Page 230 of Heartless Legacy

“And what happens to her for those two days?”

“She’s working to pay off the debt you owe. Do you agree?”

“Only if you promise not to let anyone touch her.”

“I’m a businessman, not a fool. I have her and she has the ability to make me money. I’m not forgoing that for you. Now, do you agree to play or not?”

What choice do I have? It’s LJ. I can’t let her go through this. “Yes.”

“Excellent. I’ll send you the details. Ditch your phone afterwards -and this should go without saying- if you even think about calling the cops or getting yourleagueinvolved, then the next video you get will be of my more forceful buyers getting acquainted with your friend.”

Two texts come in back to back. The first is the address from Lazarro. The second is the announcement that the emergency session the council has been hinting at has been scheduled for the day after tomorrow, and attendance is mandatory.

“Thea, I don’t think this is a good idea.” Sasha says for the hundredth time.

“Neither do I, but I’m doing it, anyway. Call you after.” I disconnect the call, and rest my forehead on the steering wheel of the car I stole, taking a moment to center myself. This is the worst idea I’ve ever had, but I’m desperate, and I’ll do anything for LJ.

I lift my head and watch as someone in a hoody crosses in front of the car and knocks on the passenger side window. I huff a sigh of annoyance as I unlock the door, scowling at the boy scout who slides into the passenger seat. He drums on the dashboard as he stares at the posters plastered on the wall in front of us.

“Can I help you?” My eyes flick to the rearview mirror, tracking the two men guarding the door.

“No, but maybe I can help you.”

“I don’t need help.”

He turns to face me and says, “Thea. Can I call you Thea? I’m gonna be real with you. I don’t give a shit why you’re doing whatever it is you’re about to do. I just don’t want to be the one who has to tell Operations his special little snowflake, almost got killed trying to roll a gang member. Now, if that’s what you wantme to write up in my report, I will. But before we go in there, I need some basic intel, so I’ll know what kind of clean-up crew to call in afterwards.”

I blink at him. Phoenix agents are supposed to be invisible, and until they want to be seen, they are. None of them ever interact with me, outside of our missions, and meetings with Alexz. I’ve come up with a slipshod plan, and I don’t know what kind of shape I’ll be in, in forty-eight hours.

If I pull this off, there will be something he can help me with. “Don’t interrupt. No matter what you see or hear, stay quiet.”

He’s already shakinghis head, and says, “I can’t agree to that. If shit pops off, I have to help.”

“If shit pops off, it’ll be my fault and it’ll be too late for anyone to help us.”

I step out of the car and cross the parking lot, prepared to step into the devil’s lair, and do what I said I’d never do again. Trade a piece of my soul for a favor.

Chapter 124

Pax

Iyank at the chains holding me to the bed, ignoring the pain of them cutting into my skin. If I go deep enough to draw blood, maybe I’ll be able to slip my hands free. Or sever an artery. I woke in Rockridge and spent the first two days fighting the guards and patients, as part of the treatment plan my father arranged for me. That second day was the worst of all and a blow to the head knocked me out cold.

The next time I came to, I knew what Thea must’ve felt, because it was clear I was no longer in Rockridge. She burned down the place where they kept her, but the people running it had no problem finding a new base of operations. Or maybe they just have so many places already.

Felix Lazarro is a vile human being, more evil than my father. It’s clear why they’re friends. The room I’m in is nothing more than a sound stage. The furnishings and walls make it look like a bedroom, but the walls don’t extend to the ceiling or enclose on four sides, and there is no hallway behind the door. The faux interior is in a literal cage.

The young girl in the cage behind me tries to muffle her cries. They’ve threatened to speed up her sale if she doesn’t pull herself together. The captive on my right is waiting to be ransomed backto her family. There are others here too. I can’t see them, but I can hear their cries, screams, or the buyer’s laughter, jokes, and demands as they sample the merchandise.

The door to my cage opens and Felix walks in with a nurse. He stands off to the side while the nurse comes forward to check my injuries. When I jerk away from her touch, Felix warns, “She’s trying to help. I lose money if you’re too injured to work.”

“That’s supposed to make me feel bad? I’ll have a shit ton more injuries if I have to fight.”

He steps further into the light, but a part of his face remains obscured by shadows, making his smile seem even more sinister. “Fight? You misunderstand the role you’re here to play. You’re not here to simply fight. The clients pay to do whatever they want to your body. A virile man like you will earn top dollar.”

“You think I’m gonna let you pimp me out?”

“Think?” He cackles. “Let me? Save your indignation. I’ve been pimping you out for years. Only now, I’m offering an upgrade in your services.”

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