Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“Yes. I have some news. Bane is heading to Paris. He’s attending a charity gala that’s taking place in two weeks, and we need to be there. I’m done waiting around. It’s time we go to him. We need to suss out what the fuck his next move will be and then make our move before he organizes another auction.”
“Do you think he’s got more women and children coming in from Thailand?” Harper’s voice is low, but the panic is clear in her tone. She was abused by him and her father for years, so she has a personal stake in this.
“I believe so.” I nod. “But with our contacts, we can get ahead of the game. Once the route of the ship is confirmed, we can intercept it.” These assholes don’t use air travel to move their human merchandise, because there has to be a paper trail. It’s much easier to conceal stowaways on a ship at sea.
“Well, it looks like Harper and I will have to go dress shopping,” Rayne says.
“Yes, that’s a great idea. We can work out our plan later.”
One way or another, there will be blood.
2
HARPER
They say therapy helps. Talking about your problems is meant to allow you to work through them. The person listening to you offers advice and anecdotes, or whatever they’re called, and once you’ve finished the course of treatment, you’re supposed to feel better. Freer.
I don’t know if I agree with that, but I’m not here for therapy today. I’m here for the therapist who used to do business with my father and Bane. He doesn’t know who I am, but I know all about him.
When I first asked Dante if I could do this job alone, he wasn’t sure it was a good idea. But in the end, he’s allowed me to do it on one condition—he has to be in the clinic reception every time I have a session.
Our backstory is that he is my partner, and he’s supporting me through my issues. The gullible Dr. Sterling bought it and said it was good I had someone there for me.
The doctor is now seated opposite me, in a large wingback chair that’s the color of a lush forest. His impeccable designer suit has been tailored to fit him perfectly. If you didn’t know the truth about him, you’d think he was an upstanding citizen. A good man trying to help those in trouble.
“How are you today, Solange?” he asks as he sits with his ballpoint pen and notebook poised at the ready while his dark eyes watch me intently.
The name I offered when I booked the sessions came from a movie we were watching one night. I’ve known for some time what I want to do, and I’ve asked Dante to help me. I plan to confront and punish the people who knew what my father and Bane were doing but didn’t try to stop them.
“The past few days have been difficult,” I tell the doctor, hoping my story will capture his interest.
Since I met Dante and Rayne, and found my sister again, I’ve been at peace. I’ve felt happy. Killing the man sitting across from me is about vengeance, but it’s also for the fun of it. I know that sounds like I need therapy, but not in the way the therapist opposite me thinks.
“Why? Would you like to talk about it? That’s why I’m here.” He leans forward, ever so slightly.
I haven’t confessed the truth about my father to him, because he would easily figure out who I really am. What I’ve done is create a character with a similar backstory, and I’ve played the role well over the past couple of months.
I’ve been biding my time, but today is my last session. It’s the moment of reckoning, and I’m no longer prepared to play a part. I smile as I look at him. It’s not a friendly grin, but one that I hope will make him uneasy because the blade that’s hidden in my boot is about to make its appearance.
“Yes,” I finally respond. “It relates back to when I was a child. From the age of eight, I was broken by my father.” He doesn’t move, doesn’t even flinch. “I thought that what he did to me was normal. I experienced his version of ‘love’.” I use air quotes on the word love, and I finally see Dr. Stirling react. It’s an infinitesimal movement, but it’s there. “My sister was always out with friends or at her extra-curricular activities after school. But he didn’t look at her the way he did me.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he croaks and then coughs in an attempt to clear his throat. Setting his pen and notebook down, he leans back in his chair before returning his gaze to me. “Please continue, Solange.”