I hear a knock on the door. I try to concentrate on the men’s voices I can hear, but I can’t make out any of their words. I hear the lock on the door turn; my heart hammers and I start chewing on my bottom lip. Don’t cry, Kailee.
I open my eyes, my gaze fixed on my trembling hands.
“Kailee…” his voice calls me.
I jump up from my seat. My eyes land on his face, and bile rises instantly, coating the back of my throat.
“Jax,” I respond, my eyes raking over his face and body. A wolfish grin spreads across his face.
“Wow,” he mouths; his eyes light up as he takes in my nearly naked body. “So glad I got a taste before we had to bring you here.”
I gag, almost ready to throw up, but instead, I find the energy to charge at him. “How could you? How could you do this to me,” I scream, my clenched fists hitting him over and over. He brings his arms up, protecting his face from my onslaught.
“Stop,” he yells, suddenly gripping my wrists, restraining me. “It was always the plan, princess. I was just hired to keep you sweet. Can’t say I didn’t enjoy it while it lasted.” He cocks a brow, and I’m enraged once again. I pull on my wrists, struggling to get him to loosen his hold on me. I kick my legs forward, connecting with his thigh.
“You vile piece of worthless shit,” I yell back. “You’re sick. You’re both sick.”
“Both?” he quizzes, his eyes narrowing on me.
“You and Eric. You’re in on this together, aren’t you?”
“You aren’t the first, and you won’t be our last.” He laughs. “We’re set to make some serious money here today.”
“And my father? Does he know what you’re doing to me?”
“Enough with all the questions.” He drops my wrist, grasping my jaw with his hand.
“No,” I mumble, his hold impairing my ability to speak clearly. I struggle and finally snap my head out of his hold. “You don’t get to tell me what to do, Jax,” I say, my voice full of venom and deep rooted hatred.
He laughs loudly. “I think you’ll find I do. I call the shots here, princess, not you.”
Ryder
“It’s a fuckin’ what?” I screech, my brain unable to process the shit flying from his mouth.
“Don’t shoot the messenger, man.” He holds up his hands as if scared to continue.
“You have to be wrong. This has to be a mistake,” I say, pacing back and forth, forcing my shaking hands through the thick of my hair.
“I’ve been there before,” he says quietly as if scared by his own admission.
“You’ve been… but why?” I hiss, not sure I want to know the answer.
“You remember Fran, right?”
I nod, my eyes pinned on him, waiting for a reasonable goddamn explanation.
“Well, I, uh, purchased her from that very same auction,” he all but whispers.
I slam my hands down on the table in front of him, causing him to jump back in his seat.
“Why the fuck would you need to buy a girl to work for you? I don’t get it. You’d better have a pretty good fucking explanation,” I roar.
I reach inside my waistband, ready to blow this motherfucker’s head off if he makes one wrong move. His eyes follow my hand.
“I haven’t hurt her, Ryder. But I needed to buy her for the silence. Any normal employee would be free to leave, and everything I’ve worked hard to build up could come shattering down around me.”
His voice is taut, and the twitch in his eyes reveals his fear.
But I can’t stop thinking about pip. What the fuck would they want with her?
“I know it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s common practice for our kind.”
“Our kind?” I yell. “Do not include me in your sick fucking reasoning. I would never do something like that.”
“Because Ryder, behind that harsh façade is a good guy.”
“Bull-fucking-shit,” I retort. “I’ve killed people and felt no remorse. Don’t make out like I’m some pussy with feelings. That’s not how it works, man. You clearly don’t know me as well as you thought.”
“These auctions are safe places to buy staff. To own someone who works for you with no danger of them running off and revealing what actually happens beyond what we allow people to see.”
I let out a growl of frustration. I understand what he’s saying and accept his explanation. But it’s not right. It’s so fucking wrong.
“Man, this is fucked up.” I scrape my hands down my face; my heart beating like it’s about to give out. I feel physically sick to my stomach as my mind runs wild with thoughts of what’s happening to Kailee.
“Because Kailee’s involved…” His words trail off. “Think about it, Ryder. This is good business sense. My staff are happy and come to no harm, and it’s a way I can ensure my deepest darkest secrets remain just that.”
“Stop,” I yell. “Stop with the fucking bullshit excuses. Kailee has been taken, ready to be sold. And all because that motherfucker of a brother wants to make a profit from her.”
“But the point I’m making is this. If you didn’t feel something for the girl, you probably wouldn’t be bothered with what he did with her… Am I right?”
“Can we quit with the analysis and get the fuck out of here? We need to stop this from happening and fast.”
“And what? You’re just going to show up and demand her back? Be her knight in shining armor? I’m not sure it works like that. Just because Jax is there doesn’t mean Kailee is.” He sighs.
“She’s there. I just fucking know it.”
I race into my room, pulling out the old suitcase hidden under my bed. I grab my gun and ammo as Marco’s words play over in my mind. I don’t know how this will play out. I don’t know what sort of place I’m going to be walking into. But one thing I’m certain of is that I will fight. I will fight to get Kailee back and make her mine. I should never have fallen for the charade my dick of a brother put on. He never wanted her and watching them together tore a fucking hole in my heart.
