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That is until today. I met a man who scares me, but more than that, he took me. Told me that I was now his property to do as he pleased. Said if I give him what he wants, then he’ll wipe my parents’ debt to him.
My body feels as if it’s been singed by fire, and I don’t know if anyone can put the flames out. It hurts and I just want to run away. Still, I won’t be able to. The man said that if I try, he’ll ensure I’m placed somewhere where I can’t be found. That I’ll become something else completely. Instead of paying my parents’ debt with my body to him, I’ll simply become a slave for him to use at will.
By doing this, I at least have some sort of freedom. But I’ll never see true freedom. I’ll never know love, and I can never take my life into my hands and end it all.
Happy Birthday to me.
I close the book and look up to see the others staring at me with different ranges of expressions of rage. The tension filling the room is thick enough to cut with a knife. I toss the notebook back into the box and pick up a picture of Noah, Noelle, and me. It was when we’d taken Noelle to the zoo for her birthday, escaping the rest of the world for the day. She never questioned the fact we’d taken a bus all the way there. Instead, she had a great time, laughing and joking with us.
“She’s been raped for the past seven years.” Whip is the first to speak up, and I glance in his direction. “She gave herself to that motherfucker to protect those no-good pieces of shit,” he snarls, nostrils flaring. I’m sure this is hitting close to home for him, because his own sister dealt with a similar situation.
“I’m bringing it to the table. We’ve got to vote on it, but we’re goin’ to protect Noelle,” Stoney announces, his lip curling in fury, his hands clenched as he slams a fist on the desk.
“I’m claiming her.” The words are out of my mouth before I think better of it, and I don’t regret them. Noelle’s mine. She always has been and will be. I promised her brother I’d look out for her, and I failed him. But I’ve got a second chance, and I’ll be damned if I don’t keep it this time around.
CHAPTER8
NOELLE
Cyprus left a while ago, and all I’ve done is sit here and think.
What have I done?
What do I do next?
Can I really be free of Hector?
Of my parents?
There’s so much I don’t understand, and I’m not sure how I should be feeling right now. The first thing to come to mind is fear and paranoia. The second is a mixture of heart-clenching love and wonder. Feelings that I thought were long gone. When it comes to Cyprus, I know there’s no way I can not be in love with him. I mean, he’s still the same person I grew up having a crush on. No matter how much it hurts that he blames me for Noah.
A soft knock on the door draws me from my thoughts and I swallow my nerves down as I move across the room and open it. I recognize Rachel right away as she smiles at me, but with her are three gorgeous women who look like they could be runway models.
“Hey, Noelle,” Rachel says.
“Hi.”
“We decided to come and get you,” she explains when I don’t go further than a greeting of hello. “Figured you might be lonely sitting in here.”I nod because she’s right. Rachel points to the women with her. “This is Victoria, she’s Tracker’s ol’ lady. Next to her is Harlow, she’s Ranger’s. And next to Harlow is Tinsley, she’s Coyote’s.”
“Hey.”
“How are you doing?”
“I hope you don’t mind us coming to check on you.”
The three of them speak at the same time before looking at each other and giggling. Rachel joins them in a fit of laughter.
Um. Okay.
Victoria is the first to sober and smiles at me. “Sorry, we’ve just been wanting to meet you. Find out for ourselves about the girl who has Cyprus all wound up tight.”
“Oh, um, okay,” I whisper and fidget with my hands in front of me.
“Come on.” Tinsley steps forward and smiles. “Let’s go get some coffee, and we’ll talk in the main room.”
“Coffee does sound good.” I love the stuff but rarely get to drink it. It’s not a luxury I get to have often, and it’s usually always the last bit of the pot, if I’m lucky.
“Great, we’ll get you set up,” Rachel says, taking my hand and pulling me out of the room.
