Page 81 of The Dirty Saint

Everything in me told me this girl wasn’t making it out alive.

During

JOEY

I wake to the sound of low, muffled cries. It’s a sad sound, but it isn’t deep, and I know that when Ezra cries, she does so with her whole body. She doesn’t try to fake her pain.

“I’m s-sorry,” a voice says softly. “Go back to sleep. Please.”

When I turn my head around, I see a young, blonde girl with tear-streaked cheeks and bright red, puffy eyes. She must be a teenager, but her face makes her look even more youthful.

A sharp ache tears through me.

Why is this girl here? Unless she killed someone or is involved in some high-level crime, she isn’t the usual clientele.

“What’s your name,” I ask.

She doesn’t answer.

“It’s okay,” Ezra says, her back pressed against the wall, shackles wrapped around her swollen ankles. “You can tell us.”

The young girl is reluctant, and honestly, I don’t blame her. She is chained up in some random man’s basement, away from her friends and family, completely unaware of what is going to happen to her.

“L-Lana,” she finally lets out. “My name is Lana.”

“Well, then, I guess my parents must have disliked me from the beginning. Here you are being named something so beautiful, and I’m stuck with the creepy pedophilic teacher from Pretty Little Liars.”

Lana cracks a small smile at Ezra.

That’s my girl.

“Not to mention my middle name. Evaline. Like an old fucking lady.”

Lana smiles again and it sends a sadness through my body. I know what these people are capable of—hell, I’m the one who taught them, and her innocence will be destroyed by the time she makes it out.

Ifshe makes it out.

“How old are you, Lana?” I ask.

“Twenty-Two.”

“Where are you from?”

“I—”

Lana stops herself from answering.

She’s nervous, which makes sense. She has every reason to be apprehensive about talking to us.

“We aren’t going to hurt you,” I assure her. “I promise.”

Ezra holds her hand out to Lana, who, after a few moments of simply staring at it, grabs it.

“We are going to keep you safe. Believe me, they put a hand on you, and we will rip out their throats with our teeth.”

Lana nods.

“I see you two have met our newest addition.” Michael walks into the room, holding a half-eaten burger. He grins as he walks over to Lana, whose eyes are now filled with anxiety. “Isn’t she pretty?”

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