Page 198 of Beautifully Damaged Boxset

Kassandra laughed. A beautiful melodic sound that made me want to punch her in the throat. She was a twisted, sick fuck and didn’t deserve to have a nice laugh.

“Catherine and I are . . . estranged. We haven’t spoken in nineteen years.”

“Opal, what about you?” I figured if I’d been blunt already, there was no harm in asking more questions.

“Catherine thinks I’m dead.” She ran her palm over her thigh, her sharp gaze assessing me.

“That makes sense why Holden never mentioned either of you.” My attention bounced between them as I attempted to assess their intentions.

“Barrett says you’re pregnant. I’m assuming it’s Holden’s?” Kassandra said nonchalantly.

“Of course it is.” I placed my hand protectively over my lower abdomen.

“Have you had an appointment with a medical professional to confirm?” Opal asked.

“No. As I told Kassandra, I took the test only minutes before a needle was jabbed into my skin, a bag was pulled over my head, and I was thrown into the back of a delivery truck. It made it a smidge difficult to schedule an appointment.” Apparently, my hormones were playing with me. Normally, I knew when to shut my mouth, but this time I didn’t seem to have control over what spilled out.

“Well, we’re about to do just that. I’ve called a doctor to examine you and verify that you’re, in fact, pregnant,” Opal said.

Instincts did their best to protect me, sending my heart hiccupping before catapulting into an all-out sprint.

“For your sake, let’s hope you are. I hate liars. Liars are severely punished here.” Kassandra flashed a pearly white smile at me.

I nodded, terror pulsing through my veins at what that might mean.

“Why?” I asked softly. “Why would two women run a sex trafficking ring?” I was struggling for something to make sense.

Opal and Kassandra looked at each other before they broke into laughter. “Money, darling. I know you’re young and in love, but one thing that’s been available through the years is sex. Men and women will pay handsomely to feed their illegal fetishes. Luring young girls in is incredibly easy. Girls don’t trust men. They’re warned against them. Stranger danger.” Kassandra added air quotes to her last words. “But society doesn’t warn against women, so girls blindly talk to us, befriend us.”

My nostrils flared, and I wondered if I could aim the rising puke in my gut to land on Kassandra. “Michelle. That’s her job, isn’t it?” I fidgeted in my seat, squelching the overwhelming desire to run for my life.

Kassandra’s expression gleamed with dark thoughts and deadly secrets. She was lethal, sneaky, and made Tim and Logan appear angelic.

“She’s one of our best,” Opal confided. “After all, she brought us you.”

I shot off my chair, unable to pretend any longer. “Fuck you. You both disgust me. Innocent boys and girls are being beaten and raped, and you’re proud of your business? How do you sleep at night?” My chest heaved with anger and fear.

“Like a baby,” Kassandra crooned.

“I like this one,” Opal said to Kassandra. “I have the perfect man in mind for her. He’ll pay millions for a feisty fighter.”

Kassandra’s dark eyebrow rose. “Hmm … it would probably be best to sell her to someone overseas. I don’t trust that Holden will ever stop searching for her.” Kassandra’s attention returned to me. “The answer to your question, River: I sleep very well, thank you. With millions and millions of dollars at my disposal, I can afford the best beds and security.” A cold, calculating expression twisted Kassandra’s features.

“Well said, daughter.” Opal chuckled. “Now, let’s find out if you’re actually pregnant with my great-grandchild, shall we?”

Fisting my hands at my sides, I stared at them, not giving a response. They weren’t asking me anyway.

“You will comply, or I’ll have a few of my men drag you to the doctor and strap you down. Either way is fine with me.” Opal rose from her seat, an air of hostility swirling around us.

My mind whirled with options, but I was at an impasse.

“This way,” Opal ordered, sensing my cooperation.

I obediently fell in behind Opal, and Kassandra after me. We walked to the back wall, and Opal paused in front of a keypad near the door. She blocked my view, then punched in a code. A soft click reached my ears, then Opal pulled on the handle and led us down a hallway. Once we reached the end, she turned right and into a room filled with light.

A medical office. I glanced around, eyeing the table with stirrups, cabinets, and several medical machines.

“Hello, River. I’ll be with you in a moment.” A blonde in her late forties sat at a desk, scribbling notes. When she was finished, she rose from the chair and offered me a cheery smile. “I’m Doctor Austin.” She held her hand out to me and my gaze cut to Kassandra and Opal.

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