Page 29 of Pushed

Chapter Seven

Machi

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She's going to getus killed.

Dragging her behind me, I walked quick and fast, not even caring if her feet were touching the floor. Imperial was on a mission of destruction, her body being the first to go if she didn't stop her fucking outbursts.

These people were bad, they would torture her, they would beat her and scar her with more than just physical wounds. Her mind would shatter into a million pieces and she would never be able to put herself back together.

What if she helps them to see? What if she turns out to be my downfall?

No. I won't allow that to happen.

Watching the crowd, I kept my eyes open for Ethan, trying to make sure he was long gone and had found his way to his perch to watch the show. Glancing towards the rafters, I could see his face as he spoke to a man cloaked in shadows.

I assumed it was Sylvan, the man who had welcomed me in, who had given me compliments or reprimand on my work, always using the mouth of his pigeon. No one ever saw him, not unless he decided you were worthy of his time.

After everything I had done, his door was still closed to me.

Well, what he thought you did. That fucking bastard.

If he only knew how far I'd go.

Ethan was the least of my worries, he was just another fly hovering over a piece of shit; a toy, a frail set of hands to do Sylvan's bidding.

I didn't really give a shit about what he thought, he could like me, he could hate me, it didn't matter. I could destroy him without breaking a sweat, and I planned on taking him out too—when the time was right.

But he wasn't the reason I was there. It was the man he retreated to like a dog searching for praise, Sylvan was the man I was after.

It took me way too long to get this far. Two years of my life had already been spent in this godforsaken place. I wanted to get out, I was ready for this all to be over, but not until I finally got to meet the man in charge.

There was unfinished business I needed to take care of, and until then, I was stuck. I refused to leave without saying my peace. In all reality, it didn't matter how I left, leaving on my own good graces wouldn't be granted with a handshake and an admiring nod.

The day I decided to leave would be my last.

Men like Sylvan don't release their grip, they don't bid farewell and wish you good luck. Men like him make sure there are no loose ends, they'd nod you goodbye and wave a hand to the executioner. One bullet, that's all they needed to keep their secrets buried.

And that didn't bother me one fucking bit. I had accepted my fate long before I got there. I knew getting involved would end with me in the ground.

But Imperial wasn't going to have to endure this place for any longer than was necessary. The minute I could get her out, I would. She just had to do what I told her to.

I didn't give her any directions that were too hard to follow. No talking, no looking, stay behind. That was it.

Why is it so fucking difficult for her to listen?

She needs answers, M, you know that!

Her feet slapped and smacked behind me as her fingers gripped my hand to keep up. Was she looking? Was she watching what was going on around her?

Not if she knew what was good for her.

It wasn't just Ethan watching my every move, there were others. Men who wanted to move up, sick assholes that wanted a taste of power; when all they really deserved was having their balls cut off.

But eyes were eyes, every single move I made had to be exactly what they expected.

Coming to the end of the first row of seats, I whipped her forward and shoved her into the aisle. “On your knees,” I demanded, placing my hands on her shoulders and guiding her down to the floor. She didn't resist, her body was malleable, folding over in submission.

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