Page 38 of Scarred Sacrifice
“Round one champion!” he cheers.
She gives him a tight smile before walking towards me. “Right, now for Edna and Sherry!” Henry calls.
Edna walks over and stands, glaring at Henry with pure hatred.
I instinctively grab Valentina’s hand in mine. I don’t know why I do it. For show, for my own comfort? Her body moves closer into me, and I release her hand and wrap my arm around her waist, holding her close. She rests her forearms on my shoulder, threading her fingers through my short hair at the back of my neck, scraping her nails on my skin. I look down at her, moving my hands to her back so I can feel her exposed soft skin. The move feels natural.
She looks down to the ground. “Who are they?” she asks on a whisper, so only I can hear.
“There is a maximum security prison about an hour away from here. The governor made a deal with Henry, so when the capacity is getting too much and there is overcrowding, it solves his problem, keeps his costs down, and Henry gets the entertainment he wants,” I tell her.
She gives a gentle nod. “Rapists, sex offenders, and murderers?” she asks.
I nod. “So we are told,” I state.
“Still doesn’t feel right,” she adds. “We don’t know their story. They could be wrongfully convicted,” she says in a sad tone.
“Believe what we are told. They are, and don’t let your mind wander down that route, or it will haunt you,” I tell her in reassurance.
I reach out and tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. The action is far too familiar and personal. She freezes and takes a step back. I shove my hands in my pockets, questioning why I did that in the first place. She hates me and I hate her. This act we are having to put on is clearly messing with my fucking mind.
“Are you prepared to have your ass handed to you?” I ask, going back to our familiar territory. Immediately, the tension eases from her.
She crosses her arms and raises her brow. “I’ve never lost a game at chess. You are going down, O’Connor,” she threatens, fighting a smile.
As the afternoon draws to an end, it’s the final, and it’s me versus Valentina. She eyes me from her side of the board as the new prisoners are brought out. The shock of the event has clearly worn off.
“Well, well, well. The two lovers must now duel! Who will conquer?!” Henry cheers excitedly.
She starts first, playing it safe, her eyes always looking for the perfect execution. “E2 to E4,” she calls out, a smile playing on her lips. I mimic her move, both our pawns facing one another. “B1 to C3,” she calls out.
“D8 to F6,” I call out, both of our pieces diagonally squaring off to one another.
We continue to make our moves, but then she grins a devilish grin. “C4 takes E6.” Her pawn moves and mine explodes, the sound of blood and flesh scattering the other prisoners and floor. “Your move, O’Connor,” she goads.
“F7 takes E6.” I grin back as my pawn takes hers that she just moved. Another beep sounds, followed by an explosion as her pawn is annihilated. “Your turn, Sparky.” I wink.
She grins, biting down on her plump bottom lip, her face in concentration. “C1 to G5.”
“H7,” I call out, moving my pawn one space.
She paces back and forth watching, then her eyes alight. “G5 takes F6,” she says with a grin, and my knight explodes. I watch her through the shower of blood as it rains down on the board, her gaze pinned on mine.
“F6,” I call out, taking hers right out. Another explosion. We keep playing fast, toe to toe. I take out one of hers, then she takes out one of mine. That’s when I see it. She has me. Check fucking mate. I’ve lost, and yet I cannot stop fucking smiling.
“And we have a champion! Miss Valentina Fox!” Henry calls out. She doesn’t acknowledge him as her gaze is firmly fixed on mine, and if I’m not wrong, there is heat in her eyes.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s retreat to our rooms and prepare for tonight’s final night. Our ball.” Henry grins. “Miss Fox, if you will come and collect your prize.” I move towards her to follow, but Henry holds up his hand. “No need, Nyx. She is in safe hands,” he states, his eyes glaring at me in warning.
I give him a nod and head back towards the house. Looking over my shoulder, I see Valentina walking with Henry in the other direction towards the summer house.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
MORRIGAN
Henry placeshis hand on my bare lower back as he guides me towards his summer house. A million thoughts are whirling through my mind as different scenarios play out; ways I can get out of a situation should it arise, without hurting him or making it obvious who I am.
We reach the house, and he opens the door, gesturing for me to enter. He calls it a summer house, yet it’s bigger than most normal homes. I step inside, my heels clicking on the hard wood floors as I enter. The house is decorated as though it is spring, with beautiful flowers in various vases dotted around.
