“Come on, Peanut. You’re my good luck charm today,” Dad says, grabbing my arm and pulling me over to a cards table, plopping me down in a deck chair beside him. A busty brunette deals out the cards and I use this opportunity to survey our surroundings. There’s a table of gourmet hors d'oeuvres and expensive champagne, as well as a couple stiff-backed waiters making the rounds with trays of croquettes. A vaguely European club beat is pounding from below deck, lending a further air of sleaze to the whole scene. Older men are flanked on both sides by beautiful women, left and right.
My heart sinks a little when I notice that we’re leaving the docks, heading out onto the deep blue bay. This looks to be some kind of pleasure cruise for gamblers — something right up my father’s alley, even if the decor and dress code are leagues higher than his usual fare.
And still… I don’t understand why I need to be here with him.
We spend the entire day out on the water, which I admit is almost nice in a cautious kind of way. I pile a plate with delicate little quiches and fritters, finally filling my stomach after so long without a solid meal. Of course, I do so with a heavy sense of guilt, knowing the twins are at home going hungry. I make a silent vow to myself to never let the household be empty of food ever again, even if it means having to steal.
In the evening, just as the sun is beginning to set, we pull back into the docks. Most of the people leave immediately, but my dad slithers an arm around my shoulders and says, “Time for us to go down below deck. There’s something I have to do.”
His tone is light, but I can detect something sinister lurking just below the surface. I’m instantly on guard, knowing that whatever my father has planned cannot be anything good. But he’s almost giddy as we walk down the steps into a stately room with classical music playing from a fancy stereo system. The furnishings are lush and velvety, a chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling. This place looks more like the inside of a swanky hotel room than the below deck of a boat, even one as elaborate as this.
A group of brutish-looking, burly men stand up from a round mahogany table when we enter the room, all of them eyeing me with a kind of ravenous awe. I swallow hard, fear gathering in my core. My heart races as my dad says, “I did what I was told. I got her here. Your guy is gonna hold up his end of the bargain, right? I need to be sure before I let my baby girl go.”
“What?” I burst out, pushing away from him. I feel sick to my stomach. What the hell does he mean, let me go?
Underneath his flippant attitude and the veil of drunkenness, there is a twinge of pain in my father’s eyes, and I know this is for real. This is not a joke. He is giving me away. But in what way?
One man steps forward from the group and looks me up and down with a critical expression. “I would have expected you to present her in a more, ah, appealing manner,” husks the man in a cruel voice. There’s a heavy Russian accent coloring his words.
“You sayin’ my girl ain’t pretty enough?” my dad says, bristling defensively.
“No, no, she is sufficient. But even a diamond may not shine if it is covered with dirt,” the man quips, clearly referring to the dowdy, shapeless flannel shirt that hangs down nearly to my knees.
“Oh, you mean the clothes? Well, this is really the best we got,” Dad remarks, shrugging. Then he reaches over and nudges me. “Take off that shirt, Peanut. Show ‘em what’s underneath.”
I stare at him, slack-jawed, for a long moment. I cannot believe what he’s asking of me. This has to be some kind of nightmare that I will wake up from any minute now. I know my father is a drunken, useless son of a bitch, but I never expected him to do something like this.
“Now, Rosalie!” he orders, taking an aggressive step toward me. I shrink away and immediately start to obey, unbuttoning my flannel shirt with shaking hands and letting it fall to the ground so that I’m standing before this group of strangers in my tight black leggings and threadbare sports bra. The leader of the group purses his lips and nods in apparent approval.
“She will certainly do,” he appraises, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Nice doing business with you, Mister Barnes. Now, get the hell out.”
“My debts are paid off?” my father asks.
The man rolls his eyes, regarding him with pure disgust. “Yes. In full. Leave.”
“You got it,” Dad replies, with a flourish and a bow. He gives me a nod as he turns to leave, his final words to me falling limply from his mouth: “Be good, Peanut. Daddy’s sorry.”
“No!” I shout, running after him as he disappears up the stairs to the top deck. But two of the men rush forward and grab my arms, holding me in place while I scream in horror.
“Be quiet. The deal is done,” commands the leader.
“Please, there has to be something else I can do — I need to go home — there are two little girls who need me,” I plead, tears burning in my eyes. “How long do I have to stay here? They’re hungry and alone! You have to let me go, please!”
“Want me to shut her up, boss?” growls the man on my right.
“We can soften her up for the client, break her in a little,” offers the man on my left.
The leader shakes his head. “No, no. She must be kept in pristine condition for the Bull. He will want her untouched, for certain. You know how it is. Some men like their jewels polished and set, but others prefer a diamond in the rough.”
“Who is the Bull?” I ask, tears coursing down my cheeks.
The leader looks back at me as he walks away to make a call on his cell phone, giving me an almost bemused expression. “Ah, the bitch is eager. But you will find out soon enough.”
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Also by the Author
Anthology:
Begging for Bad Boys
Romantic Suspense:
Alexis Abbott’s Hitmen Series:
Owned by the Hitman
Sold to the Hitman
Saved by the Hitman
Captive of the Hitman
Stolen from the Hitman
Hostage of the Hitman
Taken by the Hitman
Other:
Criminal
Ruthless
Romance:
Falling for her Boss (Novella)
Most Wanted: Lilly (Novella)
Erotic Thriller:
The Dangerous Men Series:
The Narrow Path
Strayed from the Path
Path to Ruin
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Sights on the SEAL: A Secret Baby Romance Page 53