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“That’s alright.” Rinsing the conditioner, I unwrap her legs from around me, my dick kicking against her sweet lips as she slowly lowers her feet to the shower floor. Grabbing my body wash, I froth up the soap before rubbing my hands across her body, washing and massaging her skin. I’d like to see her sleep a little more before she does anything else, but I know that she'll need to eat once we’re done in here.
“Do you want to tell me about the scars?” It’s posed as a question but is actually a demand.
Her shoulder lifts as she brings her hand up to trace across the faint white lines. “She used to hold me down and slice at my skin, telling me I was never going to be as perfect as her.” My brows raise, and a fire ignites my blood. “That was my mom and dad, wasn’t it?” I nod, encouraging her to speak, suspecting she’s never had the chance to be heard even before she was locked away. Her voice is rusty from lack of use. Like she’s an eighty-year-old chain smoker.
“They look older than I remember.” Cupping her cheek, I lift her head to stare down into her eyes. They’re emotionless towards the couple.
“Why did they lock you up?” She might not know the answer, but I’m curious because I do believe she has that memory locked up tight.
Blowing out a breath, her body sags against the wall as her eyes close. A tear leaks from the corner. “They used to fight. Argue over how best to use me.” That tells me everything I need to know, but I remain silent. “He wanted me pristine for sale. She wanted me scarred.” I watch her throat work as she swallows. “What does that mean?”
Ah fuck. Not the information I want to be providing her, but I won’t shut her out the way they have. I won’t leave her in a state of confusion. “Your mother was jealous of your beauty.” I brush my thumb along her jaw and bend to lift her in my arms again. “Your father, fuck…” I pause because that son of a bitch is still alive, and I’d like to carve him up. “Your father wanted you trainable. They didn’t teach you things after locking you up because they wanted whoever they sold you to, to pay top dollar. Having you malleable is the best way for that to happen.”
“I don’t understand.” But I can see she’s beginning to.
“The less literate you are, the more you are worth.” The words fucking crush me to say. “If you want a tutor, I will get you one. I’ll get you whatever you need, whatever you want.” There is nothing I won’t do for this innocent woman in my arms.
“I just want you, Nick.” Her arms wrap around my neck again, holding me tighter than I think she realizes.
“I’m yours, little one; forever, I’m yours.”
Not wanting to eat yet, I leave an exhausted Rue in our bed once again, with a shirt for her to wear once she gets up draped over the chair next to the bed and Minnie at her side. Anger pulses through my veins. Mickey tore her mother apart in the yard, and men are working to clean up the mess now in the waning sunlight.
It’s been a long fucking day, one that is nowhere near over yet. “Are you listening to me, sir?” Staring at Winston, I have the sudden urge to pop him in the mouth to shut him the fuck up. I don’t, of course. He’s a good man, never questions my authority or acts without direction. “No, Winston, I’m sorry, I’m not. What did you say?” Marco gives me a confounded look.
“I was asking if you know the meals the young lady likes. I’d like to ensure I have what she’ll want on hand.” He’s got a pen and pad at the ready, and Mickey still hasn’t stopped sniffing around the man.
“Not a fucking clue.” Just one more thing I don’t know about her. “But let’s not get carried away. She hasn’t had choices in far too fucking long. Giving her too much at once might be overwhelming.”
“Thank you, sir.” I nod. I don’t think I did a damn thing, but he’s happy, so I leave him to do what he does best.
“Actually, Winston, a Charcuterie board. Cheese, meats, crackers, a few vegetables, some fruit. That should give you a starting point.” He agrees and takes his leave. “And that pull-apart bread!” I shout after him. His chuckle follows him down the hall.
“What the fuck do these things eat?” Marco eyes Mickey warily.
“Shitty mothers?” I laugh as the cat jumps back up on my desk, acting like he’s the ruler of the fucking world. “Have you heard from Tyler about the armored car yet?”
“It’s on the way to our guy. Range Rover Defender V8 four-door,” he explains.
“Good. Make sure there’s room in the back for the cats.” I have the feeling no matter where she goes, they’ll be going, too. For a while, at least. “When will it be ready?”
“Usually, it takes a couple of weeks. I told him this is a rush job. No expense to be spared. He asked for seven days but estimates five.”
“If he gets it to me in five, give him an extra fifty grand for his trouble. But if everything is not beyond perfection, I’m coming for his fucking heart.” Mickey growls in agreement.
“Military-grade armor, boss.”
I confirm that. I don’t care that this is costing me nearly a cool million; there is nothing I won’t do to ensure Rue’s protection, and I’m sure as hell not going to keep her locked up in this house just because I always want her close. I want her to have the freedom to come and go as she pleases and be comforted in the knowledge that no matter what, she will always be safe.
“Have you reached out to Theias Lorde?” The fucking asshole. I know he won’t wait long before coming for my Rue. He paid Seeley Ricci nearly five million for the girl already. I wasn’t lying to her when I told her what her parents did was for money, and there was an infinite amount that men like us would pay for that kind of innocence.
Most want to corrupt it, however. Ruin a girl like her until she’s depleted and of no use. I want to cherish my sweet girl, give her the world, and watch her flourish. Or burn it to the ground for her…whichever she chooses.
Marco shifts on his feet. So unlike him. “I figured that might be something you’d want to do. Man like him, he’s going to want to hear from you about how you’re going to pay him back.” And I will have to pay him; the problem is it might not be in money. He’ll want something more valuable.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I notice Mickey’s ears twitch as his head pops up, and his sole focus is on the doorway. Rue and Minnie are awake.
“Call Adonis. Feel him out about what the fuck his brother might want in order to give us peace.” Marco agrees and leaves just as Minnie rounds the corner of my office, Rue right behind her with a hand attached to her collar.
