Page 8 of Beautifully Wounded

“Sarg?”

Wait.

That’s not a man, I realise, the voice feminine, and that’s when I notice the shorter stature of this black clad person, who definitely has boobs under those clothes.

“Find a bag and pack her stuff. Make sure you get all the girly shit you chicks like. We leave in five.”

“Yes, Sarg.” She nods, her gaze lingering on me for a moment before she heads for my wardrobe.

I don’t get a chance to see what she’s getting as Sarg urges me forward and I stumble over my feet when he tries to move me.

“Ouch,” I cry as a splinter of glass stabs into my bare foot, and the man curses before sweeping me up in his arms.

I’m trembling in his hold, terrified of what’s about to happen. Terrified for the moment he delivers me to Daniel. Because when that happens, my life will be over.

I was so close to getting out of here. Another two days and I would have been free. Another two days and I would have had the safety of my Uni accommodation to protect me while I prepared my final escape plan, but thanks to my sister, everything has changed.

The man’s thick arms feel strong as he carries me, and I hate how I get the urge to curl into his hold, exhaustion starting to make itself known, probably an effect of the one pill still in my system.

When I’m carted through the doorway of my parents’ bedroom, it takes me a moment to comprehend what I’m seeing.

My parents, on their knees. Black smudges of mascara have run down my mum’s face, and dad’s cheeks are nearly purple as he sobs. Beside them, are two other men, tall and strong, dressed all in black with their faces covered as well.

What the…

“Put her down!” my mum screeches, snapping her teeth like a rabid dog. “You can’t have her!”

The man carrying me chuckles, even as he lowers my feet to the floor.

“Oh, I can, and I will,” he snickers, and I don’t miss the insinuation in his tone, my head snapping in his direction.

“What are you talking about?” I ask, confused as hell.

“Nothing. Just reminding your mummy dearest that she can’t have you anymore. You’re mine now.”

“W-what?” My mouth drops open as I turn my gaze to my parents. “Daddy?” I beg, hoping he’ll fix everything, just like he did when I was little.

Sarg chuckles again. “Sweetheart, the only man you’ll be calling Daddy from now on is me.”

What?

“No!” My dad roars as my eyes widen and I take a step back, only to crash into the other man that was in my room before.

“Steady,” he says quietly, not sounding as menacing as the huge man they call Sarg, who I’m pretty sure just said I’ll be calling him Daddy.

Uh-uh. No way!

I spin on my heel, trying to make a run for it, but strong arms wrap around my waist and haul me backwards, my legs kicking out as I panic.

“Calm down, kid. We ain’t gonna hurt you.”

I want to scoff and argue with the man pinning me to him, but his hand slaps over my mouth, stopping any words from coming out as he turns back to face us towards Sarg and my parents.

“Mr Delany. Mrs Delany. I hereby relieve you of your duties of the care of your daughter. She is now my responsibility. I will be the one to discipline her from now on.”

“No! You can’t have her. She belongs to me. She’s to be married—”

Sarg lurches forward, fisting the top of my mum’s hair, much like she did to me earlier tonight when she forced pills down my throat. I can’t help it, when he tugs her head back and my mum cries out in pain, I start to relax, and I even think I smile behind the hand still covering my mouth.

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