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Torian
I lean against the hood of my father’s car, Luca next to me, both of us waiting.
It’s been five minutes since we walked outside, the time passing like an eternity as I glare at the front doors of the mansion.
“I’m going back in.” Luca pushes from the car.
“No.” I keep my focus on those doors, despising every second Luther remains inside. “It’s fucking stupid to attempt saving her when we still don’t know who she is, and it’s obvious Luther isn’t going to kill his prized possession.”
“Sometimes death isn’t the worst punishment,” he snarls.
I know.
I fucking know.
But going in there to retaliate when our guns remain locked in the car will endanger the other women, too. Along with Tobias.
“She’s survived this long.” I shove from the hood and move to stand in front of him. “She’s strong. A little while longer won’t change her position.”
He glares at me—glares right through me—until the sound of the front door opening has us both pivoting to watch my father and Chris walk outside.
“Sorry for the delay. I got stuck on a call.” My father doesn’t show an ounce of concern as he stalks for the car, and we all claim our previous positions in the vehicle.
We don’t talk about what happened. The only reminder is Luca’s hatred, which thickens in the air around us.
We’re at the end of the street when Luther breaks the silence and starts telling me about the profound success of his business. He throws figures at me. Large numbers. Impressive stats.
I play along, acting interested in his scheme, pretending I’m considering taking a piece of the pie, while the hunger for retribution builds in my blood.
“My success has been built on trust. I’m known for my discretion. That’s why the majority of my income is repeat business.” He pivots his body to face me. “When I host parties, I don’t just mingle among my clients. I participate. Not only for my own gratification, but to reassure my paying customers their actions aren’t going to come with consequences.”
I frown, feigning confusion when his perversions are crystal clear. “You openly indulge in the activities so everyone in attendance knows you’re confident nobody will get caught?”
The strategy is business savvy. If only he didn’t enjoy every vile fucking minute of it.
“It’s more than that. They see me enjoying myself and understand they’re among like-minded people. They’re free from judgment.” He waves a hand toward his window, indicating the pristine waters. “Solicitation is legal here. Pussy is easy to buy. But that’s not what men are looking for. They want power and the ability to express their God-given instincts. These women provide that opportunity. Without restriction.”
“None at all?” I raise a brow. “I’m assuming some of them have extravagant taste.”
“Almost all of them do. There’s a preference for young girls among the newer clients. And those who’ve been around longer tend to be sadists. Some even pay for the luxury of necrophilia.”
“And you provide whatever they want?”
“There hasn’t been a request I’ve denied.”
I focus on the road, the quiet seeping under my skin. My father holds no shame for his actions. He doesn’t care how Luca is now privy to his perversions. But I do. I despise the thought of anyone knowing what this man has done. What my own flesh and blood delights in. “I bet you’ve earned quite a reputation.”
“True.” His face breaks out in smug satisfaction. “I like to experience my clients desires firsthand. So whenever there’s a new request, I always try it for myself.”
I keep my focus out the window. I do everything in my power not to let my expression waiver. I play pretend like a fucking pro, holding my need for revenge so fucking tight all my muscles ache in protest.
I try not to picture his crimes, and fail.
I’m consumed with revulsion.
His sins are a disgusting taint on my mother’s memory. So much so that the grief feels like I’m losing her all over again.
“Which brings me back to the conversation I brought up at the house.” Luther relaxes into his seat. “Before we dive any deeper into discussions of a partnership, I want to see you with this shiny new toy of yours. I need to make sure you’re fit for this lifestyle.”
“See me with her?” I can’t hold back the disgust from my voice.
“My clients need to trust you. They’ll want confirmation you’re one of them.”
I clench my teeth, my fists, my muscles.
“It’s not an issue, is it?” He eyes me with impatience. “We can sort this out today.”
“That’s not going to happen.” My refusal holds too much anger. I can’t rein it in.
“What’s the harm?”
“The harm?” I grasp for a fucking tactic, scrambling to deflect this bullshit whatever way possible. “As far as I’m concerned, this is a business opportunity. One that shouldn’t depend on the way I treat my toys.”
“Normally, I would agree.” His ageing face tightens with a myriad of wrinkles. “But my recent arrest is a blatant example of why I need likeminded people on my team. I can’t risk trusting those who don’t believe in my vision.”
His vision? Of what? Female slavery?
He’s lost his fucking mind.
“You don’t trust me?” I seethe. “I didn’t need to be a fucking addict to help you run the multi-million-dollar drug empire. Why the hell would you put restrictions on me now? Is this a test? Or maybe an attempt to push me away so you don’t feel guilty distancing yourself even more from a family you no longer care about?” I throw the verbal punch as hard as I can, hoping to deflect attention away from Anissa. “Admit you’re cutting us off. Have the balls to fucking say your adult children are out of the—”
“Stop being dramatic.” He scowls, his lips pinching.
I can’t stop. There’s no peace to be found in this war zone. All I can do is glare at my father, wondering who the hell he’s become.
“My answer is no.” I hold his gaze, staring him down. “I don’t have to earn your trust or prove myself. If a lifetime of servitude isn’t enough, you can drive us straight to the fucking jetty and we’ll be on our merry way.”
He doesn’t respond. Not in words.
Instead, he turns his judgmental focus out the window as Chris continues along narrow streets lined with more expensive houses.
I seethe in silence, my frustration and concern growing the longer I remain in the shrinking space.
My father won’t give up. Not easily. He never does.
He’ll want another round of negotiations. He won’t stop until he gets his prize, which means I have to get Anissa back to the States before he grows tired of asking and transitions into taking.
I should call her and make arrangements for her immediate return home. The pilots are on standby. I can get a boat to pick her up. Hunt could meet her when she lands. He would escort her to my house, where she would stay until I have the opportunity to mold her story into what I need it to be to appease her fellow agents.
The lack of control is the only thing stopping me.
I want to see her board the jet. I don’t like the thought of her travelling on her own.
“We’re almost there.” My father taps on his window, pointing farther along the street to another gated property. “We can discuss this inside.”
“No, we’re done with this discussion.” I mark my line in the sand. “I’m too hungover for this shit. Either tell me to leave or quit with the domineering bullshit.”
He smiles at me, the expression far from comforting. “You’re right. We’ll find another way to prove your loyalty to my clients.”