Broken: Round One (Broken #1) Read online

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

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  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Contact the Author