Page 84 of Peyton's Price

“No, I meant when we were held captive,” Peyton said, the realization she had been mistaken setting in. “You don’t know what I’m talking about, do you?”

This wasn’t the teenager from the sex-trafficker’s dungeon.

“No,” the girl said in a low voice. “I’m sorry you were kidnapped. But I don’t know you. We’ve never met.”

Peyton wanted to sink through the floor. “Yeah, I realize that now. It’s just that your face was so familiar. I apologize for freaking you out.”

“You didn’t. I’m sorry for what happened to you.” She stopped, then swore in an unfamiliar language. “I thought I had it bad, but it is nothing compared to your situation.”

Peyton waved dismissively. “I’m fine now. Better than I have any right to be, but I mistook you for someone else partly because of how sad you look. Err…is that man you were with your boyfriend?”

The girl shrugged. “I don’t think I can call Omer that. But I do have sex with him.”

“Oh.” Peyton shifted awkwardly, wondering what she should say, but, apparently, the dam had broken.

“He has many other girls, or at least he used to,” the girl continued. “My mother was one of them, but she left a few months ago. He gave her a lot of money to leave me behind.”

Fuck. “I’m so sorry.”

The girl shrugged, drying her tears. “It could be worse. One of my mother’s other boyfriends liked sharing her. At least Omer doesn’t make me do that.”

Peyton swore aloud. “Honey, how old are you?”

“Eighteen. Well, almost. My birthday is in two weeks.”

Peyton swallowed hard, forcing her hands to her sides. She wanted to march into that living room and beat the shit out of sweaty little Omer.Or better yet, I can drive my stiletto into his eye socket.

Except public and bloody murder would only get her arrested, and this girl would still be in trouble.

Peyton put her arm around her. “What is your name?”

“Anisa.”

“Okay, Anisa. I’m Peyton. It’s nice to meet you.” She waited for the girl’s nod of acknowledgment before continuing. “Can I ask you something? Is your mother coming back for you?”

It took Anisa a long time to answer. “I think not. Now that I’m an adult, I don’t think she will return. She’s been on her own since she was thirteen, and she always said I was spoiled because she stayed so much longer than that.”

“And do you want to stay with Omer?” Peyton asked, finally getting to the point.

Anisa hesitated. “I do. He’s not so bad.”

“Is it because he treats you well or because you have nowhere else to go?”

The girl stayed silent.

Peyton took both Anisa’s hands in her own. “If you’re afraid to leave him because you have no resources, I can help you.”

She hadn’t ever used the allowance Matthias had provided her, but she could now. There was more than enough to help fund this girl’s escape.

“It’s more complicated than that,” Anisa confessed. “He has my papers—my passport. Also, he would be angry if I left. He paid a lot of money for me, and he doesn’t like to be cheated.”

Son of a bitch.Peyton thought quickly. “I think I can fix that, too. I know a woman with experience giving people like you a whole new life. If I’m right, that means a new identity and new documents. I can also float you some cash to get you started.”

Priya would do this for Peyton. She was sure of it. Anisa needed help. Matthias, on the other hand, might not be so sanguine. He didn’t want anything to do with rescues anymore.

“I—I’m not sure,” Anisa said in a low voice. “I don’t know how to do anything. A loan is not an income, and I have no skills. I never finished school.”

Peyton cocked her head, considering. “You know, without that makeup, you would look years younger. I bet we can get you into high school just by shaving a few years off your passport.”

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