Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
“I just wanted my purse and suitcase,” she said softly, clutching at my hand harder. Her hands twisted in her lap, but she steadfastly clung to me. “I accepted months ago that I’d never have my old life back, and I’m OK with that. But I need my ID and insurance cards. My bank account might be closed, but if not, there’s still money in there for me to get a modest apartment or something. My suitcase had clothes in it, though I probably can’t wear much now.” She looked away. “It took me months to get back home. I walked most of the way. Once I got enough change from a fountain to take a bus to the next town, but why bother? It was better to use it for food or just save it until I needed it. Several places had soup kitchens where I could volunteer and still eat.”
“Wait,” Lucy interrupted. “You had to volunteer in order to eat?”
“Well, yes,” Emmanuell answered, as if it were obvious. “I wanted to give if I was going to take.” Thorn raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
“I’m sorry,” Lucy said, glancing at her husband. “Go on. Please.”
“Once I made it to Palm Springs, I started asking around about Salvation’s Bane. It’s how I found Salvation’s Angels.” She shivered. “And the Playground.” The Playground was a BDSM club owned by Bane. I’d bet my last dollar that place scared her to death.
“Who led you here?”
“I found a garage called Red’s. There was a girl on a bicycle who worked there. Since there was already a woman working there, I asked about a job, thinking I could clean up or help in the office or something. I was told Red only hired people from Salvation’s Bane. Knowing that, I figured she was associated with the club. It took several days, but I finally followed her far enough I figured out where the club was.”
“Red took the Maybach to the buyer. He didn’t want Rosanna going with him so she’s been riding her bicycle to and from the clubhouse,” Vicious explained.
“Wasn’t she supposed to get a ride from Styx and his woman if she went to the garage?” Thorn shook his head, grinning. Likely because Rosanna amused him, the way she ran circles around Red when Red wasn’t looking.
“Yep,” Vicious said. “But you know Rosanna.”
“Yeah. I know Rosanna. Turned out it was a good thing she didn’t follow orders this time,” he said. “If she had, Emmanuell might not have made it to us.”
“Was it just today you found our compound?” Vicious was careful to keep his tone light, soft. He was always the sensitive one when it came to those in our club who were vulnerable. It was why Thorn had him in this position in the first place.
“Yes. I just kept walking until I found something.”
“You realize that wasn’t exactly the safe thing to do, right?” That was Thorn. He wasn’t short or harsh, just asked a question.
“I didn’t feel like I had much choice,” Emmanuell said. “I tried to get a job more than once. Actually worked off the books a time or two, but was never able to get reliable employment without identification. And most everyone pays in direct deposit now. I didn’t have access to my checking account and couldn’t get one without an ID. I did try to open an online account, but apparently, my social security number has been flagged as being stolen or something, and they still wanted proof of ID.” She started to hyperventilate, as if merely retelling the event was stressful for her. “I’m not afraid to work,” she said defensively. “I’m not looking to cash in anything my father had. I don’t care who got his businesses or the house or any of his other assets. I just want my ID and the belongings I had with me so I can build a new life for myself.”
Coming from anyone else, I’d have called bullshit, but I knew like I knew my own name Emmanuell was telling the truth. She wasn’t like most wealthy women I’d met. Most of them were full of artifice and lived to manipulate. Kind of like many of the club girls. None of them would have been caught dead in the state we’d found Emmanuell in.
Thorn looked at her a long time. Emmanuell dropped her gaze, looking at either the floor or our joined hands. I didn’t know which.
“Why?” Thorn said, unexpectedly. “Why would you not be looking to claim your inheritance? It’s a lot of money, I’m sure. You’d be back in the lifestyle you’ve lived most of your life. There’d be no need to get a job or make a new life. You could simply pick up where you left off and live your life in peace.”