Page 18 of Lesson on Depravity

She cocks her head. “I think she’s rich. I mean the kind of rich that has permed-hair, fluffy dog, and upscale restaurant with three butlers.”

“She’s rich,” I repeat slowly, wheels in my head turning and cogs fitting together.

“I don’t know why she thinks I’m her niece, but I don’t think she’s going to come back since this isn’t the type of place she would come again after the novelty has worn off.”

Her lips turn into a frown, green eyes cast down to her lap as the twinge hurt in her eyes is the damaging evidence that this is affecting her.

“She didn’t have to act like she knows my mom and calls me her niece…” she trails off quietly.

Coco has told me that she has always wanted a family and for her parents to come back to get her so they can go home. I crushed that dream with two bullets, and I felt no remorse when the lights left their eyes.

They aren’t fit to be in her life. Their parental influence is going to be horrible no matter how they want to spin it if they were alive today. What they had done to my princess is unforgivable, and they can’t atone those mistakes in the past.

Their death was the only sliver of mercy I could give because they brought her into this world. I would have tortured them the way they put my princess in hell for all those neglected years, but the chances of anything going wrong would be significantly higher every minute they continue to breathe.

“Don’t believe what anyone says, baby. Everyone has an agenda in their mind, and they will do whatever it takes to achieve it.”

She sniffles, watery green hues gleaming in the kitchen lights. “Do you have an agenda, Daddy? Is that why you’re keeping me?”

“I’m not “keeping” you, princess.” My face sets on a scowl. “You’re with me because you love me and I love you, isn’t that right?”

She nods without a second of hesitation. “Yeah, I love Daddy.”

“My only agenda is to keep you safe, Coco. You’re everything to me, and you’re all that matters.”

She smiles, her pink lips open for a giggle. Those round cheeks turn rosy, and I run my tongue over my teeth, the sharpness of my canines cut through the exhilarating delight of fact that she is too innocent—so naïve that she’s silly.

That matters not; she has me to make up for that pureness. I’m the sin that takes the brunt of corrupted morality for her.

“I have a business to attend to, and I want you to stay here until I come to get you.” I run my hand through her hair, petting her head softly as she nods with wide eyes.

She doesn’t ask what business I have to deal with, nor does she overstep her boundaries of blissful ignorance. Coco knows better than to question my actions no matter how bad they are because I always take action with a purpose behind them.

“Hurry back,” she whispers.

I promise her with a long kiss against her plump lips. I’m spellbound to her sweetness, it calms the blood-curdling monster inside of me, but it awakens the lustful beast at the same time.

It’s a battle with the rational side of me.

“I’ll have food brought to you.” I give her one last kiss on the forehead before heading out.

I can still see her through the diamond-shaped window on the kitchen door, and she’s sitting there, tapping on her phone with a game on her screen.

Turning to the bartender, I motion him to come closer. He puts the glass down that he was cleaning and hold the towel in his hands.

“Aye, boss. What’d you need?”

I tip my head to the kitchen. “No one goes in, and make sure she doesn’t leave.”

He nods. “I’ll keep her busy with food.”

With my approval, he goes back to work, and I leave the bar. The car has already started with Tito in the driver seat, window down and smoking another cigarette.

“Thought I was going have to wait until the next blue moon.”

I click my tongue at him as my men at the back seats greet me. “Shut up and drive.”

Tito hums the popular yet old song, and I honestly have to focus on not rolling my eyes at him. Every gangster-wannabe pumps their car with low bass and loud rap music, but Tito chooses to test out his high vocals.

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