Page 90 of They All Own Me

"Blood splatter in the office," Connor says, closing his laptop. "Your torn clothing, signs of struggle. The kind of things that make cops look real hard at a husband when his wife goes missing."

"And Thomas's alibi for the morning I disappeared is shit," I say, understanding dawning.

"Exactly." Dom nods. "Add in the ransom video where he failed to contact authorities, plus his suspicious behavior since you've been gone..."

"They'll nail his ass to the wall," Isaac concludes, a satisfied smirk playing at his lips.

I drum my fingers on the table, processing. "And me?"

"Officially?" Connor says. "You'll be presumed dead. Missing person case turned homicide. Thomas goes down for it."

I twist my coffee mug between my palms, the warmth seeping into my bruised knuckles. "What about my parents?"

Connor's eyes meet mine over his laptop. "Well, we contacted your brother James."

"You what?" The mug slips, coffee sloshing. "He must be freaking out-"

"He's fine," Dom cuts in. "Actually helped us dig up some interesting stuff on your parents."

Issac slides a folder across the table. "Turns out daddy dearest wasn't just selling you off - he's been running quite the operation."

My hands shake as I flip through the pages. Bank statements. Offshore accounts. Emails. "Money laundering?"

"Among other things," Connor says. "Your brother's really good with computers. Found a trail linking your father to at leastsix other arranged marriages. All to politicians or businessmen with questionable ethics."

"He was selling girls?" My stomach turns. The pancakes suddenly feel like lead.

"More like facilitating 'strategic alliances,'" Dom's voice drips with disgust. "Your mother handled the social connections, your father managed the finances. They've been doing it for years."

"James found enough evidence to put them away for a long time," Isaac adds. "Federal prosecutors are already building a case."

I push the folder away, unable to look at it anymore. "Good. That's what they deserve."

"You sure? This is a lot… all at once." Dom says, genuine concern in his eyes.

"Never been more positive. Karma is a bitch." I say with a forced grin, ready to table this conversation to one of more importance to me.

I push my coffee mug away and turn to Connor. "What was that about news you mentioned yesterday?"

Connor shakes his head, his dark hair falling into his eyes. "Later. When you're feeling better-"

"No." My palm slaps against the table. "Life's too damn short for later. I just spent twenty-four hours thinking I was going to die. I need to know now."

"We wanted to make it more... special," Dom says, exchanging glances with the others.

"Special?" I bark out a laugh. "I'm sitting here in borrowed sweats, eating burnt pancakes, covered in bruises. My parents are criminals, and I'm officially dead. What could possibly need to be more special?"

Isaac reaches for my hand but I pull away. "Don't coddle me. Just tell me what's going on."

"She's got a point," Connor says to the others. "No time like the present."

"I don't give a shit about the perfect moment or whatever you're planning." My voice cracks. "I just need something real. Please."

Dom leans forward, his expression serious. "You're right. You deserve to know."

"Then spill it." I cross my arms, "what's so important that you're all dancing around it?"

Dom's intense gaze meets mine across the table. "We need to tell you something important. All of us do."

---