Broken: Round One (Broken #1) (16 page)
Read Broken: Round One (Broken #1) Online
Authors: Skyla Madi
“I don’t know what was wrong with her … maybe she drank too much last night, or maybe she ate some bad food.”
“Maybe.”
I frown, unsure of the tone he’s used. For someone who cares if I win or lose, he certainly isn’t counting what happened this morning as a miracle. My first opponent falls ill the day we’re meant to fight and not once has he called me ‘lucky’. It doesn’t sit right with me.
“You’re not shocked?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.
“What do you want me to say? She got sick. Shit happens.”
No. I’m not buying it. “You know something, don’t you?”
He opens his mouth and I gasp, fitting all of the pieces together. I feel sick … I feel … I don’t know how I feel. My brain is unable to comprehend the act I’m about to accuse Jai of.
“You did something, didn’t you?”
Jai leans back on his hands, completely unfazed by my accusation. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to.”
I push off my bed and my organs finally decide to implode from all of the stress. I rake my fingers through my hair as tears gush from my eyes and I sob. I sob so fucking hard. I can’t handle this. I can’t live this life—the fighting, the cheating, the killing—it’s too much.
“That poor woman,” I cry, pulling at my hair as I pace the small area. “I cheated her. I cheated her out of her money, out of her spot here.”
Jai rises to his feet. “You didn’t cheat her out of anything. You played the game and you won.”
I snap my head in his direction and point a sharp finger. “You played the game for me! I never would’ve hurt someone for my own personal gain. Not ever!”
His jaw tightens and his blue eyes flare. “That’s why I did it for you. I knew your conscience couldn’t handle it. There are things we need to do here, Kitten, and I need your help.” His attention flicks to my tattoo before coming back to my face. “You’re in with Skull now. You’re in the perfect position to help me.”
I shake my head, sniffling, and trying to slow down the tears. “I don’t give a shit about Skull or your plan.”
I stuff my hand into my back pocket and pull out the dense roll of cash Skull gave me for winning my fight. I’ve never had money I didn’t want before. Or at least, I didn’t until now. It feels too heavy in my hands. It doesn’t feel like it should. As I look at it, the tears stop.
“How’d you do it?” I ask, keeping my eyes on the money. “How’d you incapacitate the woman?”
“I told you. Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers—”
“How?” I demand, squeezing the cash in my hand.
“I bought some Tramadol off Marcus and I crushed it up and poured it into her water.”
Tramadol. All of the stuff I learned on the narcotic springs to mine. It’s a narcotic-like pain reliever used to treat moderate to severe pain. It’s used for around the clock treatment, not ‘as needed’.
“Do you know how strong Tramadol is?” I ask, curious.
I mean, it’s not hardcore like morphine, but it’s a hell of a lot stronger than Tylenol.
Jai shakes his head. “You’re the nurse, not me.”
“They specifically ask you not to crush, break, or open an extended-release pill to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose.” I rub my forehead. “You don’t know her medical history. There’s a long list of things that need to be ticked off before a doctor even prescribes it to a patient. It’s dangerous.”
From what I can recall, weak or shallow breathing, fever, fast heart rate, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination and a few other symptoms are all warnings of an overdose. In the cage, her body wasn’t handling it well.
“She could be dead,” I announce, my eyes widening.
“She’s a little beat up, but that’s the extent of it. I watched her leave. She’s otherwise okay, Emily.”
But that’s not the point, is it? It’s the principle. Both Skull and Jai are using me to further their plans. Both of them do things without my permission—without my knowledge. It’s not okay. I step forward and shove my money at Jai’s large chest. He looks down at it, but refuses to take it from me.
“I told you I don’t want the money.”
Our eyes lock.
“You think I do?” I nudge him with it. “Either you take it or I throw it over the ledge.”
Reluctantly, he takes the money and I turn away from him.
“Where are you going?” he calls after me, but I ignore him.
If I’m going to survive here, I’ll do it on my own terms.
I’ll find my own room.
I’ll train myself.
I’ll avoid Skull and Jai at all costs.
Both of them are twisted and both of them are master manipulators. Neither can be trusted. I am the only person I can trust. I want excitement and I want to experience the unknown, but not at the cost Jai and Skull are asking for.
I don’t know much, but there’s one thing I know for certain. Win or lose, I’m getting out of here when I’m finished with round two.
A massive thank you to my husband and my daughter for being patient with me—as always.
To my immediate family members who respected the time I took to get this done. I know I lock myself in my office when you lot visit, but I really do appreciate your patience.
To my girls in TGNAFN, your advice and support speaks volumes to me. I love each and every one of you. I don’t think I’d be able to do this self-pub thing without you.
To my editor, Lauren McKeller, I LOVE you. I really do. Thanks for making my first self-pub project a breeze and for slipping me in at last minute. I’m so grateful.
Thank you to each and every person who helped me with Broken. I appreciate it beyond words!
SKYLA MADI
is an Australian writer from Brisbane, Queensland.
Skyla started her writing career fresh out of high school and at 21 she is a giver of both real and fictional life.
She is an aquarian, lover of the written word and author of the #1 BESTSELLING Consumed trilogy.
Skyla LOVES to hear from readers! Here are some of ways to get into
contact with her:
TWITTER
: @Skyla_madi
All other inquires (such as publishing rights) that require the author’s immediate attention can be forwarded to:
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