Page 84 of Marked

He won’t let them get away with what they’re doing. I have to be patient.

“Look. You sold her. Vince had a buyer, she’s gone. Nothing I can do,” Jimmy’s telling the man.

“Can’t you call Vince? Maybe get her back?”

Jimmy laughs.

“No, man. She’s gone. Like gone, gone. These guys who buy the girls from Vince…I told you what would happen. She’s dead, man. Gone.” His laugh sends an electric shiver up my spine.

I know that laugh.

I’ve heard that laugh. It lives in my brain. In my bones.

As soon as my head snaps up, Zack puts his hand around the back of my neck, but I’m not looking away.

Make a choice already. Which one.

It was him.

I lower my eyes before he sees me. Tears roll off my cheek and fall to my dress.

Zack squeezes just enough to remind me I’m safe. He’s here. I’m protected.

“Shit. Sorry, Jimmy. He got past us.”

“Just get rid of him.” Jimmy waves his hand.

The man, now crying, is dragged away.

“Your girl looks ready to play,” Jimmy says. His fucking ice clanks in his glass again. I want to shove each piece of it up his ass. The glass, too.

“Soon,” Zack agrees. “I’ve been wanting to take on another girl. This one is good, but I miss breaking her in.”

“I get that,” Jimmy agrees. “There’s the store here, but most of those girls are used goods. Broken in other ways, you know.”

“I do.”

“I got a guy if you’re interested. Vince.”

“The one you were just talking about.”

“Yeah. Him. He must be busy today, haven’t gotten a response back, but I understand he’s got three live ones. Brand fucking new. They’ve had a rough couple of days, but they’ll be perfect for what you’re looking for. They’ll need breaking in.”

Zack’s muscle tense. His anger rolls off of him, but Jimmy’s too enthralled with making a deal to notice.

“How old?” Zack asks.

“Two younger ones, twenty-one, twenty-two, sisters. Then the older one is forty-five. The mom, but I hear she’s a looker. I can see if he still has them available.”

“I don’t know,” Zack counters. “Oh, the platform just opened.” He moves to stand, grabbing me by the arm and pulling me to my feet. “Let me think about it and I’ll let you know. How can I get a hold of you?”

Jimmy leans out to Zack. “Here’s my card. Just text that number. I’ll let Vince know you’re interested.”

“Thanks. That would be great.” Zack tugs on me, pulling me away from where Jimmy sits, sipping the rest of his drink. I glance over my shoulder, catching his gaze for moment.

It’s just for a breath.

But long enough for the evil to resonate.

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