The house feels too quiet…
I better head upstairs before my brother decides to make an appearance.
As I take a step, voices drift my way from the downstairs study.
Pausing near the hallway just off the foyer, I press my back against the wall, my heart already beating a little faster as I strain to listen.
“…doesn’t suspect anything?”
Uncle Rion.
Honestly, my uncle scares me a hell of a lot more than my father ever did. There’s something about him I don’t trust. I mean, there must have been a reason for my father to keep him away all these years, right?
“She’s smart, but no. Riley’s too focused on school, so she’s not paying attention.”
My stomach drops.
Paying attention to what?
“She doesn’t need to know until it’s done. He’s prepared to sign off on the alliance this week. He’s got the manpower weneed, and with him behind us, the Sullivans will fall.” A pause. “And he’s already agreed to waive the territory we promised him if she’s still a virgin.”
“She is.” Oscar’s voice is quieter now. “I’m almost sure.”
Why does it even matter if I’m a virgin or not? Unless…
Oh, God! I think I’m going to be sick.
“She’s twenty-three, and O’Keefe’s over fifty,” Oscar mutters. “She’s going to lose her mind.”
“She has no choice but to do what she’s told.”
O’Keefe?
Oh, no, no, no. It can’t be.
My hands curl into fists at my sides as my vision blurs.
I might have only met Sean O’Keefe once, but that was all it took for me to hate him.
The man is slimy, and the thought of him anywhere near me is enough to make my stomach churn.
Making sure to keep my footsteps as quiet as possible, I back away, heading up the stairs to my room before I throw up all over the freshly polished floors.
My legs are shaking so badly that they almost give out as I reach the upper landing, but I need to get to my room. It’s the one place in this entire house that I feel safe.
The second I close the door behind me, my legs finally buckle, and I sink to the floor.
My brother and my uncle are plotting to sell me like I’m a piece of property.
I’m still sitting on the floor, blinking back tears, when a soft, hesitant knock sounds at the door.
“Riley?”
Oscar.
There’s no point in ignoring my brother because he’ll just call one of his men up here to break down my door.
I take a moment to steady myself before climbing to my feet and unlocking the door.
