Dad looked away again. “He…knows Kamensky has a thing for you.”
I frowned, a hot ball of emotions tangling inside me. No, this couldn’t be happening.
Anton “Rampage” Kamensky was one of Goodyear’s fighters, one Dad trained. He was a big brute, and I didn’t like him. At all. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. He’d cornered me loads of times, pinning me against walls, rubbing himself against me, asking me out.
I’d said no so many times, and he still kept harassing me.
I wrapped my arms around my middle. “What’s Anton got to do with this?”
“So, Anton’s lost quite a few fights. Goodyear’s losing money. He wants his fighter…motivated.”
“I don’t understand.”
Dad licked his lips. “He wants you for Anton. You’re going to be the prize for tonight’s fight.”
The world spun sideways. I slapped my hand against the wall to stay upright. “You…you sold me? To be a fucking prize for Anton. What the hell, Dad?”
“I didn’t have a choice?—”
“Screw you! All I’ve ever done is try to help you, even when you treated me like shit. All I wanted was you to be a father.” To show me some scrap of care or attention. For you to love me.
His face changed. I’d seen it so many times before. When Dad lost his temper, he got angry and belligerent.
“Don’t fucking complain! This helps me out and?—”
“Get out!” I screamed. I flew at him, landing a solid punch to his gut. He had trained me to throw a decent punch.
He grunted and shoved me back.
“You’re dead to me,” I whispered. “You weren’t much of a father, but…” I shook my head, pain and anger tearing through me.
He’d been all I’d had, and I’d fooled myself into thinking that somewhere inside him, he loved me. I was an idiot.
No one cared. No one loved me.
He looked like he was going to say something, a muscle ticking in his jaw, then he spun and stomped out.
He’d sold me.
My mind spun like an out-of-control carnival ride. He didn’t care what Anton would do to me.
I’d never felt so alone in my life.
I waited to hear the door lock, but the metal clicking sound never came.
My heartbeat took off like a frightened rabbit. I inched toward the door and tested the handle. It opened.
This was my chance to get away.
I made myself wait a few minutes. To make sure Dad was gone. Every second was agony, my brain screaming at me to run.
Opening the door, I peered out into the hall. There was no one in sight.
The back door. There was an old loading dock at the back of the warehouse, and it didn’t get used much, except for deliveries. That was my best bet.
I slipped out and moved fast. My ballet flats were silent on the concrete floor.
I had no idea where to go, but that didn’t matter. I’d jump in my car, empty out the money in my bank account, and drive. Once I was far away from Las Vegas, I’d worry about everything else.
