Free Pawn by Aimée Carter

couldn’t tell the difference.
    My eyes widened as I caught sight of my chest, and my hands flew upward. “You gave me implants? ”
    In the mirrors I could see Knox struggling to keep a straight face. “ I didn’t do anything, and I doubt they’re implants. Those haven’t been done in years. Chances are they’re as real as your old ones.”
    I didn’t find that very comforting. “What was wrong with mine?”
    “They weren’t Lila’s.”
    “Yeah, but there wasn’t that much of a difference, was there? Who spends so much time staring at Lila’s chest that they’d notice?”
    Knox smirked. “Roughly half the population.”
    My face turned scarlet, and I was still trying to come up with some kind of retort when the doors glided open, flooding the elevator with sunlight.
    For a moment I thought I was imagining things. Clear blue sky stretched out before me, nothing like the smoggy skies of the District of Columbia, and white peaks loomed in the distance. Mountains.
    “This is the exit,” said Knox, wheeling me forward so we were close to the edge of the roof. The bitter wind whipped around me, but I was too dazed to worry about the cold. We were in a compound that seemed to be carved out of the mountain itself. When I stood on my shaky legs to look around, there were no towns or houses or anything in sight. Just the roof and snowy peaks.
    “You didn’t think we’d keep you in the city while we made the alterations, did you?” said a voice behind me. Daxton.
    He sauntered toward us, wearing a crisp black suit that made him look as if he’d come from some extravagant event. Behind him stood a jet with the Hart family crest stamped on the tail, and the air around it seemed to ripple from the heat of the engines.
    “Where are we?” I said, wishing my voice wasn’t trembling as much as my knees. I grabbed the rail to steady myself.
    “Somewhere no one will find you,” said Daxton, smiling as he removed his leather gloves. “The family calls it the Stronghold, and its location is quite secret. You understand.” He winked. “We thought this was the safest place for you until you’ve adjusted.”
    Until there was no chance I’d give away their game publicly, he meant. “How long will that be?”
    “That, my dear, is entirely up to you.” He unwound his scarf and stepped toward me. I flinched, but he gently wrapped it around my neck. “Wouldn’t want you to catch cold in this chill.”
    “I’ll take her back inside,” said Knox, and he touched my elbow. I stood my ground, refusing to let go of the frozen rail.
    “What do you want from me before I’m not your prisoner anymore?”
    “My dear,” said Daxton, his eyes wide with mock concern. “You’re not my prisoner. If you really wish to go, we won’t keep you here, but do understand that there will be consequences if you choose to leave.”
    Like a bullet with my name on it. “Yeah, I know.”
    Knox cleared his throat. “Sir, I believe she means how long she’s stuck here until she can take over for Lila.”
    Daxton’s lips curled upward into a leering smile. “Have you decided not to fight us after all? What pleasant news. Mother will be thrilled to hear it.”
    I dug my nails into the steel railing. “I’m not going to fight you. Tell me what I need to do to get out of this place, and I’ll do it.”
    Daxton cupped my cheek, his hand like fire in the icy wind. “I am so very happy to hear that, darling. I understand how difficult this must be for you, and we are all here to help you. I will have Knox and Celia begin working with you tomorrow. Only your progress will dictate how long it will take. I am hoping for a few weeks, but it will last as long as it must.”
    Unless I was hopeless. Then I had no doubt it would be easy enough to replace me.
    “When we’re certain you will pass muster, you will meet Mother,” he continued. “She will be the final judge.”
    I tightened my grip on the railing and tried not to sway. Nina