Page 11 of Torn Souls

“You can go. You’ll find the outfit I picked out specifically for this dinner on your bed,” the warning is clear in his tone.

I stand slowly before moving out of his office, keeping my steps light and small. As much as my heart wishes he would call me back and tell me he’s changed his mind about everything, I know it won’t happen.

Why would it when I can almost feel his glee at something going his way? He’s been tense for a while and I was sure nothing was going to change.

If only I wasn’t caught in my father’s web of planning and scheming. But I am.

And now I’ll be going to dinner and meeting with a man I’ve never heard of. All in the name of being traded to him.

I might not have a say in what is about to happen, but I know the only person who I can trust in this situation is me. Certainly not my father. Certainly not anyone who would do business with the man either.

As horrified as I am about what my father expects, it is a chance to get out of this house. Tonight could mean a change, one which finds me in a life that is worse than the one I’m living now.

But maybe, just fucking maybe, it’s a chance for something better.

I just won’t be holding my breath for that.

CHAPTER 4

HUCK

I run my fingers through my hair and instantly regret it considering I’ve already showered and gotten dressed for this farce of a dinner. While I don’t normally give a fuck about appearances, there are times to look good. My gut is telling me tonight is one of those times.

Call it a power play if you want, but there are far too many people in this world who judge from the jump. Growing up, with all the rumors and suspicions around my best friends and brothers, we got used to the judgement.

And having a façade. I needed it for other reasons as well. It served me well when dealing with my parents and their bullshit.

After stalking into Kirill’s office in our house, I’m not surprised to find everyone gearing up.

“I didn’t know we were having a party in here?” I joke while looking at the men who are more like family than my own have ever been.

I’ve never hidden how these guys saved my life. Their friendship and the way they refused to leave me behind, even when I wanted them to, was the lifeline I needed. I was so angry.

At the world.

At the people who should have loved me and put me first.

At anyone who thought I was worth a damn when I didn’t see the same in myself.

But these guys supported me and pulled me back every time I was teetering on the edge of the abyss.

I haven’t talked to my parents in 16 years. Not since I turned 18 and walked away from the house where I grew up. It was never my home.

It was just a place where horrors existed behind closed doors while they ensured that everyone thought they were above reproach publicly. They were addicts and alcoholics. They were abusive and manipulative.

Kirill, Maxim, and Baker saved my fucking life. When Kirill set out to build his empire, which led us to Seattle, I knew where my loyalty would always lie.

They also gave me purpose. I don’t think I would have furthered my education in computer science without their encouragement and their support. I would have followed my father’s expectations and majored in business.

It would have been easier because when my father found out I changed my major, he stopped paying for school. Kirill wasn’t having it and his family stepped up with payments, never expecting me to pay it back even though I have.

My pride wouldn’t let it happen any other way.

I sheath two knives after sliding my gun into my shoulder holster. We slip our jackets on, and Maxim lets out a low whistle.

The amusement in his voice is clear as he chuckles, “We scrub up good, brothers.”

He’s not fucking wrong. Even Baker, who hates wearing a suit and would rather avoid it if it were up to him, is looking on point tonight. I’m the opposite and wear a suit like armor.

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