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More unholy images raged in her mind.

Her parents lying on a cold table. Douglas looking back at her before closing the door.

The walls began to cave in, sliding faster and faster.

“I’ll do it,” Khalani blurted out.

Everyone whipped their heads to her, and she sensed the tendrils of icy anger pouring from Takeshi at the end of the table.

“Khalani.” Serene gripped her arm, pulling her attention. “It doesn’t have to be you.”

“Yes, it does,” she said, ignoring the pang in her chest. If anyone was going to put themselves in danger, it needed to be her. “You know how to steal, but I know how to fight. I have the best shot of getting out of there alive. And I won’t let you put yourself in danger over me.”

Serene’s chin wobbled, tears pricking the corners of her eyes as she shook her head in denial.

Raziel cleared his throat, reminding them that time was of the essence. “And which of the men will it be?”

“Me.”

Khalani closed her eyes, elated and terrified by the person who spoke. There wasn’t even a split second of hesitation from the end of the table. Takeshi’s voice bounded across the room like thunder, not offering room for someone to argue against him.

Brock frowned, his gaze flickering to Serene, but he remained irately silent.

“Alright.” Raziel stood, fastening his suit jacket. “I’ll prepare everything for the drop. Have them ready to go by eight p.m. sharp, Spade.” Raziel bounded out the door without another word, slamming it with a thud.

The silence was deafening.

She felt the blood rush of out her face, only beginning to realize what she’d just signed up for.

“Khalani,” Serene turned to her once more, pleading. “You’ve been through so much. You don’t have to do this. I can go.”

“Or Winnie can.” Winnie grabbed Khalani’s hand. “Winnie would rather something happen to her than to you.”

“No,” she snapped, her voice rising. Khalani drew back slightly when Winnie and Serene flinched, taking a breath to calm herself.

“I will do it. I’ll be fine,” she said with a confidence she didn’t feel.

Khalani had been the one to push for going to the surface, convincing everyone to join her.

It was her time to face the consequences of those actions.

Wanting to be alone, she excused herself to the restroom. Her shoulders slumped against the tile wall as the weight of what she’d just agreed to hit her like a ton of bricks.

She was willingly going back into chains. Heading back to prison with the one man she needed to avoid the most.

They’d escaped once before.

But she couldn’t shake the terrible feeling that this time, they wouldn’t make it out alive.

18

Those who are naked can still be wearing costumes.

She was going to be killed that very night.

Of that, Khalani was certain.

And it wasn’t brooding guards or violent criminals that would do her in. It was the six-inch black heels Spade had left for her, along with a dark red dress draped over the bed.