Page 13 of Manacled Hearts

I don’t think my sister and I are in enough danger to require security. What worries me more is the fact that I seem to have stumbled into a world where these people deem it normal to have their own security… just lingering about.

I shake my head. “Thank you, but we don’t ne—”

“There are others that will come and go as well,” she interrupts. “They will always report to Brinn or Jay, whichever one of them is here. They both have instructions to introduce you or make you aware of their presence until you remember who is who. Okay?”

Her words caught a stern tone toward the end, leaving no room to argue. I debate it for a few seconds, but in the end I nod. I understand that Katya and the others live a vastly different life than me, even compared to when my parents were still around, but on the clock security who have their own apartment next door?

Who is Katya? Who are all these people?

And why are we being given this privilege?

“If I’m not here and you feel unsafe, call for them.” She shows me a shiny phone and places it on the island counter. “This is yours. The red app on the first screen is a direct signal to them. If you want to go out and neither me nor one of the guys are around, use Jay or Brinn. They can drive you around, show you shops, cafés, the beach—anywhere you want, so you can get accustomed to Queenscove.”

I scowl, finding this situation rather ridiculous. First of all, we’re a bunch of nobodies. Two homeless, pretty much orphaned girls who got stupidly unlucky. Having a security escort is preposterous. On the other hand, I also want to burst out laughing at her mention of shops and cafés. Like I have money or can afford to be shopping around. I’m uncomfortable lounging in Katya’s clothes, but even if I had money to spare, it would still be spent making sure Maya has everything she needs. I don’t actually remember the last time I bought clothes for myself. And every time these people offered to do it for me, I refused.

I’ve taken too much from Katya already. I can’t accept this too. Hand-me-downs are fine for now. Not for Maya, though. She got some new clothes from her.

“I appreciate it, but they should stay focused on you. We don’t need any security.” That word tastes wrong on my tongue.

“Evelyn, they are focused on me. And you and Maya are here, so they are focused on you too. You have everything you need in this apartment, but we both know that you will burst out of your skin soon, being cooped up for so long. It’s not my place, but you’ve been through hell all on your own. This way, you won’t be alone as you see the city and get used to it. You’ll be safe.”

But being alone is exactly what I want. She’s both right and wrong about the whole bursting out of my skin business, but it’s not a matter of the future. I’m already there. The shivers, the cold sweats, the gnawing somewhere in the hollow of my chest is screaming at me. I want to go out. I want to be alone. I want to search the seedy streets of Queenscove to find something. I don’t know what it is, but my veins are begging for it either way. I’m afraid I may be willing to risk too much to find it.

Sinking my teeth into my tongue, I try to push the perilous thought away. But it’s been with me since I woke up from the daze. When I forced down the groans that came with each movement that made my body burn with pain. When I wondered who pulled my clothes back up? Who cleaned me, wiped the blood from between my legs? Was there any blood?

A few more memories came back to me, though they feel like disjointed nightmares, not things I experienced. Just over a week has passed, and I’m done remembering. I don’t want the memories to come back. I can’t… I can’t have them back.

I want oblivion.

“Hi, I’m Maya.” My sister jumps out of nowhere, startling me.

A drop of sweat trickles down my spine, and I’m itching to jump into a shower. A cold one.

“Hi,” the men say in unison. “It’s nice to meet you, Maya.”

Looking at my little sister, I realize that it would be stupid of me to fight this and refuse the privilege. It’s not about me. I wasn’t able to protect her, so why risk not having the extra hand that is so much more capable than mine?

“It’s my turn today,” Jay says, “but we wanted to drop by together to introduce ourselves. Get acquainted.”

“I have to leave for the day. I have quite a bit of work to do. But I will be back tonight,” Katya says, turning to grab her expensive looking bag off the bar stool. “I don’t think I’ll be here in time for dinner, but there is food in the fridge and the boys know the good take outs in the area as well.”

“Thank you,” I say, already knowing we will be eating whatever is available here.

I feel sorry about this. She hasn’t left this apartment since we came here. Not while I was awake, anyway. We’ve kept her away from her work, from whatever responsibilities she holds. I should ask her what she does for a living.

She’s only around mid-thirties, and this apartment cannot be cheap. Even if she rents. And the way she’s dressed—a tailored dark green pantsuit hugs her slender, tall body, and shiny high heels that must cost more than all the clothes I’ve ever worn are wrapped around her feet. She’s important, and I kept her from whatever fuels her lifestyle.

“We appreciate this… Brinn, Jay,” I say, finally addressing the men. “Thank you, Katya.”

Brinn nods and follows her out.

“I’ll be outside if you need me,” Jay says with an almost cold, impersonal expression in his features.

I want to ask him what he means by that. Where outside? Literally standing in the corridor? Will he stand or sit? I feel bad, but I don’t know the man, so I don’t ask a thing. He leaves a moment later, and for the first time since we were taken, Maya and I are alone. Not just that, we’re in a home. Albeit a neatly manicured one, but a home, nonetheless. No car. No shoddy motel. No… danger.

Looking around, it takes but a second to realize that I have no idea what to do with myself.

“Do you think Katya will mind if I take out one of her books?” Maya pulls my attention, standing in front of a narrow bookcase.