Page 10 of Queen Of Clubs

“I don’t know, but we need to think of a way. If she ends up being an omega, we’re three hundred thousand dollars richer! We can’t let an opportunity like this go by!” My eyes widen, my breathing coming in short, shallow pants as paralyzing fear grips me.

“Charles,” she says in a frantic tone. “If we get caught, we go to jail. Is it really worth it?”

“We’re not going to get caught,” he snorts out a laugh. “Who’s going to know? If someone comes asking about her, we tell them she left the moment she turned eighteen. But let's be real, Karen, the likelihood of that is really fucking slim. She has no one. No one will miss her. No one will come looking.”

What the fuck is going on? Are they seriously talking about fucking selling me?! Like I’m not even a human being. What the fuck is wrong with these people? I knew they weren't right in the head, but to go as low as human trafficking?

“If she ends up being a beta, I’m sure we could still get something for her. Not as much as if she was an omega, but I could ask,” Charles says as casually as if he's talking about the damn weather.

The bottle in my hand slips, clattering to the floor.

“Shit,” Karen hisses. “Shut up. Not another word.”

Taking a shuddering breath, I will my legs to work and head the rest of the way down to the kitchen. With each step, it takes everything in me not to collapse to the ground.

I manage to put everything away and make it back to my room. Locking the door behind me, I sit on my bed, freaking the fuck out.

My plan was always to leave tomorrow, but now I’m not sure I should even wait that long. As soon as they go to bed, I’m out of here.

Grabbing the money from the floorboards, I shove it into the backpack that carries all my worldly possessions—which is hardly anything at all—and double-check that I have my ID. After placing it by the window, I lay down on my bed and stare at the ceiling.

I need to get away from these fucked up monsters before they get a chance to sell me. Sell me. Fucking sell me! Again, what the fuck is wrong with these people? How the hell did the state even let these evil people take care of kids?

My mind races, thinking of where I’m going to go, finally forcing my hand to make a choice. I’m flying to San Francisco. That's where I’m going to get my fresh start. Taking a bus would take too long, and I don’t want to risk them finding me.

As the time ticks by, I feel my eyelids grow heavier and heavier.

I have to stay awake. I can’t risk falling asleep.

But maybe just a nap. So that I’m not tired when I leave. I’ll need to be alert for when I make my grand escape. It’s still only six, and they won’t be going to sleep for hours, but the door is locked. If they get in, I’ll just jump out the window and run like my ass is on fire.

Yeah, just a nap.

Chapter 4

Jade

Iwake up with a groan, my head pounding and my eyes heavy.

Shit! How long was I asleep for?

Bolting upright in my bed, I slap a hand over my mouth as a wave of nausea hits me like a brick. I blink my eyes, trying to adjust to the dark.

Dark. Fuck. It’s nighttime. What time is it?

Frantically, I pat at the bed, searching for my phone. My hand hits something cold and solid. Grabbing my phone, I click on the screen lock and wince at the bright light.

Twelve thirty.

I let out a sigh of relief. They both should be passed out by now.

After the adrenaline of waking up settles, I realize something isn’t right.

Blinking into the night, my brain and nose register a new smell. The room reeks of peaches and cream. My brow furrows in confusion, wondering how this could be when my stomach cramps. I groan, bending over as a sharp pain rips through me.

And then I’m utterly mortified when I feel a gush. Oh god, did I just piss myself?

Jumping to my feet, I steady myself as my head spins. I blink a few times before going over to the door and turning on the light. Looking down, I see there's a wet spot on my pants. My cheeks heat in embarrassment before I rush over to the bed. It’s also wet, only...

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