Page 146 of Slaughter

“My help.” He finishes my sentence. “I get you don’t want my help, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need it. Fuck, Avery.” He jumps to his feet. “You’re pushing Presleigh to seek help, but what about you?” I snort at his question. “You find out the love of your life was raped by our father. And that he fucking killed your child. And I don’t care what you say; I know that has to affect you.”

“Of course, it has,” I snap. “But that doesn’t mean I’m gonna walk away.” I stand and point a finger at him. “You told me in my office that you would stand by me.”

“That’s what I’m doing.” He hangs his head, and the room falls silent. When his eyes meet mine, I feel a pain in my chest at the way he looks at me. I know what he is about to say, but I pray he doesn’t. “You were there for me when no one else was, Avery. You saved me from the man who was supposed to protect us. I finally have the chance to help you, but you won’t let me.”

“It’s too dangerous for you. There is a reason we keep you behind the scenes.”

“But that’s not where I belong,” he argues. “Not anymore.” Shaking his head, he squares his shoulders. “It’s time we let them know they fucked with the wrong people.”

Even though I’ve never come out and said it, I’m proud of my little brother. In a world full of evil, he managed to be one of the good guys. A man who wants to rescue the helpless no matter the consequences. I nod. “What do you want to do?”

He gives me a smile. “I wanna make a call.”

_______________

I sit behind my brother’s desk, my hands folded in a prayer position on the wood. My brother stands at the front of the room, hidden underneath the TV that hangs above him. Kayn sits to the right of me on a couch. The TV before me comes on, and I sit back in my seat when the man comes into view.

“Hello, Avery,” Damon greets me. “I heard you got your toy back.” My teeth grind. “Hate to say, but I’m a little jealous.”

“You told me to call you.” Even though he text me that a while ago. “What about?” I ask him.

“You know what I want. Your slave.”

I say nothing.

He smiles at my silence. “I’ve decided to offer you …”

“She’s not for sale.”

“You keep saying that. But I have a surprise that may change your mind.”

He stands in a room with black padded walls. Chains of various lengths hang on the wall behind him. And a spanking bench is to his right. A man comes to stand beside him, and my entire body stiffens at the sight of him. I haven’t seen him in almost eleven years. Just the thought of him makes my heart race. Now the sight of him makes my skin crawl.

“Son. It’s been a long time.”

“Don’t call me that.” My voice doesn’t waver like I expected it too.

Victor chuckles. What the fuck is he doing with Damon? Did he know that we would call? This was Tristan’s idea. He wanted me to find out what it was that Damon wanted. I already knew before I made the call.

Damon slaps Victor on the back. “You know, Avery, your father showed me the tape of what he did to your little Bunny. I must say, that is why I’m offering you the extra for her.”

My hands fists, my nails digging into my palms. How many people have seen that tape of Victor raping her?

“And I must say the fact that you and your brother Tristan set her up at the party was genius. I almost believed that you wanted to treat her like a slave.”

My eyes go to Tristan, and his are full of rage. When did he find out that we were brothers? Did my father tell him? Bunny said that Victor told her we set her up. Had Damon known all along?

“And I appreciate you calling your dogs off while I was at your house. I went there intending to give you a reason not to kill me. Looks like her mom was enough.”

I slowly stand from the desk. “How did you …?”

“Did you really think I’m that stupid?” He shakes his head. “I’m not like that little bitch Preston who allows men to play him.” He tilts his head to the side. “Speaking of him, do you know where he is? I still owe that fucker revenge for the death of my brother.”

My lips pull back in a smirk. “Right? He killed him, didn’t he? Guess he was smarter than your bother. Since he was able to take him out.”

His face tightens, but Victor laughs at my statement as though I was being funny.

“Bring her,” Damon calls out.

---