Page 30 of Pushed Through The Dark
Client? What the hell does Koa do?
Shit. . . He's not going to sell me, is he?
The thought of being transferred to someone else turned my stomach upside down. A lump formed in the back of my throat and my palms became sweaty.
He can't. He won't.
I was trying to convince myself, but I knew nothing about Koa. I had no clue what he was thinking or why the hell we were even there. I could be the meal on the table.
"Mm," Alek grunted. Looking up under hooded lids, I watched him suck on his cigarette. The red ember at the end sparked bright as he inhaled. "They say you're the best."
"I am."
"And your brother? Where's he?"
"He should be here any minute." Glancing at the door, Koa stiffened his back, making him taller. "We can get started without—" There was a knock at the door, causing him to stop talking and look back over his shoulder.
The same man who let us in cracked it open and stepped out of the way.
Knox walked through, his eyes squinting slightly as they adjusted to the light.
"Ah, here he is now," Koa said, forcing an awkward smile. "Alek, this is Knox."
Holding out his arms, Knox grinned. "Let's get this party started." His eyes danced around the room, enjoying the scenery far too much. I could see the gleeful pleasure on his face as he looked between the different girls.
But the girl chained in the center grabbed his attention the most. His eyes lit up, the small flames dancing in his pupils as he bit down on his bottom lip and grunted like a sick animal.
"Nice place you got here, Alek. How come I haven't been here sooner?" Knox asked.
"Because it's invite only. We don't take strays." Alek said to Knox under his breath stalked around Koa in a circle, spotting me. "Who's this? Did you bring me a present?"
"She's mine," Koa said quickly, no hesitation in his voice.
Oh thank god, I'm not here as merchandise.
"She's his new toy," Knox added, giving Alek a wink. "Virgo didn't even want to let her go."
My skin went cold as Knox talked about me. It felt like I never left the Canary coming to a place like this. My life had spun in a full circle, dropping me right off where I started.
"One of Virgo's. An expensivetoyyou got there." Alek bit his knuckles as his eyes ran up and down my body.
Hearing a stranger say Virgo's name made me realize just how big this world was. It made me realize that I might never be able to escape the man who branded me as his pet. If I could fly across the world and still hear his name from a stranger, I'd never be able to truly getaway.
Pressing myself closer to Koa, his broad shoulders and thick arms gave me a small sense of safety. I didn't like the sound of Alek's voice or the way it felt as he eyed me.
"I only like the best." Koa released my wrist and wrapped his arm around me. It was strong, firm, and for the first time in ages, I felt untouchable.
I knew that was a falsehood. No one was truly safe in this world. But his arm helped to create enough of a mirage for me to cling to.
"You've got good taste." I didn't need to see Alek know his eyes were still moving all over my body. It was like I had a sixth sense. "She's a little overdressed, isn't she? I'd expect less clothing."
"What I put her in is my business, not yours."
Knox chuckled, running one hand down his sleeve, and plucking a small piece of lint off the cuff. "Have you bought your doll new clothes?"
"Knox,"Koa snapped, whipping his head over his shoulder to glare at his brother. "Enough."
Knox rolled his eyes and held up his hands as if to signal he was done.
