Bill stands, buttoning his suit jacket, and looks at me. “We don’t have to make a decision right now.”
“Time isn’t on her side,” Adam growls at him. “I’d say maybe three weeks. A month at the most.” He looks at me. “When they come for you—and they will—they will already have everything they need to set you up to take the fall. There will be nothing left to argue on their end.”
I ignore him and look at my dad. “This isn’t awesituation. This is me…my life, and I say no.” With that, I turn and exit the study, slamming the doors shut on my way out.
Storming out to my car, I start it up and squeal my tires. I drive, not sure where I’m going or what I’m doing.
Why the fuck should I have to hide?
What do you know about Dollhouse?Kashton’s words come to mind.
I know things about that place that would give grown men nightmares. I know adults and kids of all ages are run in and out of there. They do not discriminate against race, age, or gender. Everyone has a price. Some are worth more than others, but it’s all about their check, nonetheless.
I made them money. My body was sold to the highest bidder because that’s all I was good for. A hole to fuck. Bill saved me from that. But he can only save me from so much.
Carnage is not the answer. It is the problem.
I’ve come too far to allow someone to make me feel helpless…though I was naked and cuffed just an hour ago.
Kashton is going to be a problem. He’s made that very clear. My only thing is, do I let him in? He’ll want something in return. I don’t doubt Adam. The cops can pin whatever they want on whoever they want to take the fall, and the Lords won’t have my back.
Does that mean Kashton is my only hope?Fuck, I hope not.
What choice do I have? Life in jail or life on the run?
I refuse to run. Look at what happened to Ashtyn. I know more about her than her husband does. It’s easy to watch when no one sees you there. I know everyone’s secrets. But that makes me wonder…who knows mine?
Have I paid enough attention to my surroundings, or have I gotten too comfortable thinking I don’t exist?
No. I’m jumping the gun. I just need to sit back and look at it from all angles. There’s always another way. Placing my life in Kashton’s hands is like willingly walking into the lion’s den.
That sour taste burns my throat, and I pull my car over, slamming on my brakes. I open my driver’s side door just in time to vomit onto the gravel. Once I’m done, I sit back in my seat and wipe my chin with my hand.
I could go to the police on my own. Speak to them again before they reach out to me. Innocent people don’t volunteer to give information, right?
They probably wouldn’t see it that way. Bill is an attorney, and he was hanging on Adam’s every word. Which tells me Bill thinks I have no chance of fighting this.
I’m fucked.
KASHTON
Senior year at Barrington
I groan, rolling onto my back. There’s something cold and hard underneath me. My heavy eyes open, and it takes a few seconds for my vision to focus on nothing but darkness. Then my memory starts to return.
Alarms sounding at Carnage woke me up…our fathers dead…Ashtyn broke my nose and kneed me in the balls…then she shot Saint…a woman arrived at Carnage…her minions threw Haidyn and me into the arena…we fought eight prisoners who were all on adrenaline…I collapsed afterward…
I grunt and instantly regret it. That’s why I’m so sore.
Sitting up, I run a bloody hand down my face. “Fuck.” My tongue is swollen. I must have bitten it, because the taste of blood still lingers.
“What the…” I trail off when a light shines from my left.
“Good morning, sunshine.”
I look over to see the fucking bitch standing on the other side of the prison door.
My chest rises when I take a deep breath. “Who the fuck are you and why are you here?” I demand.
