AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Huh. Yeah, I'll get someone to help clean the puke." He disappeared again.
"Why are we here?" Ashley's chin trembled.
"I don't know, honey, but at least we're together. We'll have the mess handled, then we'll see if you can tolerate some food. It might make you feel better."
Minutes later, a middle-aged woman showed up with cleaning supplies. Burly let her into the cell, and she took care of the vomit in the corner. I felt sorry for her. What a shitty job, and if all the young women were drugged at one time or another, she probably had a lot to clean up. Then I remembered that she was privy to the hell that was going on around her, yet she never sought help. I stopped feeling bad for her.
My mind wandered to Zayne, and a sob escaped my throat as I looked down to the floor. How could I have spent an amazing day with him, then in seconds lose him … forever? Anger steered my thoughts as I swore that I would kill Donovan myself. My parents would be next. It was now clear that my mother and father had never been on my side. I’d never been a daughter to them, just an avenue to make money. They had all turned on me, and their twisted, sick betrayal gave me power and fueled my revenge.
"Feel better, hon," the lady said to Ashley.
An ugly, bitter feeling in my chest washed over me with a vengeance the moment the woman shut the door.
I sat down next to Ashley, then turned her back to me. "Do you want some braids?"
"Okay." She shifted, probably trying to get comfortable on the hard floor. "Giselle?"
"Yeah, baby?" I separated her long dark hair into sections.
"Who was the man with you when you visited me at school? He always stood by a black car and wore sunglasses."
My heart skipped a sorrowful beat. "He was the love of my life, but he's gone now." I choked on my words as tears stung my eyes.
"Where did he go?"
My throat tightened, and I sniffled while I began to braid her hair. "A very bad man killed him," I gritted out.
Ashley looked over her shoulder at me. "I remember now. Donovan and Daddy were talking about him before Donovan stuck a needle in my arm."
My heart raced, my breathing coming fast and rapid. I wiped the moisture from my face. "They are really awful men."
She spun around with wide eyes. "Daddy and our brother?"
"Yeah. I tried to protect you as long as I could." Reaching out, I stroked her cheek. "You shouldn't be here with me. You should be with your friends at school, having fun."
"I don't understand why I'm here." Ashley's emotions were trapped inside her tense stare.
"Me either. I'm sure we'll find out soon enough. Hey, you're almost twelve. Have you started your period yet?"
"Yeah. I've had four already."
I bit my lip, holding the swell of feelings in. My head hung down, and I released Ashley's hair, my hands balling into fists. I suspected I knew precisely why Ashley was here. They were prepping her to be sold. I cringed, unsure what that would look like for her, but I knew it couldn't fucking happen.
As soon as I completed the thought, footsteps approached, then our door opened. Burly stepped in and helped Ashley up.
"You're coming with me."
"No!" I flung myself at him, clawing at his cheeks. He tossed me off like I was a ragdoll, and I landed with a thud. I scrambled off the floor, then hurled myself at him again, but he quickly blocked me from reaching my sister, then removed his handgun from beneath this shirt and trained it on me.Goddammit, I won’t do either of us any good if I’m dead.
"Giselle! Don't let them take me!" she screamed, nearly hysterical as she bucked and scratched the man.
"Be strong, baby. I'll see you in a bit." I could only hope that they would bring her back.
I crouched in the corner, my chest heaving as Burly escorted her down the hall, then out of view.
43
Giselle
