“Either help me or stay out of my way,” she repeated.
“I want to hear the whole plan.”
“Then stop interrupting me.”
A slow smile spread over her aunt’s face. “You are turning into a badass little bitch, Amanda.”
“I have this role model…” Leaning forward, she kissed Noel’s cheek. Backing up, she said, “I need six months of hardcore training in a protected environment. If I run, I keep running. The only answer is to systematically remove what makes me desirable but in ways these bastards will never expect.”
Inhaling deeply, she looked at Zoe. “Once I have my training, I plan to become the top supermodel in the world.” There were gasps around the room and she felt Noel staring at the side of her face. “I’m going to make sure my face and body are recognized across the entire planet. I’ll make it goddamn difficult to simply take me off the streets.”
Closing her eyes, she rotated her head on her shoulders.
“In the background, I’ll work for the organization. I have skills they can utilize. Lip reading, sign language, computer coding, science – chemicals specifically, and a show piece if required. Eventually, I’ll get around to losing my virginity and I’ll make sure these assholes know about it.”
She laughed but it was painful. “I’m not putting my life on hold again and again because some guys jerking off behind a screen with money to burn want to buy me, rape me, hurt me. I’m sorry, no.” Stretching her arms behind her to relieve the tension in her back, she added, “I received my inheritance from Sheamus. After putting half of it aside for Heather, I have almost eleven million left.”
Rick whistled. “I had no clue the old bastard was worth that.”
“It seems he was rather good with money. Since I won’t need it for my education or research now, and I’d rather not end up raped and tortured in some animal’s dungeon, I’ll use it to hire murderous motherfuckers to protect me. I prefer they be gay men. See if you can’t find or recruit me the perfect candidates. If they’re a couple, even better. They won’t feel so isolated.”
Exhaling roughly, Amanda stuck her palms in the back pockets of her jeans. “Questions?”
There were questions.
There were a lot of questions.
Amanda answered them but she didn’t budge an inch. She wasn’t going to be kept in the dark or find herself at the mercy of others again. All the control belonged to her and she refused to give up any of it.
Not for any reason. Not to anyone.