The Unfortunates(39)

Pushing the profiles to the side, Kade accessed the footage to the main sector inside the mine. Conveniently, the image was scrambled, showing nothing but a vibrating image of white, black, and grey. He returned to the profiles page. Something was definitely happening inside his mine and he was going to figure it out. If they come back with something, Kade would travel to the mine and kill all of the Unfortunates himself. If they came back with nothing, then the only option he had left would be to purchase one of the Knowles’ mines and abandon the last. The Knowles were the only other family that owned mines. They had four less than the Sarios did, but they were much more modern and safe. The price of a mine so well structured would cost a lot—probably more than the Sarios had. Then it hit him, if he offered something he knew Albert Knowle would like—a young, auburn-haired Unfortunate with violet eyes—perhaps Kade could negotiate a price drop. Albert Knowle was known for wanting things no one else had and his selective tastes in Unfortunates. He liked unique. He liked alluring mouths, big breasts, and slim hips—he liked to be seduced and sucked, not fucked—out of respect for his lovely wife, of course. It was perfect. Nine could take Albert in her mouth as many times as he wanted in exchange for a cheaper price on a new mine. Then, under Kade’s rule, the Sarios’ income percentage would increase, not decrease because of the loss of a mine. Kade leaned back in his chair and smiled; it was almost too easy. Quickly, he selected the third moderator down on the left. He was relatively new, but had more muscles in his neck alone than Kade had in his entire body. He’d do just fine. He tapped the ‘summon’ button and entered tomorrow’s date. Once he set the time for quarter past twelve, he closed all of the tabs and shut off his screen. Now all he had to do was teach Nine exactly what he wanted her to do. He knew she wasn’t going to be willing to do it. Not after the disagreement they’d just had, so Kade decided to wait and let her cool off. Tomorrow night, however, she’d learn. Kade would tie her up and force it on her if he had to. Forget being kind, forget doing what’s right. Kade needed to think about his future and the future of his family name. He couldn’t afford a distraction, not now. Not when he was so close to securing everything he’d worked so hard for…



∞ Nine ∞

(The next night)



I lie on my bed with my feet on the cold, concrete wall, mindlessly counting the cracks in the white paint. I went the whole day without seeing Master Kade. The silence last time persisted two weeks and I hope it happens again. I still haven’t gotten over the fact he tried to shove me into a fireplace or the fact I wouldn’t let him. Any other Fortunate would have killed me, or worse, humiliated me. Master Kade is different than the others and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Sure, he’s aggressive, inappropriate, and demanding… but he’s something else, as well. I wonder if his inability to hurt me is actually because he’s planning to use me, or if he simply can’t bring himself to hurt me. That, of course, would be completely out of character for a Fortunate, especially one born into the system and taught how to be… inhuman. I expected Kade to be more like his brother Vince. I shudder at the thought of the poor innocent Unfortunate that’ll be assigned to him in the coming years—not that it matters. I don’t get it… I don’t get why Fortunates receive their own Unfortunate for their twenty-fifth birthday when they can use any Unfortunate in the house anytime they want. Greedy, that’s all the Fortunates are. I can’t complain about my Fortunate, though. It’s been weeks since the ceremony where I had Kade’s symbol burnt into my flesh and I still have my virginity intact. Surely, that has to be some kind of record? He’s clearly getting what he needs elsewhere… with Elizabeth. The thought sends a harsh prickle of jealousy up my spine. Who would’ve thought I’d be jealous because my Fortunate hasn’t touched me? A soft knock at my door snaps me back to reality. I swing my legs off of the wall and onto the floor, sitting up. The door opens and Thirteen’s pretty, but bruised face peers in. When her stare settles on me, they water and narrow in. The look of her makes my heart ache with guilt. Here I am feeling a little jealous because Kade has sex with Elizabeth when I’m sure Thirteen would give anything to be in my position. I get left alone for the most part… she did too, until Vince wanted to get back at me.

“Master Kade wants to see you,” she mutters, pushing open the door.

I peer out the dusty window. It’s dusk, the sky is a beautiful inky shade, and the stars glisten like diamonds. What does he want with me at this time? Dread settles in my stomach and pushes out all thoughts of jealousy.