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"So what's the plan?" Tito asked. "Slap her around a bit? Maybe have a little fun? I wouldn't mind getting a look at those soft titties."
I cast a sharp look at Tito, instantly fighting a growl that came out of nowhere. The girl was mine. She didn't know it yet but I did.
Don't ask me how I knew.
Tito raised his hands. "Hey man, chill. I was just playing around. You got a plan?"
Yeah, and it was simple.
Holly lived in a small apartment complex, bottom floor, not far from the campus.
Each night she walked alone to her place, after spending hours in the library.
I couldn't imagine what anyone could possibly do for that long in a place filled with nothing but books.
I hated to read.
I'd been watching her for days; I knew her pattern.
I was a bonafide stalker.
But I would do anything to brutalize Butcher's soft spot.
Even break a pretty young thing like Holly.
The 'Cuda rumbled down the road, away from the campus, a shark prowling.
Soon, Holly.
Soon.
Chapter 2
Holly
My senses pricked, sending the hair on my arms rioting as if a cold breeze had licked my skin but it was practically ninety degrees today, almost too hot to be sitting in the sun.
I rubbed at my arms, noting the pinking of an impending sunburn and sighed. Once again, I'd lost track of time.
That happened more times than not.
But burying my nose in a book was my preferred relaxation of choice.
With finals breathing down my neck, I needed every moment of quiet I could get.
There it was again, that sense that I was being watched.
Ridiculous, I know. Too many late-night movies and buttered popcorn.
But for the past week, I couldn't shake the feeling that eyes were on me.
Cataloging my every move.
A shaky laugh escaped as I realized how patently ridiculous it was to fear such a thing.
No one was paying any attention to me.
I was the invisible girl here on campus.
I didn't fit in — I didn't want to fit in — I just wanted to get my degree and move on.
I didn't even want to come here but my brother had insisted.
Seeing as he was paying for my tuition, I wasn't in a position to argue.
But Cornwall University was filled with people I had nothing in common with -- and loneliness was something that'd come along with me when my brother had sent me off.
It was also something I was used to.
My brother had always paid for my schooling, starting from boarding school all the way to university.
Of course, he was a lot older than me.
We shared the same daddy, different moms.
At least that was the story. I was too young to remember. All I'd ever known of my family was Butcher.
I suppose he felt some familial responsibility to take care of me even though we were practically strangers.
His answer had been to ship me off, as soon as I was old enough.
So in the library was where you'd always find me.
With my nose in a book, ignored by everyone else around me.
Books were my sanctuary, my friend, my solace.
But sometimes I wished that I wasn't quite so invisible.
That maybe...there was someone out there who saw more than the shy girl who probably enjoyed chocolate ice cream too much and whose idea of a good time involved snuggling on the sofa watching a rom-com together.
Someone who could look past the fact that my brother, James “Butcher” Brannon ran one of the most notorious street gangs in New York.
Yeah. Right.
Now you know why I kept to myself.
Books were safer.
Chapter 3
Cason
It happened quickly.
Taller than her by almost six inches, it was easy to get behind her, arm locked around her neck, chloroform-doused rag over her nose.
One sharp inhale and she was out.
I hoisted her into my arms and carried her to the car where Tito bound her hands and stuffed a gag in her mouth.
Five minutes, in and out.
No one saw the shadow tailing her on the bike trail, no one saw me overtake her.
The girl really should've been more careful.
The world was filled with monsters and perverts.
"So you really think this is going to work?" Tito asked as we barreled out of the quaint college town that was filled with enough preppy pricks to populate a John Hughes movie. "What if Butcher doesn't give a shit about his sister?"
I cast Tito a knowing look. "The man went out of his way to ensure that no one knew about her. He tucked her away like a princess in an ivory tower. He wouldn't have gone to so much trouble if he didn't give a shit. Trust me...he cares."
A slow smile followed.
It was an inspired fucking plan.
Kidnap baby sister, show Butcher that he wasn't the only one who could make a mess of people, and then use the girl to make Butcher pay for what he'd done.
I wasn't going to let anything stand in my way.
Chapter 4
Butcher
I let the paper drop to the desk, satisfied with current progress.
“Her finals are next week. Grades are good. She should graduate with honors.”
“Excellent,” I grunted with approval. My little Holly was all grown up.
Finally.
And I was proud of her accomplishments as if they were my own.
Mostly because I took full credit for making them possible.
“Make preparations to bring her home. I want the house prepped, her bedroom ready. This will be a special occasion.”
A low hum of happiness found its way to my mouth in the form of a smile. A rarity for me.
So rare that Johnny found it unnerving.
“You okay, boss?”
“Better than ever. All my plans are finally coming to fruition.”
“What if she…doesn’t share your goals.”
My smile faded. “She will.”
Johnny was being a killjoy.
“Leave that to me, she’ll come around,” I said, confident. “Besides, once she realizes that this is her life…she’ll learn to embrace it.”
Johnny’s short nod told me, he wasn’t so sure but he wasn’t going to argue with me because he liked being able to use his tongue.
Holly was willful, but I liked that about her.
Beneath that shy, quiet exterior, beat the heart of a woman who simply needed a firm hand.
I was that person.
I’d waited so long for this moment. The next two weeks would be agony.
I was so close.
Holly, my sweet Holly, you’re coming home.
Chapter 5
Holly
My head ached, a sour taste clung to the back of my throat. I tried to move. A moan escaped as I discovered my hands and feet bound tightly, the rope chaffing the skin. Panic threatened. My gaze darted to my surroundings.
I didn’t recognize anything in the cramped room. It smelled as if it hadn’t been cleaned — ever.
A combination of motor oil, pizza, beer and things best left unsaid assaulted my nose. A weak cough tickled my throat.
I tried to remember what’d happened but my memory was foggy at best.
Books.
Paula, the campus librarian had reserved the book I’d been searching for, and had it waiting for me. I remembered being so excited to get home to read. I wasn’t paying attention but I knew the path so well, I hadn’t been paying attention to my surroundings.
Butcher was always telling me to watch myself.
Of course, this would happen to prove him right.
