Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“Do you plan to traffic me?” I blurt.
“Traffic you? What the actual fuck?” Rya says, walking up to the table and about to take her own seat.
“I Googled your husbands,” I say, my gaze darting between them. I mean surely she didn’t think giving me an ominous warning like that wouldn’t spark my curiosity to delve deeper.
“Sit down, Alina. And, no, we don’t traffic people,” Honey says, tapping the table. “You honestly thought that?” She sounds surprised, and honestly, a little hurt.
“Well, your husband—”
“Do you believe everything you read on the internet?” Rya asks me.
“No, it’s just…”
“Yes, it’s true that my husband is part of the Mafia,” Rya admits. “Now, sit down. We don’t plan to traffic you or hurt you in any way.” She rolls her eyes.
“Dawson runs exclusive auctions that are sex related, but he doesn’t traffic anyone,” Honey explains.
“I’m sorry, it’s just…” I shake my head.
“It’s fine. You’re vanilla,” Rya says.
“Vanilla?” I ask and it immediately snaps me out of my frantic thoughts and I’m not sure if she’s joking and teasing me.
“You weren’t brought up in this world. We were, so we weren’t thrown off. Our father is very powerful, and so are our husbands. But they won’t hurt you, unless you hurt us.” Rya smiles and sits back.
I take a breath. The experience I’ve had in this world…although short and fleeting was what destroyed my previous relationship and he was far from a powerful man. He was just a piece of shit caught up in drugs. I should be scared but when I sit across from them… they seem like normal women. Besides wearing designer everything, we’re just three women out for a girls’ night. It’s jarring almost, but I trust my instinct that they genuinely aren’t here to hurt me, and my instinct has never led me astray. But it immediately forms another question.
“Is Will part of that world?” I ask.
The sisters look between one another again, a silent conversation happening. I’m somewhat envious of their ability to do that without even speaking but don’t all siblings have that relationship? I wouldn’t know.
“I think that’s something you should ask Will,” Honey says and I feel like all of a sudden I’ve stepped over a line. I also feel bad accusing them of potentially trafficking me when I know they’d never hurt me.
“I’m sorry,” I say, turning to Honey. “Really, I am. I read stuff and just got…”
“It’s fine. But don’t feel like you have to stay here with us if you feel unsafe. You can stop drinking and head back to the hotel.” She’s saddened as she says it. I wonder how often they have to draw a line in relationships not to let them get so close or to discover this part of their world. Shouldn’t I be flattered in the least that they piqued my curiosity so much to let me ask the question?
“Fuck that. I’m not stopping until I have to crawl home,” Rya exclaims, downing the last of her cocktail and sauntering back toward the bar. I kick up a smile, a wave of relief washing over me that despite the awkward exchange and swirling questions they’re acting as if nothing strange has happened at all. I can process this later, but for now, I’m enjoying myself, and who am I to stop myself from having a good time?
“Get me one?” I yell out, to which she winks approvingly, and I notice the wave of relief run through Honey. Where Rya might be more direct, Honey is sweet and easy to read. At this point, I know two things. One, I can trust them. Two, I might not remember much of tonight, the way we’re ordering drinks. And I’m fucking down for it.
CHAPTER 12
Will
Iknocked on her door for a good ten minutes with no answer. It’s past midnight, and she hasn’t come back to the hotel. I know because I’m sitting in the lobby waiting for her.
Maybe she’s with a guy. I did hack the security footage to see her walking out in tight-ass jeans and a tiny shirt.
I consider my options. It’s too easy to track her phone, and the temptation is there.
I’ve become outright fixated on her. I tell myself it’s because I’m stalling in between jobs, but the truth of the matter is, I’m intrigued by her, even though I already know almost everything there is to know about her.
It’s my job to know these things.
And I took great pleasure in learning about her.
It’s the first time I’ve become fixated on a woman since… well, some memories are best left to the past. I seriously just have to get her out of my system.
Just as I pull my phone out to track hers, I hear her laughter flutter through the lobby.
I stand and call her name.
She pauses, and her laugh cuts off when she sees me. The doorman is discreetly checking her out.