Page 30 of Reclaimed

"Yeah," I murmur absentmindedly, swiping a hand over my chin as he heads for the kitchen. My focus quickly shifts back to my phone as I click into Jersey’s profile.

Jesus.

The network facilitation shows there's 52GB of new files available. There's a link to every evaluation, as well as medical and disciplinary reports dating all the way back to the day they labeled her A311. Guardianship Deeds, Property Insurance Policies… even a link to Commander Martin's Auction Affiliate profile. That includes breakdowns of his financials, applications, employment records and–

I frown at my screen.

Tax Exemptions and Rebates for Asset Ownership?

This place is so goddamn twisted it's not even funny.

I've been inside files of bastards with some of the highest clearances in Northbrooke, but never into anyone's Affiliate profile. I just know that if I start digging now, every reprehensible thing I learn about will only shove me closer to the edge until torturing a corpse doesn't do shit for my endorphins.

Grumbling in annoyance, I swipe my thumb across the screen, returning to the main page of her file. The corner of my mouth twitches in sync with my dick as her picture stares back at me in defiance.

Should've torn into that cunt while I had her lips turning blue.

Fuck, I need to bury myself in some bitch’s throat.

Or maybe more sleep.

Hell, probably both.

I tap in and out of links until I find her latest files. The property surrender form I signed is mixed in with her visual medical inspection, shift transfers, and staff notes. There are sections left blank and flagged for review due to incidents or attitude, breakdowns of her blood panels, and finally, her preliminary appraisal.

"Here," Slade says, passing me a beer as he returns to his computer, keys clicking beneath his fingers.

"Do you want to keep drinking this overhyped shit, or go run up my tab at Eleventh House later?" I ask, swallowing a mouthful.

"It's not overhyped," Slade scoffs. "It's artisanal."

My eyes flick towards his desk and I cock a brow.

"And my dad buys it by the truckload, so it's also free." Slade raises his bottle in a half-assed toast. "Cheers."

"You're fucking ridiculous."

"Nah, but I've got to monitor one of Sergei's betting terminals for a scammer. He wants them delivered in pieces to his place in Turks and Caicos by morning."

I narrow my eyes. "To do what with?"

"Dunno," he shrugs. "And as long as he keeps paying my retainer, I don't give a shit."

"Missed opportunity." I shake my head, rolling the neck of the bottle between my fingers. "Could keep him alive and feed him to the sharks piece by piece."

Slade snorts. "Not everyone is as big of a connoisseur of carnage as your deranged ass."

"Compliment me all you want," I point the beer bottle at him, "but your hand’s not coming near my ass."

"Bruh, you wish I was willing," he chuckles, still muttering as he swivels back to face his computer. "These hands should be insured for the raw talent they possess in and out of the bedroom."

I roll my eyes and resume reading the report. Each part of Jersey’s body is broken down with ratings or referrals. There are notes for different avenues of consideration for placement, further mental reviews scheduled, and a suggestion for a clandestine bidding class due to a prominent disfiguration of the abdomen.

Curiosity has me scrolling towards the pictures. I expect to find a close-up of some gnarly scar, but instead, the media icon is a full-body shot of her stripped bare in a sterile medical suite. My first instinct is to find that photo and zoom in on those perky little tits she was hiding beneath her hoodie, but when the album loads in full screen, I see a fresh bruise staining the entire right side of her creamy torso.

I didn’t put that one there.

The muscle in my jaw flexes as I pan up to her throat, pleasantly surprised to see the outline of my fingers still imprinted on her skin. I swipe through the rest of the photos, finally coming upon one at the end labeled 'disfigurement' with a red arrow pointing to a small puckered scar near her belly button.