Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 69398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
I swallow and nod. “I know where she is.”
“Then let’s go and find her,” Briella says.
“It’s not that easy,” I say. “Firstly, we can’t take kids there. Secondly ... it’s, ah, an eye opener.”
“Care to tell us what you’re talking about?”
There was a club Bryant used to own. Outside of the house, it was the only place he’d take us regularly. We’d sit in his office as he’d conduct business, and we’d watch and learn as he ran that place with an iron fist. The people he owned it with, I imagine would still be there, and Cova knows those people. They know her. If she’s looking for answers, they’re the ones who will give it to her.
“It’s a sex club,” I say, quietly. Not wanting the boys to hear. “Bryant owned it. It’s not a trashy club, like you’re thinking. It’s more ... elite. Expensive rooms, expensive girls, you pay for the very best and you get it. We spent a lot of time there.”
Bohdi’s eyes swing to mine, and a flicker of something crosses them.
“You ever have to work there?” Alarick asks, his voice rough.
I shake my head. “No.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“Not that I can think of, but a group of bikers rushing in might raise some concern. If I were you, I’d probably change.”
Alarick’s jaw ticks, but he nods sharply. “Then let’s go and check into our rooms. I’m certain it doesn’t open until later tonight anyway, am I right?”
“Yeah,” I nod.
“Oh good, I could use a nap and a shower,” Isla says, hooking her arm through Bohdi’s and leaning her head on his shoulder. “What about you, babe?”
He doesn’t take his eyes off me.
I turn before I can hear his answer.
I can’t hear his answer.
Hell, I can’t be here a second longer.
I just can’t.
“WE COULD BE SOMEWHERE else, Cova. Somewhere away from here,” I say to the only other person in this world I can talk to right now.
Now that we’re in this dungeon. This prison. This place where there is no escape. I don’t want to go back to the streets, to the horrors I left behind there, but I’m not sure I want to be here forever either. As his slave. If we do what he asks, then he’s good to us, but if we don’t ...
Maybe there is life beyond these walls.
Maybe ...
“I don’t want to be anywhere else,” Cova says, sweeping the corners of the room with a brand new, expensive broom that she got, because she asked for it.
He likes her.
If I had asked for it, he would have beaten me.
He would have made me work.
He would have withheld food, or worse, drugs.
“We could go together, get a job, and ...”
“And what?” she asks, looking up. “You think we can work, afford drugs and food and a roof over our heads on our own? We have no experience. We have nothing to give employers. We’ll end up back on the streets. Stop acting like we have other options, Merleigh. We don’t.”
I grit my teeth, forcing my words back.
I know she’s right, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt to hear it.
I’m only young, being here forever is ... terrifying.
Cova glares at me, and then continues to work, her feet shuffling across the floor as she sweeps.
I get back to work, my mind way too clear today. He hasn’t given us anything for a few days, and because of that, I’m feeling flighty and desperate. I’m agitated and my head hurts. Is he holding back on purpose? Cova seems fine. Has he taken anything from her? Or is it just me?
“There you two are.”
I glance over to see Bryant standing in the doorway, suit on, cigar in hand. His eyes go right to Cova, like they always do.
“How much longer until we’re done here?” Cova asks. “It’s hot, and Merleigh is too busy talking to help.”
My eyes widen, so do hers when she realizes what she’s said. She didn’t mean to call me out, it just came out, but now she understands that her words are going to cause serious punishment for me.
“I mean, we’re both talking,” she says quickly, but it’s too late.
“Don’t worry, I’ve heard the entire conversation,” Bryant says, his voice low and steady. “Merleigh, come with me please.”
I stare frantically at Cova, and she looks scared for me.
“Don’t be angry at her, Bryant. Please. We were just having a conversation.”
“About leaving me,” he growls. “About taking what I own. I won’t have conversations like that under my roof. Merleigh, come here.”
I stand, feet firmly planted on the ground. Not because I’m defiant, but because I’m too terrified to move.
“Now,” Bryant orders.
“I didn’t mean it,” I say softly. “I just ... I was just thinking out loud and ...”
“You have one second to be in front of me or you’ll suffer.”