“Does this often take long?” my voice shakes as the doubt takes over.
“Darling, some men are less than gentlemen, and they take you to one room, do their business, and the transaction is complete. Some are more…refined, if you will, and plans are made. You get to feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman for a weekend, if that is what they require. Just depends.” Wow. I was totally off base about the idea of this.
“Ok.” my meager answer makes her smile.
“I know it is overwhelming and scary. But at the end, you will be able to start over somewhere fresh for you and your sister. What’s more important than that?” as soon as she says it, my heart warms. Katya is my reason for everything.
“Nothing.” she nods and gathers her things.
“I am excited for you, sweet girl. I have a feeling this auction is going to change your life.” she lingers a moment. I get the distinct feeling she wants to say something to me. It is the same thing that niggles in the back of my mind since the first moment I saw her. She seemed familiar, but not. She always lingered but stayed aloof. Lately, she has been coming more frequently and staying longer and something feels…different. her hand comes to my cheek, and she caresses it tentatively before she pulls back, remembering herself, and walks out the door. What in the heck was that?
My body is sore and tense as I carry Kat from the bus stop in my arms. She fell asleep on the bus and I didn’t have the heart to wake her. Finally getting to the house, I see my father is home and make quick work of getting her into the bed and into her pajamas before kissing her head and shutting the door. I am covered in food, garbage, and little girl drool. I just need a hot shower and bed. “EDEN! Get down here.” he screams from the living room. Shit. There goes my peaceful night. The last thing I want is to talk to him, but I need to not piss him off before the auction. Walking down, I see beer bottles all over the table telling me he has not left the house today.
“Yes.” I stand by the wall, arms crossed.
“You have lived here for eighteen years, rent free. It’s time you repaid me.” I don’t mean for the disgust to be voiced, but the scoff leaves my mouth involuntarily.
“You have something to say to me?” he says, getting up from the couch. I don’t answer. “I didn’t think so. I owe my boss some money and I don’t have it.”
“How is that my problem.” hold it together Eden.
“It’s your problem because you are going to pay the debt.”
“How do you think I am going to do that?”
“With the only thing you have worth anything. Your body.” how is this man my father?
“You’re disgusting. No. Your debt is not my problem.” I turn to walk up the stairs, when he grips my hair and turns me around. I scream out, shocked at the contact.
“You ungrateful little bitch.” he screams right before his hand makes contact with my face. I stumble back and hit the floor, clutching my cheek, tears stinging my eyes.
“You are evil. Why did you ever keep me and my sister if you didn’t really want us?” I have often asked this question to myself in the dark.
“Simple. I knew one day; you would be of use to me. Now listen here. You are going to do this because if you don’t, I will sell your sister.”
“You wouldn’t.” I gasp, not sure why I am so appalled. Nothing about him should surprise me anymore.
“I would. You women are good for nothing else. Hell, look at your mama. She left you with the likes of me. Katya’s mama was a whore. Nothing more. Nothing less. So, go brush up and take some notes from the girls at the club. It’s time for you to earn your keep.” he mumbles the last part, grabbing a drink before walking out the front door. I wait until I behind the closed door of the bathroom before I fall to the floor and allow the tears to flow.
“Don’t worry, Kat. We are getting out of here.” I won’t leave her like my mom did me.
4
Viktor
“Lennon have this shit cleaned up.” I tell my brother stepping over the body on my office floor bleeding all over it. Dumb fuck thought he could rape one of the girls in one of my clubs and then try to tell me she asked for it. Fucking pig. Everyone by now knows that there are cameras everywhere.
“Big brother. Did you have to do it in the office?” Lennon asks, leaning back in my chair. “I mean, we could have had Stavros take him out back.” he chuckles, shaking his head. He likes to give me shit when I handle scumbags myself instead of sending them to the meatpacking plant. Pushing his feet off my desk, I walk around and sit on the other side.