The Fortunates (Unfortunates #2) Read Online Free

in his hand as he approached Nine. It was dense and sharp in places, too rough for her soft skin. Swallowing again, Kade brought himself to a stop in front of her. Nine’s tiny body trembled, her knees struggling to hold her own weight. Her grey tunic was torn in places and darkened with dirt. He’d sent Portia to take fresh clothes and blankets to Nine regularly, but she was turned away every time. None of that mattered to Nine though…because he’d failed her.
    Without a word, he circled her and chained her wrists around the post. She didn’t look at him even when he was finished and it hurt him more than any punishment he’d ever received.
    He strolled around to face her and others watched, it didn’t matter anymore. Whispers swirled around them, but they lacked the punch they usually did. He hooked his index finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him. It didn’t matter to him that she was filthy. It didn’t matter that she had dry, cracked lips or puffy, dark rims around her eyes because underneath all of the dry mud and smears of dirt he saw her . His heart wrenched in his chest when her light violet eyes met his. He feared what he didn’t see. He didn’t see regret or uncertainty. He saw acceptance…and contentment…he saw his heart smashing into sharp shards of never-ending pain.
    “I love you,” he whispered.
    And still her stare didn’t change.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     

     
    Nine
     
    His smell is bliss. It’s all of the things I’ve grown to like about this world rolled into one. In some nonsensical way, it reminds me of lush green grass, clear blue skies, and fluffy white clouds. His smell is happiness—something I’ve only truly felt whenever I’m with him. I told him I loved him not so long ago. It was a declaration I made out of desperation—like he has done just now. His three words roll off my skin, failing to absorb and hit me where they should. What did he say to me when I told him I loved him? “ I can’t love you, Nine. ”
    It’s funny how things work. I blink, pulling myself from my own head and focusing on his concerned gaze. He has beautiful black eyes…When light hits them from the right angle, they light up like the sky at night. I wonder if he knows that. I wonder if anyone has looked at him long enough to notice. I doubt he’d let anyone, even if they wanted to.
    Maybe he’s telling the truth. Maybe he does love me, but a whisper is hardly convincing.
    Vince’s loud, hoarse voice is background noise to the sound of my thudding heart. At least it still works.
    “You should go,” I croak, pulling against my chain. “People are staring.”
    I wince as sharp bits of metal cut the sensitive flesh on my wrists.
    “You think I care how they see me?”
    His soft fingers fall from my face and my chin drops to my chest. I grunt, my limbs trembling under my own weight. Still, even in my depleted state, I manage to hold myself up. It might not mean anything to a Fortunate, but to stand on my own two feet, when all I want to do is curl up into a ball and cry, means the world to me. A subtle act of defiance in my last moment. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I lift my face, angling it up so my eyes lock with his and I manage a shrug.
    “You care too much, Fortunate .”
    His irises darken as his eyes grow thin. Warning flares in every one of his features and noticeably tightens his body. His offense reaches the tips of his fingers, curling them into frustrated fists.
    “Go awa—”
    His mouth crashes to mine and the collective gasps of everyone around us fades as the rapid slam of my heart against my ribs becomes the dominant sound. It thumps in my ears and pounds my brain. His damp lips moisten mine and the pain from the cracks subsides. In that moment, a sudden panic overtakes me, taking up space in my lungs. Caught up in the moment, caught up in the only person who loves me for who I am, I no longer want to die.
    He pulls away and the pain