Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 47758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
The laugh wasn’t forced and she snorted as well. “Do you really think I’m an idiot? I know how this works. If I’m not sold off to Landon, then I get traded elsewhere. I’m nothing more than a fucking piece of cattle to them, sold to the highest bidder. At which point, I’m to become a little incubator, spitting out the heir and a couple of girls to be traded. Mostly they want boys. My life will be in the complete control of my husband who will tell me exactly how to live my life, including what I do and how I breathe. Oh, and if I’m lucky, he may not beat the shit out of me. Don’t think I don’t see the bruises on the women’s faces. The men in our world are monsters.”
“Not all of us are.”
“Yeah, I’m not that lucky.” She shook her head, gritting her teeth. “Forgive me for trading a life of being on the run with a friend, and poverty with that life.”
She would do anything not to belong to any man.
****
Tulip stepped over the threshold of his bedroom. It felt weird being in his room, his personal space.
“There was a time I’d have naked women on the walls, some bands, and shit. I even had a collection of knives,” he said, closing the door behind him.
“You did?”
“Even though our mom wanted us to grow up to be like other kids, I think she always knew it was going to be difficult for us. It’s the way the world works, you know?” He shrugged. “She did the best she could with what she knew.”
“And she didn’t know a lot?” Tulip asked.
“The Denton men, we have to be strong. We can’t be weak and so that means training us from boys.” He looked bored as he spoke. “I knew more violence at the age of ten than most.”
“Ah, I see.” She tucked some hair behind her ear. His room was nice and warm, a complete contrast to the cold of the basement.
“You were coming for me?” he asked.
“You’re still surprised about that?” She turned toward him.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked. “You had a chance to escape. To be away from here.”
“Yeah, still the pesky problem of no passport, money, or any identification. No job either. I’m limited in what I can do. I didn’t sell my body back home, and I’m not going to start now.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and she moved toward him. “I was surprised you were still a virgin.”
“Now you have it. I’m yours. Did Sarah ever come here?” She felt him tense up. “I have my answer.”
“Your parents are looking for you, Tulip. They want to find you.”
“Ah, so the first daughter is dead, now they have a replacement.” She stepped away from him. “Kind of like you.”
“I don’t have a replacement.”
“Yeah, you do.” She blew out a breath. “Wow, I can’t even believe I’m feeling this way. You know what, I don’t even want to think about this right now. I … they can look all they want. They’re not going to find me. They messed up and they can pay that price.”
“You’re angry at them?” he asked.
“Of course, I’m angry at them. They gave me up. I don’t care about their reasoning for it. They decided to keep one of us, their most precious one. You know what? I don’t want to think about it.”
“You’re hurt.”
“When I think about them, Landon, I want them dead.” She turned to look at him. “I’m not like this Sarah person. I don’t care right now that you’re covered in blood and you killed the guard downstairs.” She shrugged. “I’m not precious or sweet, or innocent. I know how the world works. I’ve lived in it and I know you have to do a bunch of bad shit to survive. They left me. They pushed me to one side as if I was nothing. The only thing I want is for them to die.”
She moved toward the window. It was dark now—or again. She didn’t know how long they’d been at the Denton Family’s house. The yard was lit up and she saw the guards patrolling. Their guns clear even from the window.
Landon moved up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “I don’t want anything to happen to you,” he said, kissing her neck.
“You must think I’m some kind of monster.”
“Not at all. I know you’re not. I know you’re hurting right now and you have every single right to be angry. I’m angry for you.”
“It’s not normal. Nice people don’t wish for people to be killed. I’m messed up, Landon.”
“Really? Because I kind of like you messed up. It’s hot. You don’t judge me.”
She spun in his arms. “Why would I judge you?”
“I’m not perfect. I fuck up everything I touch.” He captured her chin. “I need to shower. I don’t want to get that fucker’s blood all over you.”