Page 2 of Strider's Misstep

I don’t hesitate. “What can I do?” I’ve just graduated, no debts to my name as, of course, my father paid for the tuition and costs. With all the opulence surrounding him, I hadn’t even thought about it twice. But now it seems maybe he overstretched himself and couldn’t really afford it. I’d been selfishly taking some time to myself before entering the job market. But now I’ve got to think like an adult and accelerate finding employment. “I’ll get a job.”

He glances at me incredulously. “You wouldn’t be able to earn enough.” I open my mouth to protest, then shut it, knowing he’s probably right and that it’s only him who knows the size of the black hole in our finances. Raising his glass to his lips, he drains the liquid into his mouth, then picks up the bottle and tops off his glass. I frown, wondering when he turned to drink and worrying about the state of his liver.

After taking yet another large sip, he places the glass down. He starts to speak but only manages a squeak, then again noisily clears his throat. I fidget in my seat. He’s really starting to worry me. Are we going to have to sell our house? Sure, it’s ostentatious and too large for just the two of us, but it’s always been home and holds memories of a happier time with my mother.

“Dad,” I prompt, my voice unsteady. “How are we going to get out of this?”

His eyes narrow, his brow furrows, and he blinks rapidly. I can’t remember him ever looking so sad and unsure of himself.“You’re going to have to help me out. You’ve always been a good girl, Katrina. And now I need you to do what I ask. It’s all been arranged…” His voice trails off.

After a few seconds, I encourage him again. “What has?” There’s a sinking pit in my stomach warning me I’m not going to like what I’m about to hear.

“Your marriage to Barclay Aster.”

What? I’m tempted to wiggle my fingers in my ears to make sure there’s nothing wrong with my hearing. But instead, I ask him to repeat himself. “What did you just say?”

His hands form fists so tight I can see his knuckles turn white. “I was looking for an investor, and Aster stepped up. But the money kept leaking out of the business. I can’t afford to pay him back.” Glancing at me, he then quickly turns away, as if unable to meet my eyes. “Aster’s offered me a deal. He’ll give me more time to pay and reduce the debt owing, but his price is you.”

My mouth drops open. He’s proposing to use me? “I’m not for sale.” I stand, my intention to walk out the door. I’d do a lot to help my father, but sacrificing my life to an unknown man isn’t the way to do it.

“Stop,” he snaps with, enough authority for me to pause. “Barclay Aster isn’t the man I thought he was. He’s got mob connections and has threatened me and you. I’ve got life insurance that means he could recoup his money if I was dead, but living, I’ve nothing else to offer him.”

The “but you” is unspoken. Nothing he says makes me feel any better. “You’re giving me to a gangster?” I open my eyes wide.

Dad’s words flow out fast. “He’s not an actual gangster.” He scoffs, but I’m not convinced of the sincerity of that statement as he continues, “In business, he’s ruthless, but he’s a personableman. He’s promised me he’d treat you well, and I’ve no reason to disbelieve him.”

What could I have done? Don’t all children think their parents want to do their best by them? Of course, the man I’d met the night before played on my mind, but there had been no guarantee that would have gone anywhere. I’d never seen my father so distraught, and I think part of me wanted to impress him, to step up and help him out.

He’d worn me down. I’d never seen my father scared before. He’d convinced me there was no other way to save his business, and as for that threat to his life? What could I have done other than make that fatal decision when I’d agreed to at least meet Barclay?

Prior to the meeting, in my mind, I’d conjured up a man as old as the hills who wasn’t able to get a woman to marry him in the normal way. But I’d been pleasantly surprised to find a man just fifteen years older than me, and much as my father had described him, a personable, affable man. He kept himself in shape and had a rugged handsomeness that wasn’t unattractive. While not quick to smile, on the initial meeting, there wasn’t much to complain about him. He was polite, attentive, and persuasive as he attempted to woo me. He’d successfully pulled the wool over not just my father’s but my own eyes.

Against my better judgment, I gave in to Dad’s pleas, but not without a few caveats and promises I made to myself. I’d gotten the contraceptive implant, which would give me three years before I had to worry about getting pregnant. That would give Dad some time to get his finances sorted out, and, if I found I couldn’t love Barclay, then I could get a divorce and find a man I’d chosen for myself.

I wasn’t a virgin. I hadn’t been saving myself. I knew about sex or thought I had until our wedding night when I got my first glimpse of who the man I’d committed myself to really was. Hewas both cruel and selfish. Our intimate life was never about me and all about him.

I wanted out almost immediately. But it soon became apparent Barclay had no plans to allow me to leave. He kept me close with death threats to my father and ensured my compliance by giving me a security team that followed me wherever I went.

Except into the building my father owned. After all, Dad’s existence depended on me staying Barclay’s wife, so my husband knew Dad wouldn’t help me escape.

I didn’t pretend. Dad knew how bad my life was.

I never told Barclay I was protected about getting pregnant, even though his one goal in life apparently was to ensure that I carried his baby.

After two years, he blamed me for being barren. He punished me in a way only a cruel man like him could. He allowed any of his men who wanted to to rape me. And, of course, they all did.

Oh God.My breath catches in my chest.How did it come to this?There’s no way out.

“Katrina?” While I’d been lost in my musings, my father had obviously finished whatever document he’d been studying and had noticed me. As I look up, his eyes shutter as he takes in the latest damage to my face that even the most expensive makeup can’t cover. Barclay gave up years ago pretending he treated me with any respect.

“Have you made any progress?” The only news I want from him is that he’s managed to make enough money to cover what he owes. My remaining hope is that if he repays his debt, Barclay will let me go.

His hands shake as he reaches for the inevitable glass of whisky. In the last couple of years, there’s no denying he’s turned to drink, verging just one step away from being an alcoholic. “He keeps adding on more interest.”

I was hoping for a different response. Seeing my father as a shadow of his former self and knowing the decline in myself, I decide there’s nothing to be said, and I rise and go to the door. There’s nothing for me here. I might as well go.

“Wait!” He comes over and places his hand on my shoulder. Without turning me around and speaking to my back, he starts speaking fast. “There’s enough cash in the safe to get you started. You can take the service lift and go out the back way. Along with the money, you’ll find a set of car keys, and outside, there’s a non-descript car that Barclay won’t be looking for…”

What is he saying?I swing around, my mouth opening and shutting before I pull myself together enough to ask. “What are you talking about?” My brain computes his words, and I shake my head when his meaning sinks in. “I can’t leave. If I go, he’ll kill you.”

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