Page 42 of Royally Lucky

“It doesn’t matter what they thought. You were stronger than they gave you credit for,” Sutton argued.

The woman didn’t look up from the unmoving body as she shook her head. “No. I wasn’t the strong one. Annabelle—that’s her name.” She looked up, meeting Kendrick’s gaze. Thank you for saving us.”

He jerked his chin up and down, unwilling to admit he’d only come to get his woman. “How long have you been there?”

“We were sold to the Dragna for a debt our father owed over a month ago. At first, we only had to work upstairs as part of the cleaning service. Anna caught a man's eye, and he wanted her to serve his room during a party. She wouldn’t agree unless I got to go with her.”

“What’s your name?” Sutton asked.

“Annalise. My family calls me Alise. We’re fraternal twins. Our birthday was last week.” She bent her head. A sob shook her petite frame.

He noticed the other woman stayed silent, watching them and listening.

Kendrick looked over to where Sutton sat back from tending to Annabelle. Tears clouded his woman’s beautiful brown eyes. “How old are you two?”

Annalise bit her lip. “We turned nineteen.”

Fuck. They were babies. He sucked in a breath, doing his best to keep the angry retort inside. Their father and possibly even their mother had a hand in giving their young daughters over to a monster. Some say that the mind could block out traumatic experiences. Maybe these women, no, the young ladies, could choose to forget the atrocities subjected to them. Kendrick didn’t think it was possible, though. For the last month, they went through what God only knew and made to suffer shit nobody should, thanks to the ones who were supposed to love and cherish them—their own parents. He wondered if the other woman had been there as long or longer.

Andre’s jaw clenched, and he appeared to want to pull her into his arms. “Would you like some water?” he asked both women, looking at the one huddled off to the side and then at Alise.

A firm nod had Andre reaching into the cooler next to him. He grabbed two bottles, handing one to Sutton for Alise. He twisted the cap off for the other woman, then held it out to her as if she were a feral child. Kendrick looked back to where Sutton sat, sighing at the look of defeat on her beautiful face.

“Have you spoken to either of your parents since you’ve been here?” Kendrick would find out who they were and where they lived. Once he had that information, they would get a visit. He could guarantee neither of them would enjoy what he had to say.

Annalise shook her head.

“How long will she be out? Will...will she have scars?”

Sutton reached for Annalise’s hand but pulled back as she realized the glove was still on. His woman pulled the bloody latex off, giving a deep sigh. “I can’t say for sure, but my guess is that these lacerations will leave a mark unlike those on your face. If she were to see a plastic surgeon, they might be able to do something to lessen them. Honestly, I don’t know for sure, so I don’t want to make you any promises. I didn’t want to do any sewing in the back of this van. That’s why I pulled the edges as close as possible to stop the bleeding. When we get to the clubhouse, I hope Doc is there and has some better options.”

“I called Doc and informed him what we’re coming in with. If there’s anyone who can get shit done, it’s him. I told him that cost wasn’t an option. He said he’d have everything ready when we got there. I updated him on her age since that might be a factor. He also knows we have a twin situation in case of blood, but he says that shouldn’t be necessary.” Cosmo’s answer from the passenger seat sent a rush of relief through Kendrick.

“She will have scars. There’s always scars,” the other girl rasped.

Kendrick whipped his head around, startled to hear her voice and the low tone coming from such a young girl.

“I am Carla. I also have a tracker in me. Your doctor will need to remove it. They may also have one. I do not know since they didn’t come to the Dungeon until recently.”

“Where is your tracker?” Cosmo asked.

She lifted the hair from her neck and pointed. “I was given the tracker within my first week after my surgery. You’ll have to ask them if they saw medical.”

“What surgery?” Sutton asked.

The girl gave a dark laugh. She took a long pull from the water bottle, wiping her mouth before answering. “They gave me a hysterectomy, so there were no worries about unwanted pregnancy.”

A harsh cry left Sutton’s mouth, accompanied by a whimper from Alise. Andre growled while Cosmo cursed.

“I am so very sorry, soru nica. Nobody had the right to do that to you or anyone.”

“What did you call me?” She sniffed, hiding her face behind the bottle.

“He called you little sister,” Andre answered for Kendrick.

“I didn’t want children anyhow,” she muttered.

“How old are you?” Andre asked.

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