Page 9 of Queen of Vengeance

I wished they were still alive so I could tell them how right they were.

“Don’t worry; I’m not here to make you rat out your friends. Actually, there’s a bigger fish I want you to help me fry.” He reached into his cloak and pulled out a picture of a man I hadn’t seen in fifteen years.

Fire and brimstone billowed up from my stomach and into my chest.

Cold sweat dripped down the back of my neck.

“Do you recognize this man?” He could tell from my facial expression that I did, but he asked the question anyway.

“That’s Diesel Ransom.” I gritted my teeth against each other as I glared up at Eniko.

“Excellent. I want you to help me take down Diesel Ransom and his illegal empire.” He took the photo away again and folded his hands in front of him. He stared at me with such intensity and without blinking.

I scoffed before pushing myself up off the bed, ignoring the massive amount of pain I was in. “And what do I get in return if I do this for you?”

“Don’t play coy with me, Miss Nadir. I know you want to see this man crumble more than most. I know that he is responsible for the death of your family. He has taken everything from you and probably has a lot to do with your imprisonment.” Eniko’s cool demeanor cracked for a moment at my nonchalant response. He hoped to get a rise out of me with his knowledge, but he failed. Then he sighed heavily and shook his head. “If you agree to help me with this, I’ll grant you your freedom.”

The word rang in my ears over and over.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I even toyed with the idea that a guard hit me over the head and caused me to hallucinate. “Freedom?”

His cold exterior crumbled momentarily, and he seemed to commiserate with me. “Yes, I don’t believe that people like you belong here.”

How was I supposed to respond? I couldn’t think of what to say. That was when I heard laughter, but it wasn’t coming from Eniko. It was coming from me. I was laughing.

Why was I laughing? I didn’t find anything about this funny.

My hands cupped my face, and I felt hot tears pouring out of my eyes.

I didn’t know what I felt.

“Is that a ‘yes?’” Eniko pushed for an answer.

This is everything I’ve wanted for the last fifteen years. So, why can’t I just agree immediately?

Dineta’s face flashed into my mind at that moment.

My heart sank.

That was what held me back.

I couldn’t leave her behind. “I’ll do it… If you grant my cellmate, Dineta, her freedom as well.”

Eniko’s face twisted. He wasn’t too keen on promising another prisoner’s freedom, but he knew I wouldn’t accept his terms without negotiation. He shut his eyes briefly, no doubt reining back his irritation. “Fine.”

The entire world stopped for a moment.

The air hitched in my lungs.

I just kept staring at him in disbelief. If this was a dream, let me never wake up.

“Just give me the day to sort out the paperwork. I’ll have you and your friend paroled by morning.” Eniko pressed his hand into his knee as he stood up from his chair.

I was still trying to regain my ability to breathe. So the room was dead quiet when he glanced over his shoulder at me as he walked out the door. “And don’t even think about double-crossing me.”

I scowled at him and didn’t respond.

I didn’t need him to threaten me.

---