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Keira
“No.” I push to my feet, only to be dragged back down by the ties binding my arms to the seat. “You’re lying.”
“Is that guilt I see in your eyes?” He clucks his tongue. “Silly me. I’d convinced myself you knew nothing about the human trafficking.”
“What you see in my eyes is disgust. For you.” I’ve hated my uncle for years. Despised him. But I won’t believe he’s capable of this. I refuse. “You’re digging for evidence. And it’s not going to work. You won’t turn me against my family. Especially not with far-fetched stories.”
“You want proof?” He remains on the table, the sides of his feet pressing tight against my thighs. “Should I show you the names of the girls in this state who’ve gone missing over the last few years and how the Torian name can be linked to more than a third of them?”
My heart stops. “All. Lies.”
“I can tell you exactly how it happens. I know every move that’s made.” He leans closer. “Your uncle claims to be a bigshot movie producer, or the owner of a modeling agency, or whatever else his victim needs to reach their dreams. He fawns over his targets, making them feel special as he promises them the world. He takes them to fancy restaurants, buys them expensive clothes, then clinches the deal with an overseas trip which is supposed to mark the start of their career. That’s when your daddy takes over.”
My father?
My stomach revolts, twisting and turning.
My dad started a modeling agency years ago. It was a hobby, a ‘bit of fun on the side,’ he’d told me. I’d even designed his website with images he’d contracted from an overseas photographer. “I don’t believe you.”
He shrugs. “It’s a little late to claim that when I’m already convinced you’re involved.”
“No.” I shake my head. “You’re wrong. About all of us.”
“The case is closed on your dad and uncle, pumpkin. There’s no question about it.”
“Then why haven’t they been arrested?” I raise a brow, trying to convince myself of their i
He frowns at me as if I’m stupid. “Maybe because dear ol’ dad has been hiding out in another country. And Uncle Dick is practically a part of the produce section.”
“No, no, no.” I keep shaking my head. “Why are you doing this? Is it for money? Is that what the authorities are giving you?”
“I didn’t snitch for greed. I did it for me. For the pleasure of your demise. There’s no game show prize waiting for me at the end of this. Only the thrill of seeing you all rot in prison like you deserve.”
My heart clenches, the erratic beats painful. I don’t understand. I don’t want to.
“Come on, Keira. It’s bad enough that you say you’re not involved, but to pretend you didn’t know, or your family is incapable, is an insult.” He gives me a condescending smile. “It’s not like you guys have ever been on the right side of the law.”
“If I knew, I would never let that happen. Me, of all people, would never ever, let that happen.”
“You, of all people?” His words drip with condescension.
“Yes. Me, of all people.”
“Oh.” He rolls his eyes. “Because of your traumatic sexual past, right?”
My eyes blaze in fury. I hadn’t lied about my history despite his theory of this being a game.
I’d wanted to tell him more. So much more. All my secrets had been his to own. But I’d needed to test him first. I had no choice in sharing the story about my father’s death. It was the quickest way to see if he was loyal. Honest. I knew a revelation as monumental as the mighty Luther Torian’s passing would either be spread in an instant, or held tight because of our co
I didn’t want to delay my feelings for him.
I didn’t want to draw out the trial.
I had to prove I was right about Sebastian, and I didn’t care how that happened as long as it happened quickly.
But it turns out Cole had been right all along.
My brother’s suspicions were on point, and now I can only assume the damage caused if Sebastian has circulated the lie.
I blink through the anger burning in my eyes, and a heated trail slides down my cheek. He watches the path of the lone tear, seeming mesmerized, until I swipe it away with my shoulder.
“That’s fucking brilliant,” he whispers in awe. “You’re a seductress and the most flawless actress all rolled into one.”
“Stop it.” I scream and tug at my bindings.
“Are you crying because you think it will fool me? Or is it because you know you’re going to get locked up for a very, very long time?” He leans close, getting in my face. “Don’t worry. You’re one of the pretty ones. I’m sure you’ll make a good little bitch.”
I hold his gaze, ignoring the blur in my vision as I force myself not to blink. “I had no clue.” I lean forward, showing him I’m not scared. I’m not daunted. “I only lied to you about my father because I was falling for you. Because I cared about you. You’re the one who betrayed me.”
I don’t recognize him anymore. I don’t even recognize my own voice.
My vision continues to blur, but it’s not just from building tears. It’s from the manic hysteria I’m trying to hold in. My heart beats wildly. My chest is so heavy I can barely breathe.
I become lost down a rabbit hole of mental anguish. My demons haunt me. My history crucifies me.
I hyperventilate, my throat punishingly tight. My face is on fire. My heart, my lungs, my everything pounds and squeezes hard enough to kill me. I can’t think past the horror. I can’t see through the images my mind conjures of all those tortured women.
“Keira.” He scowls, his face growing shadowed, the edges of my vision darkening. “Keira.” He shakes me, pushing back a small part of the overwhelming tide of emotion. “Cut the crap. I’m not falling for your shit.”
My throat clogs with revulsion. “How many—” I croak. “How many women?”
“Who knows. It’s a lucrative business. Your father knows how to cover his tracks.” His expression hardens. “It could be hundreds. Maybe thousands.”
Bile rushes into my mouth, and I swallow to bite back the need to purge. I know what it’s like to be physically manipulated, for my body to be used. I know, and it fills me with blinding…everything. Sorrow. Fury. Fear.
“They always make sure those women leave the country of their own free will. Happy and fucking eager to please. And they actually follow through with the photo shoots. But not until after they’ve lived it up with booze, sex, and drugs. Lots of pictures are taken of that, too. And always uploaded to social media. That’s how the corrupt cops in foreign countries can tell the families back home that the women went off the rails due to addiction or poor decisions.”
I suck in lungfuls of breath, trying to push through the pummeling nausea. “I’m going to be sick.”
He scoffs. “Do you think I care?”
His sterility makes my anguish ten times worse. I’m not the person he thinks I am. I’m not that type of monster.
I try to stand again, only to fall back in place under the restricting ties. Heat consumes my throat and mouth. I crane my neck to the side and tilt my face away. I lean as far as my bindings allow and retch the toxic sludge in heaving waves.
“Jesus Christ.” Sebastian shoves from the table.
I continue to vomit the contents of my stomach. Tears follow, streaking my cheeks, staining my soul. I don’t stop until my belly is empty. Then I wipe my mouth on my shoulder and hang my head as I sob.
“Quit it,” he growls.
“I didn’t know.” My lips tremble as I turn my face toward him. “I swear.”