Page 100 of Cruel Fate

“Now, Zane reallyismy best friend. He’d be a disgrace if the truth ever came out. That would be tragic, don’t you agree?”

I nod. I think of Zane’s handsome, boyish face. The love shimmering in his eyes. How he laughs, how he makes love.

I can’t let him find out the truth.

Painfully, I try to swallow. “What do you want?”

“If I can’t have Zarah, I’ll make do with you. All of you. You’ll never step foot outside, ever again. Tonight will be the last time you’ll ever see Zane. You will belong to me, and you will do what I say every moment of every day for the rest of your life.”

“No!” Zarah screams, and she launches her tiny body at Ash, pummeling his chest, her fists bothering him not at all.

He easily backhands her, and the crack echoes through the static buzzing through my brain.

Zarah falls to the floor, sobbing, holding a quaking hand to her cheek.

I’ll be Ash’s slave.

So Zane can be free.

“What if I say no?”

Ash shrugs. “Then I keep Zarah. Her pussy is a goldmine. I can’t lose.”

I can’t subject Zarah to a life of misery as Ash’s whore. The things she’s already tolerated...the pain, the abuse...it would go on forever. Until one day she wouldn’t be able to take it anymore and she would find an escape the only way she knew how. Zane would die without his sister.

And who am I? A girl who grew up in foster care. A woman who has no family. Who will miss me besides Zane? He’ll get over me soon enough. Marry someone more worthy of his love and position in the city. I’m nothing.

Nobody.

I help Zarah to her feet. Her cheek is puffy and red, and tears wet her face.

“I have a couple of requests of my own.”

Victory shines in his eyes. “I’ll do what I can.”

I can’t know if Ash will keep his promises. He may not, but I’m counting on honor among thieves, a mentality criminals hold dear. Make no mistake. I know Ash is a criminal and deserves to be thrown into a prison cell for the rest of hispathetic life. “Leave Zarah alone. Break off your engagement and let her live her life.”

“Done.”

“And never release that information. It will break Zane’s heart.”

More than my disappearance will.

“Done.”

I feel hollow inside. Numb.

Zarah moans my name and starts to sob.

The deal’s unbreakable. There is nothing she can do.

I turn to her and brush the tears off her cheeks. “Be brave, Zarah, and live a good life. Find your passion and make Zane proud of you.”

She grabs my wrists. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, I do. Zane needs you. More than he needs me. Protect him and keep him safe. I love him very much, and I’m doing this for him, for his future, okay? Help him forget me.”

“He’ll never forget you, Stella, nor will I.” She leans into me and whispers in my ear, “Iwillfind a way to get you out. I promise on my life.”

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