Page 28 of Captivated

He thinks he can be sneaky by helping me indirectly.

I have my pride that’s telling me to drive it to The Aces and leave it parked there for him, but I know if I do that, he’ll probably just drive it back to my house, and back and forth we’ll go until one of us tires.

If he wants to spend an exorbitant amount of money for no reason, then who am I to stop him? Besides, it’s for my brother. If Sean wasn’t in trouble, then I would have a little fun playing with Nico. I just don’t have time for games right now.

I can’t tell Sean that it’s my car or that I’m selling it for him. He’s going to have way too many questions I don’t want to answer. He already had a lot to say about me starting to dance to make money, but I told him it’s the only chance we have to keephim alive and safe. He dropped the argument pretty quickly after that.

I wait for Sean to go upstairs again before going out to the mailbox to grab the keys and hide them in my purse. I won’t deny it’s a beautiful car, but it’ll give us a big chunk of what we need, if not all of it, if I can sell it.

Sinking back into the couch, I close my eyes. My body and mind are tired.So tired.

~ Chapter 10 ~

Cassie

I wake up early and quietly sneak out so Sean won’t see me leave in the Range Rover.

This car is nice.

In fact, I love it.

It’s too bad I can’t keep it, because she drives like a dream and I could totally see myself in the summer with the windows down, wind blowing through my hair, and music up loud as I drive to a destination yet known.

But that’s not my reality. I can’t even see past the next few days, let alone think about a summer filled with good times and sunshine.

Late last night, I found a place that will buy my car for cash as early as today, but I’m going to the closest dealer that sells Range Rovers to see how much they’ll offer me before I commit.

I sold my other car at a local used car lot, but since this one is brand new, I’m going where I can get the best deal.

“Hi, who can I talk to about selling my car? I received it as a gift but don’t want it.”

The woman at the front desk looks at me skeptically, and then looks out the window at where I just parked.

“The red one?” she asks.

“Yes. It’s not my style,” I lie. “And the person who gifted it to me refused to take it back. So, here I am.”

“I can bring you to a sales associate and they can help you with a trade so you can have something you prefer.”

“No, I don’t want to trade,” I say politely. “I want to sell it. Today. Do you not buy back cars here?”

Her brows pinch together. “We do. It’s just not a request we usually get. One moment, please. Let me get someone who can help you.”

I look around the dealership showroom and feel greatly out of place. I definitely didn’t dress to belong, but that’s nothing new for me. I don’t really belong anywhere, so why try and act like I do?

“Good morning, Miss.” A middle-aged man in a light grey suit greets me with his hand held out for me to shake.

“Good morning.”

“I hear you’re looking to sell a car you received as a gift?” he questions, and the note of suspicion in his voice isn’t lost on me.

“Yes, I am. I got it yesterday, and the paperwork is in my name, but I don’t want it. I was told I could do with it whatever I wanted, so I’m selling it. I need the money, not the car.”

He gives me a once-over, and I keep my face neutral so I don’t show my disgust. “I can help you, but I can’t guarantee sticker price. Shall we go take a look?”

“Yes.” I nod, and lead the way outside.

“Wow, she’s a beauty. How many miles on her?”

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