I’ve wanted her since the minute I saw her cradling her face that night she arrived. She has consumed me wholly since that day. I want her so badly that I can practically smell her, taste her. She is all I’ve thought about every single fucking day.
What I feel for her is so damn intense that it’s almost become a part of me; a feeling that stays with me every minute of every day
I watched from afar, hoping she would find something better than us. Better than this goddamn trailer park. The thought of some lunatic touching her, or worse, hurting her makes it hard for me to breathe. This is so fucking dangerous, but I have to do this.
I have to get back what is mine.
“Ryder.” Marco calls my name.
I push the second gun into the waist of my jeans, making sure my shirt covers it.
“What, man?” I ask, emerging from my room. My eyes land on Marco, leaning against the wall.
“Do you know what you’re getting yourself into?” He sighs heavily. “I love you like you’re my brother, but I’m not sure I can help you. Going to war was never on my agenda.”
I lift my chin. “Just get me in there, and I will do the rest.”
Kailee
Jax leads me out of the room; my whole body shakes as my mind is full of fear. My feet drag along the floor as I try to stop this from happening. But I can’t. He’s too strong, and I’m too damn weak to put up enough of a fight. My eyes wander the hall. It’s old, cold, and feels very industrial. The bare brick walls are dimly lit, and I narrow my eyes, trying to take it all in. As we reach the end of the hallway, he grabs the handle and pulls open the door just in front of him. I twist my head quickly, trying to look for an escape route behind me. Maybe this is my chance to get away. As I look behind me, I find the two guys who had previously guarded the door are following us.
My stomach plummets with disappointment, and tears threaten to break through. I feel weak, completely drained. I want to crash to
the floor and sob.
But I can’t.
I have to remain strong.
I have to fight.
Fight to get through this.
I shake my head, forcing back the emotion. I raise my chin a little, adjusting my posture.
“I can do this,” I whisper in the tiniest voice possible.
“What?” Jax spins around; his feet come to a complete standstill. “What did you say?”
I look at the ruggedly gorgeous man stood in front of me. I still can’t believe this man would do something like this. I never once doubted his motives or his words. He was kind. He made me feel like he cared at a time when I felt abandoned.
“We don’t have to do this,” I whisper, my eyes checking around us. “Take me home. Make me yours,” I plead with him. Not because I want him but because I want out of here.
Narrowing his eyes, he clears his throat. “I can’t,” he mutters. “I have to do this. For Eric.”
“I knew this was all him.” I reach forward, grazing his hand with mine. His admission gives me the little hope I need. “You don’t need him. What about Ryder?”
“This has nothing to do with Ryder,” he snaps. “Ryder will kill me if he ever finds out about this.”
“What? No,” I say, shaking my head. “He’s your brother. He loves you.”
“He loves you more,” he whispers, his eyes widening. “He’s been infatuated with you since the moment you arrived. He loves hard, but I had to step in first. Make you believe that I wanted you. Because this” —he holds out his arms— “this was always the plan, Kailee.”
“No, you don’t mean that…”
“I mean every single damn word.” He turns his back and continues through the door. I jump at the contact of something cold and metal pressing on my back. I retract, arching my back, and look at the two men laughing behind me.
“Let’s go,” one of them grumbles through his snorts of laughter. I quickly step forward, walking faster until I’m right behind Jax. I feel deceived and humiliated. He is seriously messed up and worked hard to trick me the way he has.
The smell of the room hits my senses. The huge room has red plush carpet and is decorated like an old-fashioned theater. There is a stage to my left, covered in red velvet drapes, and under any other circumstances, I might think it was pretty. But right now, knowing what little I know, this whole room fills me with dread. I look at a few guys who are sitting at what looks like a bar area, but as I scan the rest of the room, it appears empty.
I continue to follow Jax. He stops at the far side of the grand stage, pulling back the drapes to reveal a door. We walk through the door and down yet another cold corridor. I can just about make out another metallic door. Jax smiles at the guard stood outside the door. He nods, opening the door slowly, so I tentatively step through. The fear of walking into the unknown terrifies me, and the sound of someone sobbing puts me on high alert.
The door slams behind me. I jump at the sound, clutching my hands to my chest as I try to steady myself. I strain my neck, looking at the room we just entered. My eyes immediately land on a girl crouched on the floor. Her hands are wrapped in her long blond hair, and her wails are ear piercing.
I stretch my shaking hand forward, grabbing hold of Jax’s shirt. “What’s wrong with her?”
He glowers at me, studying me for a second. His expression is one of disgust.
“Hey,” I shout, looking around the room. The man standing in front of her slowly turns his head, his eyes raking over my body. “What’s wrong with her? Don’t you think you need to do something?”
“Kailee,” Jax turns and warns.
“This silly little whore needs to pull herself together. No one will pay money for a wailing tramp.” He takes a hand full of her hair, dragging her up from the floor. She yelps out, struggling to stand. Controlling her head with the grasp he has on her hair, he tilts her head back, her red swollen face meeting his.
