chapter978

Luke didn't stand a chance. The kick hit him hard and sent him crashing to the

ground. His chest seized up, tight and breathless. The sharp, metallic taste of blood filled his mouth, and he coughed it out in a hot, red spray.

"Luke!"

"Luke!"

Grant and Coco both looked terrified. They rushed over, desperate to help him. But the two guards were faster. Each one grabbed a kid, yanking them back. "Stay still! Move again and I'll shoot him in the head!"

Luke tried to get up, but his body wouldn't listen. The pain was too much.

Coco's eyes filled with tears. She cried out, voice shaking, I'll be good! I'll do whatever you say! Please, just don't hit Luke anymore!"

The guard snorted, clearly pleased with her fear. See? That's better." His eyes roamed over Coco, slow and greedy, and his lips curled into a disgusting grin. "Such a pretty little thing. You will bring in a good price tonight."

All the other women in the room heard him. Fear pinned them in place, and nobody dared to even breathe too loudly. A good price? What were these men planning to do to them?

Coco was shaking. She was only eight, too young to fully understand, but she could sense the danger. Still, she gathered every scrap of courage she had and pleaded again, I'll listen, I promise. Please don't hurt Luke anymore. Luke had protected her all this time. Now it was her turn to protect him.

Luke lay on the ground, blood smeared along his lips, struggling to catch his breath. He glared up at the guards, rage burning in his eyes. "She's eight years old. You're monsters."

The first guard snapped, "Still got a mouth, huh?" and kicked him again. Another burst of blood spilled from Luke's lips.

The second guard tugged his partner's arm and whispered, "Enough, Dillan. He's high value. Boss said to keep him in good shape. Don't mess up his kidney, or they can't do the transplant. We'll be in big trouble."

Luke heard it all. His head spun. They wanted his kidney? He only had one. If they took it, he'd have nothing left. He'd heard the stories, how people like this put a price tag on every part of your body, he just never thought he'd end up here, that his kidney was what they wanted.

Dillan glared at him, furious. "I hate guys like you. Always trying to act tough."

"Enough. Let's get the girls ready.

The buyers want them tonight." The other guard started herding the women together Fear rippled through the whole group. Nobody tried to fight back. They'd seen what happened to Luke.

Coco was about to be dragged away when, out of nowhere, Luke pushed himself off the ground. Somehow, he found the strength to slam int

Dillane pocket

He

grabbed Goco and hid her behind him, standing between her and the guards.

"Don't touch her," he said, voice raw and shaking.

Coco clung to his shirt, trembling. She was sweet and brave and so, so young. Luke couldn't let them hurt her. He just couldn't.

Dillan lost it. He jammed his weapon right up to Luke's forehead. "You think I won't pull the trigger?"

Luke smirked, a broken little smile. "Go ahead. Do it."

"You want to die that bad?" Dillan snapped, swinging his foot at Luke again.

But this time, Luke twisted away, just in time.