Page 60 of Deadliest Throne

“Saw on the news you died. Clearly that's a lie. Sadly.”

He glares at me, nostrils flaring. “I wanted the world to think I was dead. No one pays attention to the dead. And for the things I have planned, it’s better no one thinks to look my way.”

“Let me guess, you’re gonna take over the world?” I joke.

“You make jokes, but you don’t know what I’m capable of.”

“I know the world thinks you're some billionaire CEO who donates to charities. But I know that’s all a front. You're evil. As evil as they come. It’s why mom wanted me far, far away from you.”

“Your mother is a spineless bitch. She didn’t care about the money, the power. She could have had everything!” he yells. “And she threw it all away.”

Anger fuels my veins. “My mother is a brave, strong woman. You’re a sick fucker who thought he could rent his kid out to his nasty old friends. Found out the hard way that you sold me. Not very fatherly, is it? Good thing he’s dead and gone. My men made sure of it.”

“Your men,” he chuckles. “Nothing but little boys trying to act like men.”

“Boys you haven’t been able to find. Boys who’ve bested you for years. Boys who’ve kept me hidden, safe and cared for.” I raise a brow.

“Enough.” He waves me off. “I don’t want to look at your face longer than I have to. I just wanted to see your face when I give you the news of your new fate.”

“And what's that? You're going to sell me off to some man, keep my baby until she’s old enough and then sell her too?”

“No,” he chuckles. “Not at all. I can't keep any child. As you can see, I’m in no shape for that. I have bigger things to worry about getting put into place before I pass. Yes, you and your baby will be sold off along with your sister. You all just so happen to be the payment my business partners want. And you can be their problem now.”

“What do you mean?” my brows furrow. “You went through all this for nothing? You spent years trying to find me, why?”

“Because your bitch of a mother tried to best me. She took my property! And the person I sold you to was on my ass for what belonged to him. When I found out he died, I knew I could take you back and get a better deal. And I did. Hope you know Russian.” He laughs like he told the funniest joke. “Because you're leaving tonight.”

“No,” I whisper. “You can't do that.”

Fear. Real, pure terror fills me. Fuck, fuck! If they take me somewhere now, how will the guys find me? I can’t leave. God, this can’t be happening.

“I can, and I have.” He stands up and walks over to me slowly. “You’ve been nothing but a pain in my ass from the moment you were born. Why couldn’t you have been a boy? I could have left everything to you.” He sighs, shaking his head. He reaches down and grabs a handful of my hair. I scream out in pain as he gets in my face. “What I got was a stupid whore who’s only good for opening her legs. You are worth nothing. You will never be anything but a bargaining chip. And now that I’ve finally found you, I will die happy knowing I’ve brought you and your stupid little boys down to their knees.”

“Fuck you!” I yell before spitting in his face.

He’s fast, his hand cracks against my face in a flash. My cheek stings, tears filling my eyes.

“You stupid bitch,” he chuckles, wiping his face. “I can’t wait to tell them their little Raven is gone before I put a bullet between their eyes. To see the looks on their faces when they realize they’re too late. You see, they’re looking for you, Raven, but they can’t find you. No one ever will.”

I'm shaking, trying to hold back tears. I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me break.

“Edward!” he shouts.

The door opens, and my father lets go of my hair, pushing me back. “Take her back to her room. Make sure she and Dynika are ready to go to their new homes tonight.”

“Yes, sir.”

Edward grabs my arm and yanks me to my feet.

I say nothing as I silently stumble my way back to my room. I want to scream, to cry, to fight back. God! Why is this happening to me?

Come on, guys, please find me. Please, find me before it’s too late.

Chapter 18

Quinton

“We go the rest of the way on foot,” Titus calls out.

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