The Fortunates (Unfortunate #2) - Skyla Madi Page 0,8

of paper—a piece of paper that will determine how the rest of my life will go.

His black, soulless eyes lock with mine and I can’t fathom why there’s a curve on his lips.

He holds me in place for what feels like an eternity before switching his attention to Kade.

“For your sake…” he states, opening the piece of paper. “She better be one of us.”

A sharp pain shoots from the nape of my neck and down my spine as I look to Kade. He swallows hard, but he doesn’t lower his gun. I force my attention back to Vince. His eyes scan over the simple piece of paper, but they give nothing away. There is no smirk, no scowl, not even a twitch of his eyebrow. Guilt swirls in my stomach…because the name I hope he reads off the paper isn’t mine.

Because I’m not finished here…

Because I need more time with Kaden…

Because I can change the world…

I frown, not knowing where the last thought came from. It sprung to the front of my mind with vigor, inciting newfound passion in my body.

A small eternity later, Vince lifts his eyes. My stomach falls, bile rises, and my heart splinters in half as Vince shouts the verdict with a loud boom.

“Kill her!”

Chapter Four

Kade

A deafening bang cracked through the air, vibrating the wood underneath his feet, and a shrill squeal pierced his ears. His stomach cramped, tightening itself into a painful knot. His first reaction was to shoot forward and as he slid the palms of his hands over her body, he expected blood. Her body shook as if she was in pain, but there was no evidence to show him she was shot. Her shrill scream chilled his blood. The icy vessels cut through his veins and carved their way through his heart, making it twist in his chest. Without a thought, Soyer unchained her from the post and she fell forward. If he wasn’t already touching her, her weak legs would have dropped her to the floor. Crying, Nine’s slender fingers gripped the collar of his shirt and she pulled him hard against her before burying her face into his chest. Nine sobbed harder than he’d ever heard her sob and he wrapped his comforting arms around her breakable frame. Guilt swirled inside of him as his happiness began to manifest. A dead body laid in a crumpled heap beside him, but it was because of that dead body he now had everything he’d ever wanted.

Finally.

Nine was going to be okay. She was finally going to be his in every way Kade imagined.

The sound of chains being cut clicked over the sound of the excited crowed. Out of the corner of his eye, Kathryn’s frail, limp body collapsed to the floor. He looked at her and immediately regretted doing so as blood spilled from the hole in her head, staining the dark wood with crimson and black.

Without so much as a minute’s silence, Vince addressed the crowd. There was no hiding the bitter, disappointed tone in his voice. It was a sound Kade revelled in. He enjoyed taking Vince’s pleasure from him. Nine’s survival was the last thing Vince wanted, and though it warmed Kade to know that Vince had lost, it also worried him. Vince would not take his loss gracefully. He’d known him long enough to understand exactly how his twisted mind worked. From this point on Kade had to be aware of his baby brother at all times because he knew he’d want revenge.

“…and she condemned her own child into a life of servitude!” He swiped his hand over his mouth. “Our blood will not be confused for theirs. We are pure. We are classes above the scum and we always will be.” Vince turned his body toward us. “Welcome home, Anna.”

She kept her face tucked into Kade’s chest, her body still shaking with her cries. With a sneer, Vince whirled on his heel and stormed away. Kade inhaled and filled his lungs with ease. It was always easier to breathe when Vincent wasn’t around. The raucous sound of clapping filled the air and discussion swirled around them. Kade hated it. He hated that the same people who watched on in excitement as he seared his family crest into her flesh, and watched as Vince ordered an Unfortunate to violate her body, clapped and smiled at her as if she were family. It was unacceptable for them to even think they could look at someone like Nine—someone who didn’t