Page 19 of Vengeful Rotten Casualties

The man turns and strides to one side of the room. I frown as I watch him go only to deepen my frown as he turns and paces back to the other side. “I’m sure you’ve met some of the people who take care of the place, right?” he finally asks, stopping back in front of me. “A few guys? Maybe one with a head of blond hair?”

I nod. Ace. Yeah, I’ve met the dude. He’s only stopped by once or twice, though, and not in the last year. “I work with them,” he says.

“Okay…” That still doesn’t explain anything else.

The strange man continues to stand in front of me expectantly and when I don’t say anything more, he releases a frustrated breath. “Maybe it’ll be easier to…” He trails off as a cell phone begins ringing. With a concerned look at me, he turns to the side and pulls it out to answer it. “This is Lex.” His eyes widen. “Oh, Mr. Kincaid—yes, I’m here right now. She was—no, she needs more time to—” Lex’s gaze strays back to me, and I blink, realizing who is on the other end of the line.

Cold iciness enters my bloodstream. I suck in a deep breath and then slowly release it before holding out my hand. Lex looks from me to the floor. “Sir, I can get her cleaned up, but she’ll need to see a doctor. The last—no sir. Mr. Kincaid, I—”

“Let me talk to him,” I say, forcing my voice to remain passive and monotone.

Lex says something to Thomas once more and then finally, he turns and hands the phone to me. I put it to my ear. “Is he a new dog or is there something you want to tell me, Thomas?”

“Always with the attitude, MiKayla.” Thomas sighs.

“Maybe that’s what you get when you send dirty old perverts who don’t know how to cut a set of ropes when they’re done fucking their whore for the night,” I snap.

“Tsk.” I close my eyes and hold in all of my rage. God, I hate that fucking sound. “You know you’re much more than a whore, sweetheart. Whores don’t get paid or taken care of nearly as well as you do. You’re the one who chose to live out in the middle of nowhere. You could’ve had the perfect city apartment in New York should you have chosen it. Brunch with girlfriends. Cars to take you wherever you wanted to go.”

“A gilded cage is still a cage, Thomas.”

“Regardless, you can’t go blaming me for your circumstances. I offered you everything.”

“Nothing is for free,” I remind him. “You taught me that. I’m just trying to keep my debt down. How much have I paid off now?”

“Well, that’s actually why Lex is there,” Thomas says. “I’m pleased to tell you that after today, your debt is fully paid.”

“What?” I jerk my gaze up to the man standing above me. “Did he—”

“No, sweetheart. Lex didn’t pay it for you,” Thomas answers, cutting me off.

I scowl. “Then what the hell are you talking about?”

“Do you remember Jason Osman? The media conglomerate that took you to India last year?” Something insidious crawls up my spine. A warning of sorts. I rack my brain for the information. So many men and women have seen me and taken me places in the last two or three years. Their names and faces blur together. Only one had taken me to India, though. Not that I remember much of the place aside from a fancy penthouse suite where I’d played the part of one of Thomas Kincaid’s business clients’ young wife. He seemed to like the idea of having a teenage girl at his beck and call.

“Yes,” I finally answer. “I remember.” Though I’m not sure what the hell he has to do with my debt, I know I’ll find out the reason if I’m patient enough. Only thing is, patience is not one of my virtues.

“He’s purchased your debt for you—all of it,” Thomas says. “Lex is there to escort you to his private estate in Manhattan. You’ll take a private plane to Newark and he’ll have someone there to pick you up. If you’d like, I’m happy to attend the ceremony to give you away since you have no family, but I assure you, you’ll be quite well taken care of—”

“Wait, what are you talking about?” I demand. “What ceremony?”

“Your marriage, MiKayla. Mr. Osman will be officially making you his wife. He did say that he’d never had another girl play the part quite as well as you.”

My stomach sinks. “Wife?” The word comes out, but it sounds far away in my ears—as if someone else is speaking.

“MiKayla, you’re a smart girl,” Thomas says, his voice growing tight with agitation. “You should consider yourself lucky that anyone would be willing to purchase you for the long term, much lessmarryyou and give you respectability after these last few years.” He chuckles to himself. “I can’t say what Jason is thinking, but he’s always been a crazy bastard. I think his last wife did him in, truly. Having you will ease his worries. No more searching for the perfect bride. No more threat of divorce. I’m sure you understand that this change of circumstance is what’s best for a girl like you.”

“A girl like me…”

He doesn’t say it but he doesn’t have to. I know exactly what he means. A girl like me? Ha. That’s a fat crock of bullshit. Thomas Kincaid doesn’t even see me as human. I’m a commodity. A whore to be bought and sold, and this is no different. It’s a transaction where I’m the product.

“What about those papers you fabricated?” I demand. “I was supposed to be free when I turned eighteen, your conservatorship—”

“Oh, not to worry,” Thomas interrupts. “Your conservatorship will transfer to your husband by the time you see him when you get to his estate.”

My husband.I don’t know why but those words make my chest ache. Fucking random people for Thomas’ gain and pleasure is one thing, but marrying one? It feels like a line is being crossed.

Lex’s attention is hot on my face, but I refuse to look at him. I’m afraid he’ll see all of my thoughts. Instead, I turn away and clench my fingers around the phone against my ear.

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