Page 482 of Cheaters: A Dark Romance Anthology

The move from my hands is sudden and sharp, and the sound of his neck breaking fills me with the pride I’ve lost. I let go of him and the weight of his limp body hits me hard as I push him to the ground. My eyes don’t leave Naja’s. Her hand goes to her mouth, more shock etched into her face. I don’t know who I did this for – me or her, but either way, it’s done now, and I’ve got a plan to get on with.

“You … you killed him,” she stutters. I look at his body and then grab hold of his arms to start dragging. Miri starts talking in that language, and then Naja stops me as I get to the door. “You did this for my sister?”

I don’t know, but I look outside the door to make sure it’s clear and then start dragging him towards the branding room. He’s pulled inside it, and I turn the table over to create a barrier to shield his dead body before leaving and locking the door behind me.

“Jackson?” she says. I grab my jacket from the door and shrug into it again, straightening my clothes. “I don’t understand,” she continues, still gripping onto a crying Miri.

“Shut her the hell up,” I snarl, still rage-filled. “I can’t fucking think with all that sobbing.”

I pace a few steps, trying to get my loose plan back on track now I’ve killed a Cortez.

And then I chuckle, the sound as dark as Abel’s would be.

Killed a fucking Cortez. Enjoyed it.

My own neck cracks as I pull in a few breaths to calm me down, and I look back at them both. They’re over by the wall, both of them looking scared, but at least Miri’s not crying anymore. Naja looks at me, uses those eyes of hers to full effect to say thank you maybe, but she’s as wary of me as I’ve ever seen her now. I get that, but this is who I am when these Cortez lot aren’t around to spoil my own sense of fun.

“You both need to go and get dressed,” I mutter. “Carry on as normal.”

“But,” she looks back towards the door Elias is now in, “what’s happening up there? None of us understand.”

“You’re being sold. Act like you don’t know that and don't tell the others.”

Mira starts sobbing again, and Naja just stares at me. “Sold?”

“Yes. And I need the time. Do as you’re told.”

“Time for what?”

I move, grab her neck, and kiss her to try telling her what I mean. Fuck knows what I mean in reality. We don’t have any time other than about four minutes per girl per dance, but I need to make the most of that time to organise whatever I’m about to do.

She gazes up at me as I let her go, grabs hold of Miri again.

“Go, Naja. Trust me. Just do your job.”

She takes one last look at me, smiles slightly, then turns and hurries them both back towards where they’re supposed to be.

Chapter Twelve

NAJA

Just do your job. Just do your job.

The words play in my head as I cling to Miri. Her sobs have only quietened, and I can still feel her body quake and tremble against mine, as she struggles to process what’s happening.

Do your job.

We weren’t here to work. We shouldn’t be here at all, but that’s not stopped anything we’ve been through so far.

“Sold?” Miri whispers through her shakes.

“Shh,” I hush her. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.” I pull her close as we sit and wait in the room the trainer left us in.

I squeeze my eyes shut, but as I do, the vision of Jackson, his hands around Elias’ neck, springs forward. The strength in his hands, the callous look on his face as he choked the life from him.

I didn’t want him to stop. All I could think was that he’d never be able to hurt Miri again, but that was only for a second.

A second.

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