And with that, the reality of the entire situation sinks in.
My dad is a liar. My mom is dying of cancer. And I just sold myself to save them both.
I turn, walk away from him, and go back down the hall, shutting myself into my bedroom and locking the door. It does nothing to make me feel safe, and yet I do it anyway. Then, I flick off the light and crawl under my covers. Maybe if I wrap them around me tight enough it will stop my world from caving in.
But it doesn't, and there's no escaping the fate in store for me, so instead of finding a shred of comfort, I allow the emotions to break free and sob into my pillow as I silently wonder what I could have done differently to not end up here.
Alone. Afraid. Biding my time.
3
ALEC
Ido the same thing I've done all week.
I show up at the mansion and wait for instructions.
Today is Thursday, which means June is more than likely working a shift at Bram's Diner. Something I don't quite understand, considering she's in a relationship with four of the most influential men on this side of town.
Dominic, the oldest of the bunch, is head of the criminal underground. He's also the most terrifying of the four. Don't get me wrong, the way June mouths off to him would make you think he's not that scary, but he's only soft for her, and the second you cross him, you might as well kiss your sweet ass goodbye.
Magnus is my favorite. He's the one who treats me most like a human being. Granted, I'm well aware that I'm here to do a job, but he still shows me respect. It isn't that the others don't, but Magnus acts more like my equal than the others, and that alone makes me glad when he's the one escorting June to and from. He makes it a point to ask about my day, make conversation about whatever the latest game was, and has even gone so far as to bring me something from the diner when I've been posted up in my car waiting for June's shift to be over.
But on this fine morning, it isn't Dominic or Magnus or even Coen with June, it's Simon. The lovesick puppy dog that follows so close to her heel that I wouldn't be surprised if he ran into her if she stopped walking.
It's kind of adorable, but has to be annoying.
Being that obsessed with someone has got to get old.
I sigh, knowing damn well the obsession is mutual, and if given the chance, I would love someone that hard, too.
Maybe I'm just bitter because I've never come close to something like that in my entire life. Let alone experience it as much as June does.
All four of her men are infatuated by her. Would do anything for her. Would risk their lives and kill anyone who dared to even look wrong in her direction. And that alone is why I keep my eyeballs to myself and do as I'm told, driving her wherever they command me and not for a second disobeying a single order.
It isn't all bad. Honestly, the pay is pretty damn good, and it's the only job that is flexible enough with the hours to work around my college schedule.
It's practically allowed me to pay for all my tuition upfront, too, along with saving a hefty chunk of cash—money that I'd otherwise be struggling to get if I worked a traditional job.
Sure, it comes with its risks, but isn't that what life is all about...taking risks?
"I've got it from here," Simon tells me with a hint of 'fuck off' lingering in his tone.
I tip my head in acknowledgment as I hold the door to Bram's Diner open for June and Simon to enter.
June offers me a soft smile which is a lot for her, since her default is resting bitch face twenty-four seven.
She's beautiful in a scary kind of way. That's why the dynamic she has with those four ruthless men works so well, because she is one and the same. Her darkness matches theirs. June might be a petite woman in a soft and feminine package, but she is fierce, a bit psychotic, and just as fucking crazy as they are. Some might consider June a firecracker, but to me, she's more like a ticking time bomb with the potential to ruin any man who dares to look her direction.
"I'll be in the car, sir." I release the handle on the door and wait until Simon and June have greeted the wait staff before relaxing my shoulders and turning on my heel to make my way back to the blacked-out sedan I'm chauffeuring them around in today.
Not only is it blacked out, but it's bulletproof, too.
Only the best for June and her men.
Supposedly it wasn't always like that. But the second June came into their lives, Dominic had all their vehicles outfitted with every safety measure he could afford.
And that man can afford whatever the hell his sadistic heart desires.
