Chapter 19 #3
Once inside the bathroom, I took gasping breaths, close to hyperventilating. I couldn’t stop shaking, my throat almost completely closed off.
Think. Fucking think.
Just staring at the reflection of the girl in the mirror added to the terror. I was a long way from my classroom and quaint little house. In garish clothes and ridiculous makeup, I no longer recognized myself.
Wait a minute. Oh, my God. A conversation I’d overheard came crashing down on my mind. It had been something Briana had said months before. She had mentioned modeling. She’d been very excited because a powerful man had told her that she would make a perfect model. Not a girlfriend. A man.
When I’d asked, she’d just told me someone she could trust.
Oh. My. God.
Franklin had been grooming her. Had that been what he’d done with me?
Only I’d seen through his bullshit, shoving him aside, telling him I’d…
Tell my father. I turned on the water, splashing some onto my face.
I’d always had a terrible feeling my father had suddenly retired because of what I’d threatened.
Close to hyperventilating, I counted to ten, praying my heartrate would slow.
I needed to get control. If I was right, that motherfucker needed to pay. Anger swept through me, colliding with then crushing the fear.
By the time I glanced into the mirror again, the woman I remembered as having a backbone and resolve was staring back at me.
Laughing softly, I pointed my finger at the mirror. “All of you are going down.”
I shouldn’t have been shocked when the moment I opened the door I was dragged into the shadows of the corridor. Even before I was shoved against the wall, fingers were around my throat, squeezing until I couldn’t breathe.
A face loomed over me and I didn’t need any light to tell me what I already knew.
Franklin was the monster attacking me.
As soon as he leaned in, I was repulsed by the stench of him. He was wearing the same goddamn aftershave he’d worn all those years ago. When I’d been too young and too na?ve to realize what a prick he was.
I caught him off guard when I slammed my fist under his chin, knocking his head back by several inches. Yet his hold on my neck didn’t break.
Exhaling, he grabbed my wrist before I could punch him again.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Reese.
You won’t like what happens. I don’t think we need to lean on pretense here.
We know each other, but I believe you now fully understand what I’m capable of.
Plus, you and Drake are in a very precarious position. You have no idea how powerful I am.”
“Fuck you. You won’t get away with this.”
“I’m afraid that’s where you’re wrong. Believe it or not, I don’t want to see you hurt. That’s why I’m going to suggest you stay very quiet. You see, neither you nor Drake Cavanaugh understand the lengths these people will go to so the organization can be protected.”
“Which you’re a part of. Which means you’ll go to whatever lengths you need to keep your special place with the elite.”
He glanced away briefly, checking over his shoulder. “I should have known you’d get mixed up in this, but you need to stay away.”
“Is that a threat?” I touched my collar, taking another picture. When he flipped his gaze to what I was doing, I feared he’d caught me spying on him. He dragged the top of a finger across the edge.
“That’s a promise. You know I could ruin your life. But I will say this. I wouldn’t mind you becoming my permanent slave. Imagine the things I could do to you. Pleasure and pain.”
I managed to jerk my hand free, slapping him across the face. “You always were a sadist. And whatever you do to me would be worth it to bring you and your twisted friends to your knees.”
Even in the shadows, I could see the look of rage in his eyes and felt the intense brimming of extreme heat. At this point, I just didn’t care.
“I would hate for your sister to be sold to someone in a country where you’ll never see her again. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Oh, my God. I was right. You lured her to Miami. Didn’t you?”
His deep, evil chuckle sent a flurry of anger and butterflies into my stomach. “I didn’t necessarily lure her. In fact, I was surprised she responded to a TikTok video. However, I can’t say I’m displeased. Although she’s a little fighter just like you. What a shame she needed to be broken.”
“So you admit it. You’re the one luring girls into becoming slaves. You fucking monster.”
His laugh was unnerving.
“Be careful, little girl. We promise them a new life. What’s the harm in that?”
Another rush of emotions almost buckled my knees. “If you dare hurt her, I will kill you myself.”
“Mmm… You know, I’d almost like to see you try. Unfortunately, you’re involved in aspects of business you have no possibility of understanding. Be a good little girl like you once were and back away from this. If you do, I will promise you that you’ll see your sister again.”
“Drake won’t allow that to happen.”
“Oh, I think he will, especially since I have all the leverage I need.”
He had no idea what Kendrick was capable of. I resisted spouting off a single word.
Images of my sister’s face rushed into my mind, but before I had a chance to respond, Franklin’s hand was jerked away. The hard thud as he was pitched backward was followed by Kendrick issuing a brutal punch to the center of Franklin’s face.
He didn’t stop there, throwing punch after punch until Franklin was finally down on the floor.
Stunned, I remained where I was. “We need to get out of here.” While my whisper was barely audible, Kendrick heard me.
“We will. When I’m finished.” He yanked Franklin to his feet, prepared to drive his fist into the man’s face once again. “You should know better than to touch what belongs to me.”
“Wait,” I said, going off instinct more than any feelings for the asshole. “He was trying to warn us.”
Kendrick’s hiss was followed by a shake of his head. “Talk.”
“You need to be careful. You can’t fight them.” Franklin managed to jerk himself away and with his face hardening, I knew we were no longer alone.
Kendrick realized it as well, pointing his finger in Franklin’s face. “If you dare ever try and touch one of my slaves, you’ll learn a valuable lesson on how powerful I truly am.”
“What’s going on here?” Lucifer barked. He was backed by two of the goons I’d seen in the club.
“I found him fondling what belongs to me. Friend or not, the man should know better. Maybe you need to improve your rules of conduct or perhaps that’s how you like to play, but I thought I was very clear in my expectations.
If not, I will retract my membership,” Kendrick barked.
“Star belongs to me.” He turned his head toward Lucifer, daring the man to defy him.
Lucifer sighed, slowly shifting his gaze toward Franklin. “There is no need to do anything rash, Hunter. You should know better, Catcher. This isn’t the way to impress a new member or your friend. I’m very sorry you had to deal with that, Hunter. I hope you’ll accept my apologies.”
“I was merely admiring your slave, Hunter. You and I go way back. It would be a shame to dissolve our friendship. I promise never to touch what belongs to you again.” Even as Franklin issued the words, his gaze fell on me once again.
This time my skin didn’t crawl. Instead, my blood boiled.
Kendrick adjusted his lapels, still glaring at Franklin. “Fine. Apology accepted. However, I’ve lost my taste for scotch and for the company. Enjoy the rest of your night.” He grabbed my arm, leading me down the corridor, pressing his finger across his lips as he did.
Even as we faded into the shadows, I felt the burning eyes of the two men.
And the increasing danger.