Page 9 of Little Bird (Advantage Play 3)

“From someone like my boss.” Giving me the side-eye, I finally understand where he’s going with this.

“So…even if I’m not used by your boss personally, there’s a big chance that one of his friends”—I spit the word out, though it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth—“has the opportunity to buy me from him and use me to get into the tournament. Is that what you’re saying?”

“Yeah. I think you pretty much summed it up.”

He has the decency to look apologetic, losing his indifference from the last time we talked. I appreciate the sincerity even if it doesn’t help my crappy situation. Another wave of anxiety runs through me, so I stand up and bounce on the balls of my bare feet, searching for a solution.

“I suppose there isn’t much of a chance that nice guys participate in this tournament, is there? Someone who wears shining armor and rides white horses?”

Shaking his head, he chuckles deep and low. “Don’t count on it. And even if there was one, the odds definitely wouldn’t be in his favor.”

His comment makes me pause. “What do you mean?”

“Burlone is pretty much unbeatable. I’ve only seen it happen once, and even then, I’m not sure it wasn’t entirely a fluke. I’ve been around for a long time, and I can say with confidence that if I were a betting man, I’d put my money on Burlone. I’d be a fool if I didn’t.”

“So, if that does happen, and Burlone does win, does that mean I end up right back here? With you?” I swallow, surprised the question spilled out of me. Shifting my gaze to the floor, I try to ignore the way my face heats to a million degrees while I wait for his response.

When Dex stays silent, I peek over at him only to see his entire body filled with regret, and I know I’m not going to like the answer he tells me.

“I’m afraid not, Little Bird,” he admits. “If Burlone ends up winning you back, he’ll only turn you around for more profit.”

I was right. That’s a crappy answer, and it leaves me floundering. I never thought I’d admit this to myself, but I just want to go back to my life before this. My life that might not have been rainbows and butterflies, but it was mine, and even though it felt like a prison at the time, I had a hell of a lot more freedom than I do now.

Dex gets up to leave, but I stop him. “Can I ask you something else, Dex?”

“Yeah,” he answers gruffly. I can tell he doesn’t want to, but he’s man enough to hold my pointed stare.

“Have you ever purchased someone?”

If he says yes, it’ll kill me. Right now, his visits are the only thing giving me a shred of hope, and if I find out he’s nothing but scum like the rest of the assholes in this place, then I think it might break me. In fact, I know it will.

With a shake of his head, he whispers, “Never. I don’t think a person should ever be bought or sold. If you ever own someone, it’s because they’ve given themselves to you freely, and they own you too. It’s mutual. And it’s built on trust. What we do here?” He grits his teeth in distaste. “It’s slavery in its lowest form. Goodnight, Little Bird.”

He leaves the untouched water bottle on the mattress then closes the door behind him with a soft click, yet his words play through my head for the rest of the night.

Chapter Nine

Little Bird

With my head resting against the wall, I start to doze after another boring day in isolation, only to hear the hinges squeak.

My eyes pop open, my heart jumps in my throat, and adrenaline spikes in my veins.

Then I see Dex. The sight instantly calms me.

Tucking my knees to my chest, I stay huddled in my corner and fight the urge to greet him like I would a friend.

“Hey, Little Bird,” he calls after closing the heavy door behind him.

“Hi,” I squeak. My voice is rusty from lack of use. I only ever talk to him.

As if he can read my mind, he gently tosses me a new bottle of water, and I drink it up greedily. Wiping my mouth with the back of my wrist, I tell him, “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

His hands tucked into his slacks, Dex rocks back and forth on his heels, and an awkward silence encompasses us. It’s weird. I haven’t felt like this around him since the night we met.

“What’s wrong?” I probe, my protective walls rising. Something doesn’t feel right.

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