Page 77 of I Will Save You

“I thought you said – ”

“Paigelynn. Do you trust me?”

“With all my heart.”

A heart that might beat in someone else’s chest soon.

The thought comes into my mind so fluidly, so simply. Acculturated to this world, I’m turning into my own version of depraved.

“Grab Winnie. What you’re wearing is fine.”

“Will they have clothes for me? Where we’re going?”

Oh, they’ll have something for you, alright.

“Yes.”

“But – ”

“The helicopter is going to be here any minute.”

“Cam.” She reaches for my hand, threading her fingers in mine, pulling it up to her mouth for a kiss. “Talk to me.”

“I am.”

“You’re very… businesslike.”

“I’m worried.”

Right thing to say.

“You are?”

“I want to keep you safe. We need to move to keep you safe,” I grind out, hating the lie.

But is it a lie? I can’t tell whether I’m lying to her or telling the truth.

Paul’s right.

I hate that he’s right.

Delivering her to the auction is going to solve more problems than keeping her away creates.

“You’re so caring. Always thinking about me,” she says with a grin, coquettish, trusting eyes catching mine. In a different world, a different time, we’d enjoy each other’s company.

In this timeline, though, I have to bring her to a billionaire flesh auction.

I hate this timeline.

For the next three minutes, we gather our meager things, Winnie tucked under Paigelynn’s arm as she throws some plums into the pockets of the cardigan she’s now wearing.

“Helicopter snack,” she jokes, and of all the things that put a crack in my facade, it’s this that makes me nearly fall apart.

A fucking plum.

The walk to the elevator is quiet. Somber, even as she clings to me, holding my hand. We walk onto the elevator like it’s Death Row, and as we ascend I wonder if this is how great leaders feel, condemning battalions to death in risky maneuvers.

You have to try, like it or not, because the longshot can save so many lives.

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