Page 20 of Scarred Sacrifice (Savage Sisters MC #1)

My eyes roam over her. Today’s outfit is a playsuit; the top a black halter neck with plunging neckline, which is tied up with an extravagant bow at the back of her neck and one at her waist, and the shorts are white, stopping at the top of her thighs.

Add in the strappy heels with it, showcasing her long stunning legs, I know every man’s eyes here are trailing up her legs.

“Today’s game is chess. With a twist, of course.” Henry grins, gesturing to the life size chess board. “A tournament to the end,” he adds. I pull Valentina close, my fingers dancing along her bare back.

“Did you choose this outfit as a distraction?” I whisper in her ear.

She gives me a side glace, a smirk on the edge of her lips. “I don’t know what you are implying,” she answers cooly.

“First up, Miss Fox and Gerald,” Henry calls out.

“Excuse me,” she states before walking with confidence to the chessboard.

She takes her place, as does Gerald. Henry gives the signal, and thirty-two men are marched out, all with masks covering their faces and cuffs around their hands and ankles.

With around twenty prison officers walking alongside them, rifles in their hands ready to shoot, if needed.

I look at Valentina and her face is set to stone, showing zero emotion.

Sixteen of the men are in white and the other sixteen in black, each of them with an image of their chess piece on their backs.

They stand in their starting squares, each with a collar around their neck, a small square piece flashing.

“Okay, you may begin,” Henry yells.

“Gerald was number one at college. He will destroy her,” Sherry beams.

I cross my arms and watch as the game starts, each of them taking their time, assessing each other.

Gerald strikes first, taking one of Valentina’s pawns.

A loud beeping noise sounds, followed by an explosion as Valentina’s pawn explodes, chunks of his flesh flying all over the other inmates.

I hear Valentina gasp and as I look to her, her eyes are wide.

She’s stunned. She swallows and quickly regains her composure, focusing on winning and taking out Gerald. Each time an opponent is taken out, the little device on their neck beeps, and then they explode.

“Bravo, Miss Fox!” Henry claps excitedly. “Only one more move and its Checkmate!” he cheers.

She does it, and the final guy of Gerald’s explodes. The final five men of her pieces all sigh with relief. I see the concern in her eyes as Henry walks over to her and takes her hand in his, raising it.

“Round one champion!” he cheers.

She gives him a tight smile before walking towards me. “Right, now for Edna and Sherry!” Henry calls.

Edna walks over and stands, glaring at Henry with pure hatred.

I instinctively grab Valentina’s hand in mine.

I don’t know why I do it. For show, for my own comfort?

Her body moves closer into me, and I release her hand and wrap my arm around her waist, holding her close.

She rests her forearms on my shoulder, threading her fingers through my short hair at the back of my neck, scraping her nails on my skin.

I look down at her, moving my hands to her back so I can feel her exposed soft skin. The move feels natural.

She looks down to the ground. “Who are they?” she asks on a whisper, so only I can hear.

“There is a maximum security prison about an hour away from here. The governor made a deal with Henry, so when the capacity is getting too much and there is overcrowding, it solves his problem, keeps his costs down, and Henry gets the entertainment he wants,” I tell her.

She gives a gentle nod. “Rapists, sex offenders, and murderers?” she asks.

I nod. “So we are told,” I state.

“Still doesn’t feel right,” she adds. “We don’t know their story. They could be wrongfully convicted,” she says in a sad tone.

“Believe what we are told. They are, and don’t let your mind wander down that route, or it will haunt you,” I tell her in reassurance.

I reach out and tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.

The action is far too familiar and personal.

She freezes and takes a step back. I shove my hands in my pockets, questioning why I did that in the first place.

She hates me and I hate her. This act we are having to put on is clearly messing with my fucking mind.

“Are you prepared to have your ass handed to you?” I ask, going back to our familiar territory. Immediately, the tension eases from her.

She crosses her arms and raises her brow. “I’ve never lost a game at chess. You are going down, O’Connor,” she threatens, fighting a smile.

As the afternoon draws to an end, it’s the final, and it’s me versus Valentina. She eyes me from her side of the board as the new prisoners are brought out. The shock of the event has clearly worn off.

“Well, well, well. The two lovers must now duel! Who will conquer?!” Henry cheers excitedly.

She starts first, playing it safe, her eyes always looking for the perfect execution. “E2 to E4,” she calls out, a smile playing on her lips. I mimic her move, both our pawns facing one another. “B1 to C3,” she calls out.

“D8 to F6,” I call out, both of our pieces diagonally squaring off to one another.

We continue to make our moves, but then she grins a devilish grin. “C4 takes E6.” Her pawn moves and mine explodes, the sound of blood and flesh scattering the other prisoners and floor. “Your move, O’Connor,” she goads.

“F7 takes E6.” I grin back as my pawn takes hers that she just moved. Another beep sounds, followed by an explosion as her pawn is annihilated. “Your turn, Sparky.” I wink.

She grins, biting down on her plump bottom lip, her face in concentration. “C1 to G5.”

“H7,” I call out, moving my pawn one space.

She paces back and forth watching, then her eyes alight. “G5 takes F6,” she says with a grin, and my knight explodes. I watch her through the shower of blood as it rains down on the board, her gaze pinned on mine.

“F6,” I call out, taking hers right out. Another explosion. We keep playing fast, toe to toe. I take out one of hers, then she takes out one of mine. That’s when I see it. She has me. Check fucking mate. I’ve lost, and yet I cannot stop fucking smiling.

“And we have a champion! Miss Valentina Fox!” Henry calls out. She doesn’t acknowledge him as her gaze is firmly fixed on mine, and if I’m not wrong, there is heat in her eyes.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s retreat to our rooms and prepare for tonight’s final night.

Our ball.” Henry grins. “Miss Fox, if you will come and collect your prize.” I move towards her to follow, but Henry holds up his hand.

“No need, Nyx. She is in safe hands,” he states, his eyes glaring at me in warning.

I give him a nod and head back towards the house. Looking over my shoulder, I see Valentina walking with Henry in the other direction towards the summer house.