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“It’s up to you, darling.” Zach chuckles darkly, sending what feels like spiders crawling down my back. “It’s her or you. Then it will be your friend, MacKenzie, or you. And finally, I’m pretty sure you’ll even give up for Angela Harris.”

I blow out a breath and meet Jack’s eyes. We’re running out of time, and I don’t have any good options.

CHAPTER 24

The Acceptable Loss

Harper

Some part of me locks away inside, knowing what’s going to happen and knowing I have to protect myself, at least mentally. But I have to remain aware in case there’s an opportunity to escape, if I can figure out how to protect everyone else in the process.

That’s my biggest issue. I might be able to escape, but what would happen to my friends if I got away? To Penny. To Kenz. To Jack.

Is it really fair to expect any of them to take my place? Just so I can go free? I don’t even know where we are. If Art was right, we’re in the middle of nowhere. With nowhere to run to get help.

Zach has the numbers to hunt me down and the incentive. I shiver. I’ll do what I can to stall them. But I can’t risk any of the others.

“Down the hallway. First door on the right.” Zach gestures for me to head that way. “Don’t worry. You need your meds before we break you.”

I swallow hard. My knees grow weak. My fists are still closed around the batons, but he hasn’t asked me to drop them. Yet. No one’s touched me. Yet.

I follow Tanner and the other goon as they lead the way with Penny between them. She’s stiff. They won’t let anyone go until I give them what they want. They would have raped her in front of me. A chill crawls down my spine.

Everything inside me fights against following. Of meekly going with them to my doom. The need to fight or run plagues my every step. I keep waiting for my guys to burst in and save all of us.

For Caden to cut Tanner down for what he’s done to me, his sister, and poor Will. For Luke and Eli to make these men pay for what they’ve done. For Nico to take me into his arms and tell me everything is going to be okay.

I cling to that hope even as I put one foot in front of the other. It can’t end like this. My need to fight is warring with my need to protect the others. Jack’s cuts have stopped bleeding, but the stains of his blood are on his skin as a reminder. Zach is willing to hurt him until I do as he says.

I can’t watch him hurt Jack more.

Maybe this is my strength. Quiet, but strong. Willing to do what needs to be done to help my friends and my guys. Willing to sacrifice everything for them.

My heart falls into my stomach.

The hallway is long, but it doesn’t take any time before we’re at the room. An old full-size mattress lies on the ground. There’s a new blanket on it. How thoughtful of them. But I’m sure under that blanket are the stains from the crimes committed here. The cuffs and chains are worn leather.

I swallow down the bile rising again. I have to keep reminding myself of what’s at stake. They’ve already killed someone. They’ll kill everyone or send them off to a life worse than death in human trafficking if I don’t submit.

Honestly, I don’t have a guarantee that won’t happen even if I submit. But it’s the only thing in my control.

A tear escapes to trail down my cheek.

“Hold him.” Zach pushes Jack toward the bigger guy who stands against a wall.

Jack’s been quiet, but I can’t look at him. If I meet his eyes, I don’t know if I’ll see resignation or disappointment.

Zach walks over to a counter off to the side. The counter is full of things that I don’t want to think about or inspect too closely. When my gaze lands on a syringe filled with fluid. My knees almost cave under me. Once he injects it into me, I don’t know what’s going to happen.

My hands shake, and my fingernails dig into my palm. That’s a lie. I know exactly what will happen. They’ll use me up until there’s nothing left. Until I’m one of the women my mom tried so desperately to save.

Tanner stands against the wall with Penny’s arm gripped tight, bunching up what must be Will’s jacket. When I meet Penny’s eyes, there’s a sadness in them. She knows what I’ll go through to protect her. I hate that she’ll have to witness it.

She shakes her head slightly, like she’s asking me what the fuck am I doing.

What choice do we have? What choice do I have? I can’t sit back and watch them violate my friends.

Zach was right. I wouldn’t even sit back and watch that with Angela Harris. Not because I like her, but because she’s a human and deserves someone willing to save her.