I would do anything for her. I’d walk through fire if necessary.
All I wanted in my life was for her to have a chance. There was so much for her to live for. “I’m trying, Daddy.”
“I know, honey. Because of you, Briana will have a future full of love, family, and so much happiness.”
CHAPTER 1
Ten years later…
Reese
“Next.”
His gruff voice coming from behind a dark drape sent a shower of ugly current through every muscle, fear into my stomach. I suddenly couldn’t move, terrified I’d made a horrible decision.
Get moving. You have no other choice.
The chiding from my inner voice did little to boost my courage.
“Get out there, sweetheart. We don’t have all fucking day. Trust me. You’re nothing special.”
The man standing behind me pushed me forward with enough force I almost tripped. While I was terrified, being manhandled wasn’t in my repertoire. “Watch it, asshole.”
After catching myself before falling on my face, I threw him a hateful look. While the hulking mass was impeccably dressed,he had bouncer goon vibes. I envisioned him carrying brass knuckles as a weapon of choice.
His eyes lit up as he made snake sounds, the slithering tongue licking his lips as disgusting as everything about him. “A feisty one. Our members like that.”
Members.
The single word reminded me why I was here.
To find my sister.
My father’s voice remained in the back of my mind, a soft echo that never subsided.“You’re her guardian angel.”
But I’d ceased to be over a year before. I’d forsaken her, annoyed with my sister for so many things. For living dangerously. For tossing aside the joy she’d found, the life she’d been allowed to live.
It was quite possible I was just a horrible person. She owed me nothing, but she did owe herself. Maybe I just needed to kick her upside the head like sisters did. If only I hadn’t been so busy. Although that wasn’t entirely true. I hadn’t been able to stand watching her destroying her life. Now I wasn’t a guardian angel, but an avenging one. If anyone had hurt her, or touched her inappropriately, they would face my wrath.
Hell hath no fury like a big sister with a cause.
All my investigations had led me to this place and this moment, prepared to degrade myself for acceptance into some twisted club full of aging, wealthy men with sadistic hungers. I shuddered from the thought, but I’d come too far to blow my single chance at finding her.
When I didn’t cower, the asshole hissed. “Get the fuck out there or get out. Those are your choices.”
“Fine.”
“Your fucking body better be worth that mouth.”
If only I could shove my fist into his.
Calm down and breathe. Pretend.
I held my head high, envisioning Briana’s face as I stepped from behind the curtain, immediately assaulted by bright lights. Wincing, I shielded my eyes and did my best to keep from tripping.
“Stand on the X,” the same voice from before said from the ominous shadows.
With my feet full of lead, I did as I was told. At least the X was easy to see. Once I’d reached the spot, I sensed there were at least three men in the audience, but with the horrific lighting, there was no way of seeing anything but their silhouettes.
