Page 64 of Unhinged

“I said, open your fucking mouth, whore.” He steps closer, his dick an inch from her mouth. “Now.”

“Carlos!” Relief coils through me at the sound of that voice. Taren’s voice. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

Carlos, the burly guard, steps back and pales. He stuffs his cock back in his pants, glancing at him sheepishly. “Wanted to make sure the girls are ready.”

Taren steps forward, his gaze searing holes through Carlos. “That’s not your job,” he says. “I’ve already made sure they’re ready.” His dark, almost black eyes sweep over us, a flash of concern crossing his features. It’s gone as quickly as it appears. He’s still playing his part.

“To your stations,” Taren commands the guards, his voice echoing around the room. They disperse immediately, leaving us alone with him.

As Taren walks toward us, I can see the anger in his eyes, but there’s something else too. “Did they touch you?” he growls, eyes on mine.

I shake my head. “No,” I breathe.

The tension in his muscles eases. “Good, or I would’ve ripped his throat out.”

“I...” My voice is barely a whisper, barely heard over the distant commotion. I want to ask Taren if everything will be okay, but the answer is already in his eyes. They’re hard and cold, reflecting a reality he’s too afraid to put into words. He doesn’t know. Not really.

I swallow hard, my throat tight and my heart heavy. Taren can’t promise our safety, and he can’t assure a happy ending. All we have is the silent understanding that we’re in this together, no matter the outcome.

“We might die,” I confirm.

His jaw clenches. “I’ll do anything to save you,” he whispers.

I know he can’t be heard saying these things, not by anyone here. It could be fatal. “Be careful,” I mutter.

Thiago appears in the doorway. “Taren, it’s time.”

Taren’s back tenses.

Thiago’s attention lingers on Luna, his jaw clenching. He doesn’t say anything but looks as concerned for her as Taren looks for me. My brow furrows as he turns and leaves.

“Keep your heads down when it all goes to shit.” Taren turns away and walks out of the holding area, leaving us alone.

I glance at Luna. “Is there something going on with you and Thiago?” I ask. I’ve been wondering about it for a while. Might as well get it out in the open if we might die.

Luna’s tanned cheeks instantly flush pink. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she murmurs, but her blush tells me a different story.

Maybe we’re both as crazy as each other. “You like him?” I ask.

She sighs. “What the hell. I know I accused you of Stockholm Syndrome, but I’ve fallen into the trap, too.”

Kali tenses a little by her side. “Maybe I have as well.” She sounds broken.

My brow furrows. “What?”

Surely not. Matias has been fucking vile to her.

She shakes her head, hugging her arms around herself. “I don’t know. I’m feeling fucked up.”

I reach out and place my hand on her shoulder to offer comfort. “Kali, you don’t have to figure it out now,” I tell her. “We’re all in strange waters here.”

Luna nods, her face serious. “It’s okay, Kali. We’re with you, no matter what.”

Kali looks at us, her eyes brimming with tears, but she doesn’t respond. We settle into a somber silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. The room feels suffocating.

“Whatever happens,” I say, breaking the silence. “We stick together. We fight together.”

They both nod, their expressions determined. The gravity of our situation hangs over us, but there’s a certain strength in our unity, a silent promise to stand by each other, come what may.

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