Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Oh, fuck. My eyes feel huge as her threat settles over us like a dark cloud. If I thought Judge was pissed before, I was wrong. Now, his rage is a living, breathing animal, so palpable I can feel it radiating off him.
“That won’t be necessary,” I choke out, trying to salvage this trainwreck of a negotiation. “Santi will talk to me.”
Georgie looks doubtful that Judge will let that happen, and if I’m being honest, so am I. His current status is throwing off over my dead body vibes, and I know the reason is because he doesn’t want to lose Santi as a friend. Solana hit him right in the solar plexus with her well-aimed threat, but in doing so, she also revealed that I’ve told them far more about IVI than I ever should have. Something I don’t doubt will go over too well with Judge.
“I’m not leaving here until I know Mercedes has a line of communication.” Solana stares Judge down in a way that I have to give her credit for, considering he terrifies most grown men. “And if one single day goes by that I don’t get proof of life, I will burn this place to the fucking ground to find her. Do you understand me?”
I suck in a sharp breath, simultaneously loving my friend and wishing she’d trust my assurances that I can handle this. But then again, I’m the one who dragged them into this world. They only know what they’ve seen and heard so far, which hasn’t been great.
“She’ll call you once a day under my supervision,” Judge clips out. “At a time of my choosing.”
Honestly, I’m surprised by his concession, and I can tell Solana is too. I didn’t think he’d cave, but then again, she gave him a powerful motivation. And I’m not sure how to feel about his determination not to let Santiago know what’s happening. That doesn’t bode well for me.
For a split second, a fleeting thought enters my mind. It’s almost too brutal to even consider, yet it’s there. Would he try to convince me to get rid of the pregnancy?
As I stare at his profile, I know he couldn’t. In my heart, I know Judge. He can be cruel—he said so himself—but I don’t believe he’d ever try to hurt me that way. I can’t allow myself to believe it for a second. The problem is, I don’t know how he thinks he’s possibly going to keep this from my brother.
I can shield Judge from The Society. I could live a life separate from them, not attending events. Staying out of the public eye. None of the members would ever have to know these children are his. But I can’t shield that information from my brother. There is no way when Santi knows I’ve been in his care this entire time. It will come out, and it won’t end well for their friendship. That, I do regret. But I can’t change it either.
“Mercedes.” Georgie’s voice pulls me back to the matter at hand. “Are you really okay?”
“Yes.” I force a tearful smile. “I’m okay.”
He gives me a funny look as if he’s trying to tell me something, and it takes me a moment to realize what it is. Georgie has always been protective of Solana and me. When we’d go out together, he came up with a system to keep us safe. I had forgotten about it until now, but it’s clear that’s what he’s asking me. We have code phrases we’d use in any situation we ever felt unsafe, and Georgie would handle it. Mine was somewhat of an inside joke. If only they made a drink that could cure a headache.
Right now, he needs that assurance. If I use the code phrase in a positive context, he’ll know I’m lying about feeling safe here. And I know he won’t leave until he trusts that I am.
“Don’t worry about me,” I tell him softly. “They don’t make drinks strong enough to cure a headache, but I doubt I’ll need one anytime soon.”
His face softens, and Judge turns slightly, shifting his gaze between us, his eyes narrowed. He knows I’m communicating some sort of secret, but he doesn’t know what.
“It’s time for you to leave,” he grits out. “We’re done here.”
“It will be okay.” I mouth the words to them as the guards usher them back, and Judge starts to close the door. “I promise.”
8
MERCEDES
Somehow, the absent hours I spend in isolation in my room turn from one day to another until they’ve blurred together, and I’m not even sure how many have passed. Judge appears at random times in my doorway simply to tell me it’s time to call Solana. During these brief interactions, his face is guarded, his emotions completely shut down. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, but when I follow him down to his office where he allows me to make the phone call, I feel his eyes on me. I’ve caught him staring at my belly a few times, jaw clenched, eyes somewhere distant. He doesn’t give voice to his thoughts, and I’m too much of a coward to ask what they might be.