Page 2 of That Emerald Vow

“What did you say?” She stops laughing immediately and glares at me.

“Nothing,” I say. My eyes dart to Whitey, whose brows are furrowed in concern. “Can I go home now?”

“We aren’t pressing charges. But we’re concerned, as this isn’t his first offense.”

If only he knew the extent of the other, worse things I’ve had to sell at school for money to help feed myself and my younger sister.

“I’ll talk to him. He’ll be fine.” She rolls her eyes. “Come on, Day,” she says, turning around to walk out the door.

“Ms. Hayes, I am concerned with—” Whitey starts.

She abruptly turns back and glares. “We aren’t a charity case. You think I can’t take care of my kids.”

“I—no, ma’am. But we would love to be of support if you want or need it.” His tone is sincere, and he’s looking at me when he says it. Whitey knows what we’re up against with my mother. But his hands are tied when it comes to me breaking the law. I’m lucky he cuts me as much slack as he does.

She scoffs. “We don’t. Hurry the fuck up, Day. I have . . . plans.” With that, she leaves the room and never looks back.

I drag my chair out, which makes a loud, screeching sound, and start heading out.

Before I make it to the door, Whitey grabs my arm gently and hands me a card. “In case you ever need anything.”

I grab the card from him, not realizing that this small gesture would be a lifeline one day.

Iswipe down to smooth my dress as I walk to the bathroom mirror, enjoying the feel of the silk on my fingertips. Looking at my reflection, I reapply my deep wine lipstick and rub my lips together to make sure it’s even. Once I’m satisfied with how it looks, I smile with a big, beaming grin. “Perfect.”

Now that I am flawlessly presentable, I head out of the bathroom to the man who I’ve had my eye on for the past hour at the pub. He has black hair with a physique that would have Jack Reacher weeping. His brown eyes have been roaming the area to find his next conquest, never landing on me, as I have been keeping to the shadows until I was ready. I can feel his eyes roam up and down my body as I walk past him back to the bar, making sure to sway my hips.

I scoff internally.Boys.They are so fucking easy to control.

Sitting next to him, I lean over to make sure my breasts are further accentuated in my low-cut dress as I flag down the bartender. From my periphery, I see the guy’s eyes widen with desire.

Once the bartender gets to me, I whisper my drink order to him, making him smirk. “Nice choice,” he says as he places a coaster in front of me. “Comingright up.” He chuckles as he goes to make my drink, earning a giggle. I appreciate a man who knows to be playful but not pushy.

“Hello, sexy,” rasps Jack 2.0 after waiting a few beats to approach me. “Can I buy you a drink?”

The bartender returns with my drink a moment later. “One Absolutely Horny for the lady.”

Picking up the cocktail glass, I turn to Jack 2.0 and his lust-filled eyes.

“Absolutely horny, huh?” he asks predatorily.

I smirk at him. “You can pay for this drink.” His eyes light up at the thought. “But you have to help me with the other part too.” I trail my hand up my thigh, letting my dress slip upward just before reaching my core as I seductively take a sip of my drink.Mmm,it’s actually really good.

He licks his lips before saying, “That can definitely be arranged. My name’s Landon, by the way.”

I giggle in response. Little does he know that was information I already knew. Little Landon has been a bad, bad man, and I’ve come to put him in his place.

His eyes continue to roam my body as I see him shuffle to conceal his forming semi.

Refusing to give him my name, I say, “Good. How about we get you another drink”—I nod towards his empty whiskey glass—“while I finish this one.” He just wants sex, and I plan to use that to my advantage.

“Sounds like a plan, darling.” He puts his hand on my knee, and I smile at him even though my insides feel like there are maggots crawling around in them.

“Charlotte, darling. How’s my favorite girl?” I hear a voice call as the floorboards squeak with each step he takes into the room.

I rapidly blink my eyes, trying to get my vision to adjust, as the room is dark. “Uncle Demetri? What time is it?” I ask, my voice coming out groggy. My parents and my uncle went to some big banquet. Being ten years old, Idon’t remember the details very well.

“It’s almost midnight. I came back to relieve the babysitter and relieve . . .” He mumbles the rest under his breath. “Your parents decided to stay behind for a bit longer. But I figured we could have a chance to play together.” I feel the edge of the bed dip under his weight. My eyes start to adjust, and I can see he’s wearing one of those fancy suits, but he took his jacket and tie off already.

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