Page 107 of Beautifully Wounded

“There’d probably be a beating. A fine. And the girl would likely be reprimanded as well.”

A huge lump forms in my throat as my heart starts to hammer in my chest.

“Reprimand? Like being told off?”

“Yeah, in the least.” Jols nods.

“So… there could be more?”

“Look, Ringo won’t let anything happen to yo—”

“I asked if there could be more.” I snap, and her brows shoot high.

“There could be. It depends if the girl snuck in is a mole for the cops or another MC or gang, then that would step it up to a physical punishment.”

“And me? I’m not a mole, so I won’t have to pay a price like that, right?”

For the longest moment, Jols’ eyes dance between mine, and I prepare for the lie I know she’s gearing up to tell me.

“You may be punished physically.” She admits, and as scared and as stunned as I am, I’m grateful for her honesty.

A memory comes back to me from the night I found out it was Lexi who ordered Ringo to kidnap me. He’d stepped outside his room to speak on the phone, and I opened the door to hear his words.

“She’ll need to be relocated after the snap lockdown. She’s not safe here.”

Is that what he meant? If the ruse gets discovered, am I going to be in danger?

Even as I ask myself that question, I already know the answer.

“Look, Ringo won’t let that happen. Trust me. He’ll protect you.”

Tears threaten once again, but I force them to stay put. I’m so sick of crying. So sick of looking weak. So sick of not having control over my own life.

“I know.” I force a smile, lying to Jols, because I really don’t know her well enough to fully trust her.

Ringo… well, things have gotten a little blurry between us. The lockdown is nearly over, but what happens if someone finds out I’m not actually Ringo’s girl—his possession—while we are all locked in together and I can’t leave?

I hate the term “possession”. Why is it that men want to own women?

I guess it’s not all men. My dad never seemed that way. I feel like my mum wanted him to be that way with her, but he’s never been like that. She’s always been the assertive one. What she says goes. Maybe I wouldn’t be in this mess if I were more like her.

Harder. Tougher. Selfish.

But that’s not me. I know that’s not me.

Even as I think that, I remember the way I was with Daniel in the beginning. I fell hard for him. We quickly became inseparable, and I remember seeing the disappointment on Lexi’s face when she’d come to the courtyard at school for lunch, only to find me at the new ‘couple’s table’, already putting a rift between us.

Ugh, no wonder she didn’t tell me what was happening to her. I was too wrapped up in Daniel.

Maybe I am selfish.

Suddenly, a red light starts flashing in the room, and the ancient phone on the bedside table starts ringing, making Jolsstiffen.

“Shit.” She hisses, leaping up, and I follow.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, glancing up to see the source of the red flashing light just above the door. “What’s happening?”

“Stay here.” Jols grips both of my arms, her eyes locking with mine and I see a hint of panic in them.

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