Page 2 of Protecting Lanie

“Mission accomplished,” Kane said, clapping Archer on the shoulder. “At least for tonight.”

Archer’s jaw clenched as he stared at the burning building. “Not for me,” he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Reyna stepped closer, her hand brushing his arm. “We’ll find her, Archer. We’ll find Meri. And we’ll end DeLuca and his Master’s Market.”

He didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the horizon where DeLuca’s van had disappeared. The night was far from over. And as the embers of the warehouse glowed in the darkness, Archer made a silent vow: he would tear DeLuca’s empire apart brick by brick, no matter the cost.

LANIE

One Year Ago

Boston, Massachusetts

The apartment smelled like danger. She wasn’t sure what danger smelled like, but this had to be it. Lanie didn’t know how else to describe it. The faint, metallic scent of Vinnie’s gun seemed to hang in the air, mingling with the cloying scent of Vinnie’s cologne and something else. Fear? She stood frozen in the dim living room, her hands clutching the strap of her purse as she watched him pour two glasses of whiskey. Although his movements were casual and fluid, Lanie Cross saw through them. There was something simmering beneath his cool facade tonight. Something darker than usual.

“Relax, baby,” Vinnie said, his smile slick as he offered her a glass. “You’re wound tighter than a clock.”

Lanie hesitated before taking it, her fingers brushing against his for the briefest second. She hated that she still flinched at his touch, hated that her body betrayed her even when her instincts screamed to run. But where would she go? She had nowhere. No one.

She swallowed hard. “You said you wanted to talk,” she said, keeping her voice steady despite the knot in her throat. “What’s going on, Vinnie?”

He chuckled, taking a sip from his glass as he leaned against the edge of the couch. His dark eyes raked over her, sharp and assessing. “Straight to the point. That’s what I love about you, Lanie.” He gestured toward her with the glass. “That, and that you’re perfect. Too perfect to waste flipping pancakes at some greasy diner.”

Her stomach churned. She didn’t trust compliments from Vinnie. They always came with a hook. “I don’t mind my job,” she said carefully. “It pays the bills.”

“Come on, sweetheart. You think I don’t know you’re better than that?” He pushed off the couch and moved toward her, circling her like a predator stalking its prey. “You’ve got this…innocence about you. It’s intoxicating. Hell, it’s exactly what the right man would pay a fortune for.”

Her breath hitched, and she took a step back. “What are you talking about?”

Vinnie smirked, setting his glass down on the coffee table. “I’m talking about opportunity, baby. For both of us.” He tilted his head, his gaze narrowing. “I’ve been investing in you, haven’t I? Helping you become the woman you’re meant to be?”

Her pulse thundered in her ears. She thought back to the nights he’d coaxed her into wearing clothes that felt too revealing, the times he’d pushed her boundaries in ways that left her questioning herself. He’d called it “helping her grow.” She’d called it unsettling.

“Vinnie,” she said slowly, “you’re scaring me.”

He laughed, but it was humorless. “Don’t be scared. I’ve been taking care of you, haven’t I? You trust me, right?”

Her stomach twisted into a knot. She didn’t trust him. Not anymore. Not since she’d glimpsed his phone weeks ago andseen the name the Master’s Market at the top of his screen. She’d brushed it off as her imagination then, but now? Now the pieces were clicking into place, and the picture they formed was horrifying.

“I…” Her voice cracked, and she forced herself to look him in the eye. “What do you mean, opportunity? What are you planning, Vinnie?”

He sighed, as if disappointed. “See, this is why I didn’t want to tell you yet. You always overthink things. But fine, I’ll spell it out.” He grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer until their faces were inches apart. “I’ve been talking to some buyers. Good men. Powerful men. They’ve seen your pictures, Lanie. They’re interested.”

The blood drained from her face. “What?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“Don’t act so shocked,” he said, his tone hardening. “You were made for this. You’ve got that sweet, submissive look that drives men crazy. And you’ve been practicing, haven’t you? Learning to obey, to trust?”

Her chest tightened. This couldn’t be real. This couldn’t be happening. “I thought you were helping me,” she said, her voice trembling. “I thought...”

“Helping you?” He barked out a laugh. “I waspreparingyou. And now it’s time for you to step up and do your part. Tonight, we’re meeting with a buyer from the cartel. He wants a taste, and if he likes what he sees, we’re talking six figures.”

“No.” The word burst from her lips before she could stop it. She yanked her wrist free, stumbling back a step. “No, Vinnie. You can’t do this.”

His expression darkened, and for the first time, she saw the full weight of his cruelty. “Don’t be stupid, Lanie,” he snarled. “You think you have a choice? You owe me. Every meal, everypiece of clothing, every night I let you stay under my roof—you owe me.”

Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “I’m not your property,” she said, her voice firmer now. “And I’m not going anywhere with you.”

He moved fast, grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her hard. “You listen to me, you ungrateful little...”

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