“You have five minutes to sort out your scrawny little ass, or I’ll come back and finish you off myself,” he growls in her face. I want to help her; I feel awful just watching this happen, but I have to remember these are dangerous people. Shooting my mouth off will only make things worse. I look around slowly. Four other girls are here, including the one left sobbing on the floor. Three of the girls look strung out with dark circles around their eyes and hair that’s tied up—but in no way disguises how greasy it looks. They look dead behind their dark eyes. Each girl is dressed in the same set as I am. Revealing lacy bra and panties. We’ve all got the same bright lipstick on. It’s like we are a herd of cattle waiting at the market to be sold.
The guy throws the sobbing girl back against the floor, making his way over to Jax. He leans in close, whispering so quietly, I can’t make out what they are saying. They glance over at me, the guy smiling widely, revealing his whiter than white teeth. It’s not the nice kind of smile you’d expect; it’s the sort of smile that tells me he’s hiding something. I shudder, turning away from his repulsive gaze. I look at the girl still on the floor.
“Here, let me help you.” I walk over, bending down, offering her my hand. She looks up at me, peering through the strands of hair partially covering her face. She slowly lifts her hand out to me, and I bend forward, reaching it and pulling just enough to help her from the ground.
“Thank you.” She sniffles, wiping her nose on the back of her hand. As she clears her face of hair, I can’t help but study her features. She’s stunning. Her cool blond hair is almost to her waist, and her eyes are so blue. But despite all this, it’s the youth in her features that has me fixed on her. I gently tug on her hand, leading her farther away from Jax and the other guy’s earshot.
I stop when I feel my bare back touching the cool brick wall.
“It’s going to be okay,” I lie. Not because I want to give her false hope, but because I have to believe this myself.
Her head shakes wildly. “It’s not okay. This will never be okay,” she croaks. I reach up, placing my hand on the top of her very thin arms.
“Shhh,” I prompt. Looking around at Jax, I make sure she hasn’t drawn attention to us. My eyes land back on her face. “Take deep breaths,” I say, inhaling and exhaling, hoping she will follow suit.
And she does. She starts to breathe, but her breaths are ragged. She had clearly been crying for a long time and wound herself up.
“I’m going to die, aren’t I?” Her eyes widen.
“No,” I quickly respond. “Nobody is dying on my watch,” I say, trying to lighten the situation. “I’m Kailee, by the way.” I offer my hand to her, and her eyes study my hand for a second.
“I’m Layla,” she says with a huge breath, taking my hand, and we shake.
“How old are you, Layla?” I ask, my voice just a whisper.
“I’m not allowed to say,” she mumbles, cautiously checking over her shoulder.
“You can trust me,” I say tilting my head and focusing on her face. “You’re not eighteen, are you?”
She shakes her head.
I try my best not to gasp, but I can’t help sucking in a shaking breath. “Jesus,” I mutter. “Has he hurt you?”
She nods, her eyes saddening, and I lunge forward, wrapping my arms around her. This whole thing is messed up. But I’m spared a little comfort in the fact that I probably haven’t experienced anything like what this girl has been through.
“I want to go home,” she whispers through her sobs as she rests her head on my shoulders.
“You will, I promise,” I say, stroking her hair. “But you need to start playing the game. You might be bought by a good businessman, and there’s a chance you can get out of this.” Her head moves against my shoulder as she nods in agreement. “Let’s look our best; we stand a better chance then.” I swipe my finger under her eyes, wiping away the stray tears. She barely has any makeup on now, but she doesn’t need it. She’s stunning and still has the bright red lipstick on.
“Let your face dry, and t
he redness will go down. Here, let me fix your hair,” I say as I reach up and flatten the few strands sticking up.
“Why are you doing this?” she asks. “How are you so calm?”
“Believe me; I’m just as terrified as you are. But freaking out isn’t going to help. I’m trying to keep a clear head because I will get out of here.”
“The men who come here want to do despicable things to us. Nick told me they would fuck me like a rag doll then kill me when they’ve got all they need from me.”
I swallow down hard. I have to hope this isn’t the future for either of us.
“No one knows what’s waiting on the other side.”
And that’s the terrifying truth. I have no idea what’s going to happen to either of us.
Ryder
We pull up on the side of the road.
“That track there leads to the building where the whole thing takes place. Aston will go with you and make sure you get in. But then you’re on your own, Ryder. The black car parked just behind is all yours.” He holds up a set of keys, and I hold my hand out. He drops them into my palm, and I quickly push them inside my pocket.
“I wish you all the best, my man, but this is as far as I go.”
“Thanks, man.” I take his hand, pulling him in for a man hug.
I pull down my black ski mask, turning and stepping from the car.
“Ryder,” Marco calls. “Don’t go getting yourself killed. I like looking at that tight ass of yours way too much.”
I can’t help but laugh. “I’m not fucking planning on it, man,” I say with a huff of laughter. I slam the door shut, and the car speeds away. “Ready?” I ask Aston, the guy Marco has appointed to help me.
He nods in a nonverbal response. I start jogging down the small track, all my senses on high alert. My adrenaline is at an all-time high. This is fucking dangerous, and my heart’s pace reminds me just how fucking nervous I am. But I have to do this.
The edge of life: Official cover - coming soon Page 18