long as the others. She’ll be buried in the yard within a year.”
I forced myself not to shake, not giving in to my fear while Bones was present. But I’d never been so scared in my goddamn life. The sobs pounded in my chest, and I was on the verge of fainting. This man was a monster, far worse than Crewe could ever be. All he ever did was slap me—and that was because I slapped him first. When I asked him not to fuck me, he listened. Crewe wasn’t evil at all—not in comparison to Bones.
When Bones finally left the house, I dashed into my bedroom and covered myself with clothes, my body finally shaking with terror. I couldn’t catch my breath because I was gasping too hard. If I had to submit to that psychopath, I’d kill myself.
That was the much better alternative.
Crewe walked into my bedroom without knocking. “That went well.”
I’d normally respond with a smartass comment, but I didn’t have it in me.
“He’ll be here with the cash in three days.”
“He said that?” My one hope was the price might be too high. I thought I would be too expensive to buy, especially if I wasn’t going to last long.
“Yeah.” Crewe stood with his hands in his pockets, still looking handsome despite the evil sale he’d just made. “He just needs to get the funds and travel back. When you’re always on the move, it’s hard to get your finances together.”
I didn’t care about the explanation. “Crewe…don’t do this.” I begged once before, and he listened. Maybe he would listen again. “Please.”
He looked down at me, nearly bored.
“I’ll get you the money, okay? Your debt will be paid.”
“You’ve got four million dollars lying around?” he asked with a cruel smile.
“No, but I’ll find it.” I’d sell drugs if I had to. “You’re selling me to get your revenge. Let me buy myself.”
He shook his head. “Even if you had the money, I wouldn’t take it. Giving you to a madman like Bones is part of the plan.”
“No…” I felt tears bubble in my eyes, but they didn’t escape. “I’m begging you.” I moved to my knees on the floor. “Please don’t let him take me. I know you have compassion. I know you have sympathy.”
His eyes darkened the moment I got to my knees. “I don’t.”
“Yes, you do. I’ve seen it.”
“The only reason why I didn’t fuck you is because I didn’t want to tamper with the goods. Your pleas have no effect on me.”
I didn’t believe that. Or perhaps I chose not to believe that. “I’ll do anything. Don’t give me to that psychopath. He’s insane.”
“That’s the point,” Crewe said coldly. “He’s the craziest man I’ve ever done business with—and that’s saying something.”
I brought my hands together, not caring about how pathetic I’d become. I was on the ground like a rat, but I didn’t care. I’d do anything to save my life, to save myself from eternal suffering. “Crewe, there has to be something you want. I can give you anything you need. Anything.” My meaning was clear. I never thought I would offer something like this, but I was willing to sleep with him just to avoid Bones. I’d take Crewe over Bones any day.
“There’s nothing I want more than to make an example of my enemies.” He walked around me, his hands still in his pockets. “You leave in three days. You can blame me all you want, but your brother is responsible for this. Blame him.”
“Crewe, please—”
He slammed the door.
Unable to bottle it in any longer, I succumbed to my tears.
7
Crewe
She didn’t come out of her room for meals or anything else. She stayed hidden away. Finley checked on her from time to time to make sure she didn’t hang herself in the closet. I wouldn’t blame her if she tried to take that avenue.
I would do the same thing.
While it was an unfortunate circumstance for her, I didn’t feel any sympathy. That was how the world worked. Evil men would exploit you the second you let your guard down. She should have hidden herself better, left her guard up longer. If she took care of herself, I wouldn’t have been able to find her.
So this was her mistake.
Bones would take her away, beat her senseless, and then kill her within eight months. When she left my house, it would be the last time I’d ever see her—the last time anyone would see her besides Bones. Her death would be just