Page 7 of Strangers No More
“What you think?” Olivia asked, looking over at Mr. L.
“She’s pretty. I can make some good money off of her.”
My eyes scrunched up. “Hold up. What the hell are y’all talking about? Olivia, what the fuck have you brought me into?”
“Calm down, Little Bit. I’m not here to hurt you. I heard that you need some help, is that right?” Mr. L asked, leaning back in his chair.
I swallowed and nodded. “Look, I-I just need a little money to get my grandma’s house up to date and to pay for a full time caregiver. I can’t really pay you back in installments, but maybe I can clean one of your houses or clean around here.”
Mr. L huffed out a hearty laugh. “Olivia, did you really tell this girl she’d be cleaning?”
“I had to say something. She looks so timid, and I couldn’t flat out say what she’d really be doing.”
My eyes widened as I stared between the two. “What the hell do you think I’d be doing? If you think I’m fucking for some money, then y’all got me messed up! I’m not having my first time be with some stranger.”
The smile on Luther’s face vanished as he abruptly stood up from his desk. “What did you say?”
“I-I-”
“She’s a virgin, baby.” Olivia cooed, licking her lips.
I slowly began to step backwards but Mr. L was already in my face with a maniacal smile. He grabbed my arm and pulled me towards his desk, pushing me down into the seat across from him.
“Look, I-”
“I can help you.” Mr. L interrupted.
I sat with my mouth open before shaking my head. “Wait, you will?”
“Yes.”
“So, I can pay you back in installments?”
He chuckled. “No. Let’s make a deal. I give you the money to save your grandma’s house and I will take full ownership of her medical bills if you accept my offer.”
I scrunched up my nose. “What offer?”
“You agree to marry my client.”
“What?” I shouted, hopping out of my chair. “You must be out of your fucking mind!”
“Girl, calm down. You were literally crying on a bench trying to come up with a way to get some money. The opportunity is right in your face.” Olivia said, rolling her eyes.
“Yeah, but. I…I can’t. I mean, marry some complete stranger? That’s absurd.”
“Welp, good luck getting the money. Maybe they’ll allow your grandmother into a homeless shelter.”
I swallowed the bile in my throat. Shit, what was I supposed to do? On one hand, I’d be giving myself away to someone I had never met. What if they were cruel or abusive? I’d be stuck with them until I had the funds to get away. Then again, that money would help out so much. I wouldn’t have to worry about my nana losing her home or ending up in an assisted living facility. Shit! I stared down and briefly closed my eyes. I didn’t have any other choice. My nana had done so much for me and helped me become the woman I am today. This was the least I could do for her.
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
Chapter 5
Seojun 3 Months Ago
Imoved my head from side to side, giving my neck a much-needed crack. Rolling my shoulders, I closed my eyes and tilted my head back. The cool air caused a shiver to run down my spine, but this was still my favorite season. I didn’t have much time to enjoy it since the summer heat was right around the corner. I gazed up at the night sky through the holes of the roof and smelled the rain that was due to arrive soon. I couldn’t believe that it had almost been a year since Ayzo told me about Nicholas going on a road trip with a random woman to seek out his ex, Olivia. Maybe it was a coincidence, but since then, my own search for revenge has been nothing but rewarding.
A slow smile crept across my face as muffled cries echoed behind me. I slowly turned around and stuffed my hands into my pockets. Passing the toothpickaround in my mouth, I eyed the five men currently tied up. The first man was Theron a.k.a. Ron. He was my third in command and in charge of recruiting the women for my massage parlors and group homes. I only hired women who wanted to make extra money. Nothing was by force, and I made sure no one abused my girls. Ron was the man who made all of that happen. You could imagine my disappointment when I learned he jumped ship to the Cobras.
