“Alittle makeup and blending and she'll be good to go,” Aldo said as he checked out my fading facial bruises.They'd healed well over the last month.And the swelling was all gone.But there was still remnants of yellow-green bruising left behind.
And Aldo was probably right.Some good concealer, and foundation would go a long way to cover those marks up.
Now, the bruising on my ribs was another story.Those marks hadn't disappeared.Faded, yes.A bit.They still looked pretty bad, though.
Not that Aldo would ever see them.Or anyone else.
We'd come up with a plan.I had to give all the credit to my sister for coming up with it.I mean, I didn't think it was a great plan.But she was full-on ready to help out with it.
So, who was I to say no?
“She's still bruised up, Aldo.Why not give her another week or two to heal?”my father asked, doing the least that he possibly could.Especially since he was the one who'd gotten me into this mess in the first place.My anger toward my father hadn't dissipated in the last month.Only grown.Once this whole crappy situation was over and done with—I was leaving.And never coming back.I'd change my name, change my number, and get the heck out of this godforsaken city.For good.
“Time is money.There's an event happening tonight.A lotta top guys expected to show.Big spenders.”He smirked at me, and my stomach twisted.“Miss Francesca will fetch a great price from one of them.”He turned his head and glanced at my father.“Then you'll be free and clear with Raul.”
My father's face blanched and looked down.Just like the freaking coward he was.
After this—I was writing him off.
After this—I no longer had a father.
“All right.”Aldo clapped his hands together once.“Get Brittany.Tell her it's time to get Francesca ready for her big night.”
I bit my tongue and didn't say anything.There was no sense in prolonging this any longer than we already had.The plan that Felicia had come up with was our only chance.
My—only chance.
Even if we had another month—or another year—we still wouldn't be able to come up with a better plan.
I didn't know who Brittany was.And I really didn't care.
“I'll see you in a few hours.”Aldo gave me a greasy smile before he turned around and left.
A few seconds later, Felicia wandered down the stairs.“Is he gone?”she asked, looking around.
I nodded and peered up at her.“Yeah, go shower.He's sending someone in to help with makeup.You need to be ready for her.”
She pursed her lips together and nodded.Then she turned around and headed up the stairs.
“Bet you're glad you've got a twin sister right about now.”My father laughed and grabbed his beer from the coffee table.
“Well, I'm sure as hell not glad I've got a father like you.That's for freaking sure,” I answered back.“Just because I don't have to follow through with the auction, does not mean all is forgiven.You dragged us into this.And we're the ones getting you out.Again.But no more.This is it.Do you hear me?”I asked, hands on my hips as I scowled at the drunken man on the couch.He was a pathetic loser.And he'd never done crap to support us.
His arm stopped halfway in the air, suspending his beer from his lips.“That's how you talk to your father?”His eyebrows rose on his forehead.“After everything I did for you girls?”
Was this guy serious right now?I stared at him like I wanted to kill him.
Mostly because I did.“Everything you did for us?”I walked toward him and repeated.“Everything you did for us?Like ignore and neglect us?Leave us alone for weeks at a time when we were far too young to be left alone?Put us in danger more times than I can freaking count?Do you mean all of those things?”My voice raised but I didn't give a rip.After tonight, I'd never have to see his worthless face again.
He shook his head from side to side and took a big swig of his beer.“That's gratitude for ya.The most ungrateful kids I've ever seen.Honest to God.Nothin's ever good enough for you.I swear.Nothing in the world's good enough for you.Is it, Franny?I've bent over backward my whole life to support you girls after your mother left.And this is the fuckin' thanks I get?Ungrateful little pieces of shit.The both of you.”
This was pointless.No matter what I said, he'd still see things his way.
Like he always did.
I turned on my heel and hurried up the stairs to help my sister.She was going to need it.
16
