Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 91560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“I’m finished for the day. Do you have time now for me to take you to get the car?”
He nods and stands. “I knew having a son old enough to drive would pay off one day.” No matter how he tries to laugh off the mood I caught him in, I’m not going to forget that easily. Even if I know better than to mention it again.
2
MAYA
Istand in front of my full-length mirror and stare at myself. My strawberry blond hair falls in heavy curls down my shoulders. The light blue summer dress I’m wearing goes to right below my knees, leaving enough fabric to cover my marked skin at the top of my thighs.
Usually, I prefer wearing pants to cover everything up completely, but it’s a warm day out, and I’m only going one place today. I also don’t want people to notice that I’m always wearing pants because that would look suspicious, or at least that’s what I’m telling myself as I tug on the hem of the dress.
There is always the fear in the back of my mind that the dress could rise up and someone could notice. Pushing that fear down, I wipe my hands down the pretty dress and lock eyes with my reflection.
There is not much life left in them; no emotions are staring back, only the numbness that has a hold on me. I’ve been feeling numb for four years now, but who’s counting? All I know is that there is only one way to feel something and the evidence of that is painted on my skin in the most brutal way.
I force the corners of my lips up into a wide smile as I scan my face in the mirror. I give myself a proud nod. My fake smile is so good if I didn’t know better, I’d believe it myself. Maybe it’s the small dimples in my cheeks that fool everyone when I make myself grin.
Giving myself a once over one last time, I peel myself away from the mirror and grab my purse before leaving my room.
I make my way through the house and downstairs, hoping I won’t run into my father. I almost make it to the front door before his voice calls out for me.
“Maya. Is that you?” He comes around the corner and spots me. “Where are you going?” he asks, keeping his voice gentle as if he was simply concerned for my wellbeing.
I grind my teeth together so I won’t let out a snort. “Just going to see Wren. They invited me to dinner at their house,” I explain, while hiding my annoyance.
My father has never been keen on me having friends, something I didn’t understand until two years ago. My father has no idea I overheard that phone call on my sixteenth birthday. He has no idea that I know his overprotectiveness is nothing more than the need to control me.
“All right then.” He nods and smiles. “Don’t be out late. You know I don’t like it when you drive at night.”
“Of course, I’ll be home before dark,” I say, before turning away from him.
“Love you, pumpkin,” he calls after me.
His words feel like a slap to my face and mine are like acid on my tongue. “Love you too, Dad.”
I don’t know why he insists on putting on this show, this fake life of a happy family, when in reality he didn’t care about me. If he did, he wouldn’t have planned to sell my virginity two years ago.
I know I’m not supposed to bother my father in his office when he is working, but today is my birthday, and I’m tired of waiting for him to take me to dinner.
When I get to his door, I raise my hand to knock when his harsh voice comes through the door.
“She is sixteen now, and I need the money, Lucian.”
My hand freezes in midair. Is he talking about me?
“You said there is wiggle room on the age if we do it downstairs,” my father says.
I hold my breath and keep listening.
“Yes, I’m sure downstairs will be fine…. I’ll send her to a doctor and prove that she is a virgin before the auction.”
My body is frozen, but my heart threatens to beat out of my chest. He wouldn’t… he just can’t. I must have misheard or misunderstood.
“Oh, and one more thing. I’ll be at Purgatory tomorrow night. Please have my usual room ready.”
There are no more words said after, but it takes me a few more moments before I can make my legs move down the hall.
I shake the cruel memory away and step outside. The warm late summer air greets me, and I suck in a greedy breath.
That night I went back to my room and searched Purgatory online. It was a sex club about an hour from here.