.
Something else to know about Lauren from high school. Since I never told my mother why I dumped Lauren in front of everyone, she reamed my ass good. I’ve never been able to make a girl cry without cringing since. It’s my weakness because I saw how hurt and disappointed Mom was even though I had a reason.
I reach to wrap an arm around Missy’s shoulders, and I do what I always do. I fix shit. I make it so that others hear what they need to be whole. What they need to hear so I get my way and they remain happy.
Tonight, I want to get back to work as much as I want to keep her from harming herself. Which is why I kiss the top of her head and rub her arm soothingly. Then I reassure her.
“It’s going to be fine. I’m here. It will all be all right.”
Chapter 6
Bonds
Roni
I really don’t know how much time has passed since I was taken. However, I have been counting the days since I’ve woken. Two months, that’s how much time has gone by give or take.
I’ve learned a lot since then, although I still can’t remember much about before I arrived. I’ve tried. I’ve tried very hard.
“They are coming to take more girls away today,” Natasha says in Spanish as she walks by my cot.
I nod my head slightly. I’ve watched plenty of girls come and go. Among a few of the other girls, Natasha and I have remained for a few different reasons.
“What did she say?”
Raven, the girl on the cot next to me asks. She’s new. She’s only been here for a few days or so.
I take in the dark circles under her worried eyes. Her right eye is black, marring her gorgeous brown skin. She looks like she could be Gabrielle Union’s little sister.
That’s one of the first things I’ve learned. If you are defiant, they won’t hesitate to put you in your place. Those who are rebellious also seem to have it rougher and remain longer. It’s as if they want to break us before taking us wherever the others go.
“They will be moving more girls soon,” I murmur low.
Her eyes grow panicked. She draws her legs into her chest and starts to rock. I know that look. I’ve seen it so many times before.
I lean in and catch her eyes. I give a slow shake of my head to warn her not to freak out. They hate that and the beatings are more severe for it.
“You’re safe for now. You’re in this room which means you’re valuable to them,” I whisper.
I’ve also realized there’s a difference between the holding cells. Thin walls separate us into small groups. They don’t like us to talk to each other, but I’ve figured out that the cells hold different individuals for different reasons.
I’ve watched through the glass panel of our room as they’ve ushered the young boys to and from the room next door. Natasha has told me about the others. Apparently, we are broken down by race, sex, age, and virginity.
I look around at all the brown faces in this room. Anger is the only emotion I can find as the thought of our future makes me sick. We mean nothing to these people.
“Each of us has a price,” I say to Raven.
“I’ve seen the girls in the other rooms,” she whispers. “I don’t want to be like them. Those men stand in line—”
Her last words are choked off by her emotions. I’ve only been out of this room a few times. They made me shower and dress up before they forced me to take pictures, some of them were nude.
“I don’t think your fate will be anything like theirs.”
It won’t be. The girls in this room are different. I believe I understand why I’m here, although I seem older than most of the girls they