Page 31 of Brutal Savage

I have ten grand saved up. Maybe that would be enough.

His laughter is as harsh as his eyes. “You’re a good daughter to try to get your father out of this mess, even though he doesn’t deserve it. You see, your father has already provided us with a workable solution. It’s why you’re here.”

Goose bumps prickle my skin.

“Me? How would I be the solution?” Panic clutches my throat, choking me. “Dad?”

He doesn’t say a word. Can barely look at me.

Jerry comes forward, throwing an arm around my shoulders.

My gut gnaws. I never disliked Jerry…until now.

“I’ve always had a thing for you, Evelyn,” he drawls.

My lungs grow heavy with the weight of my frozen breaths.

“So when your father offered you as payment for the five hundred K he couldn’t pay back, I couldn’t say no.”

“What?” A sudden weakness hits my knees and my head spins, but he holds me up. “No, please!” I shake my head, begging him not to do this to me. “I’m not some object you people can barter with!”

Do I mean so little to my father for him to offer me as payment?

“You don’t have a choice in the matter,” Isaac says. “The deal has been made. It’s the only reason your useless father is still alive. You’re leaving with us. So don’t fight it.”

He runs his knuckles down my cheek, and my insides curl.

“But don’t you worry. Since I’m a good man, I’ll let you continue working and become the teacher you’ve always dreamed of becoming. Nothing will change.”

Yet that’s a lie.

Everything already has.

The room spins, my heart physically hurting.

“We’ll arrange for your things to be picked up from your apartment today.”

“No! I won’t go with you!” Unspeakable agony engulfs me, swallowing me whole.

This can’t be happening. I look to my father for help, and he lowers his head instead.

“How can you do this?” I scream with a cry, but he continues to ignore me. “Do I truly mean so little to you?”

“He didn’t even put up a fight,” Isaac adds, digging the betrayal in deeper. “He offered you to us in whatever capacity we wanted to use you, just so we’d spare his life. And I am a man of my word, so I will let him live.” He grabs my jaw and glares. “But one disobedience from you, and I will kill your entire family. Do you understand?”

I nod, tears dripping down my face, knowing I can’t fight them.

Isaac palms my shoulder and squeezes. “My son has a gift for you.”

I want nothing from them. Nothing except my freedom.

Jerry reaches into his pocket and retrieves a black jewelry box, and my eyes grow. When he opens it, a large solitaire diamond shines through.

“I don’t understand…” I whisper.

“Oh, we forgot to mention the other part of your father’s deal. In exchange for letting him live, my son will marry you.”

He tugs my hand in his, and I wince.

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