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Our father hadn’t let Zara go to college, and I’d run off before I had the chance. But it hadn’t stopped my sister from learning on her own.
She’d fallen in love with computers like I had with drawing. She rebuilt them and designed programs while I sketched. She could’ve been an asset to my father if he didn’t believe women were beneath him.
I threw my lipstick back in my small beaded clutch next to my sketchbook and pencils before I grasped her hands. I squeezed tightly, trying to give her all my comfort and strength. She needed it more than I did. “Are you ready?”
She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. “I’ll be fine. It gets me away from him, right?”
“Right.” I smiled, but I could feel the crack around the edges.
I would do everything in my power to ensure she would be safe in her marriage. If I had to use that video of my father to blackmail him again, I would. I hadn’t protected her enough growing up. Then I’d made it worse by getting pregnant.
Zara had to be everything I wasn’t. She had to make up for my failings. I wouldn’t let her suffer anymore.
We looped our arms together as we walked down the stairs. I could almost pretend we were going to prom or a charity gala, something normal. Instead of a party where my sister would be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
As we reached the bottom of the stairs, I noticed Britney in a sequined red dress. She smiled as she fixed my father’s tie. I shouldn’t have been surprised that he was going to bring a date young enough to be his daughter. He probably thought it made him look younger instead of just pathetic.
“Finally.” He grumbled as we joined them in the hall. “We’re going to be late.”
His steps echoed on the tile as he walked around us. Inspecting us like he’d done a hundred times before. We were expected to look a certain way whenever we left the house for any event because we represented him.
He nodded his approval at Zara, but his gaze lingered on me. Acid churned in my stomach as his lip curled. I took pleasure in his disapproval. I was here to help my sister, not get in good with my father.
“You could at least wash that shit off your hands.” He snarled. I bit my tongue to stop from yelling back.
I could scrub at them all day, but when you sketched as much as I did, there was no getting the stains out. When I was younger, I did everything I could to avoid them because if I didn’t, I’d have to listen to his screams. To the vicious taunts.
I’d have to watch as he searched my room for my drawings. Then he’d tear them to pieces in front of me as he called me talentless. Useless.
“Honey.” Britney ran a hand down his chest as she sighed sympathetically at us. “You’ll have to excuse his attitude. It’s a big day for him. He’s nervous.”
“Why should he be? He’s not the one selling his body.” I spoke casually as I walked towards the front door. Knowing my words would never really have an effect on him.
“Ariella.” Britney gasped. “Don’t be like that.”
“I’m notbeinglike anything.” I opened the door but turned back to them. “I just want to remind him that it’s his daughter who should be nervous. She’s the one making the sacrifice here.”
My father’s face reddened as he closed the distance between us. I could almost feel the rage coming off him, heating the cool night air around us. He shoved his finger in my face, but I didn’t back down. I was here to protect Zara, and that’s what I would do.
“Don’t even think about disrespecting me tonight.” He snapped. “I gave you life, and I can take it away.”
“You do like to take away life, don’t you?” My head jerked to the side at the sound of Adam’s voice.
“What are you doing here?” My own wavered as I stared at him. The fear I didn’t feel for my father coursed through my veins now.
There was nothing left my father could do to me. He’d already taken everything. And I had weapons to use against him. But Adam… he could still hurt me. Still held a power over me, I wished I could explain.
He’d hurt me the other day. Just his presence made my chest ache. Made my heart yearn for things that were long gone.
“I’m your ride.” He answered, pointing to the two limos behind him. My throat closed at the mere thought of being close to him.
I wished I could say it was because of what he’d done. But I feared it was because I wanted him to do it again. I could already feel my body heating just being near him. Wetness pooled between my thighs as I stared at him, looking like a fucking movie star in his tux.
It was all black; tux, shirt, and tie. Somehow, it made his blue eyes even brighter. It molded to him like he’d been born to wear one. Clinging to his muscles in all the right places. I hated myself for reacting
“You can follow us.” My father grunted as Zara and Britney came out of the house. They headed straight for the waiting vehicles. But when I tried to follow, strong fingers gripped my wrist, stopping me.
“You’re with me,nightling.” I gasped at the old nickname. My heart tightened in response. Or maybe it was the sarcasm in his voice when he said it. The contempt that dripped from the word.
