The voices grow closer, and I turn in their direction.
“Where’s your father, girl?” The man who speaks can’t be much older than I am. Maybe early twenties if I had to guess. His voice is harsh and demanding. He’s used to getting what he wants with his threatening voice and stony stare. I see the glint of a gun at his side beneath a jacket that is too warm to be wearing here.
“My father’s not here.”
The man growls as he approaches and grabs my arm, pushing me hard against the side of the trailer.
I wince but quickly bring my face back to neutral. Never show weakness.
“I’ve been chasing you all day, girl. And I have no time for games. Where is your father? If you don't find him, I’ll make sure you repay his debt.”
I hold my breath to keep my body from trembling in fear. To keep him from noticing the speed of my heartbeat. I saw him earlier today. Hunting my father and me down like animals.
That’s why I ducked into the bar.
That’s why I stole from Enzo.
Not to keep this man from hurting me. I already know I will lose my virginity by a man like him. Repaying a debt neither my father nor I could pay.
I’ve accepted it.
I don’t need to be a fortune teller to know my future. It’s the same as any of the other girls living in the trailer park.
But I stopped it happening for one more day. I stopped my father from being beaten, tortured, and killed for one more day.
One more day.
That’s all I can ever buy. That’s all I can ever steal.
“I have what you came for.”
The man’s hand moves to my throat.
I gasp.
I can’t help it. It’s natural to fight for breath when he touches me like this. I can’t resist my natural instinct to survive. To find air where there is none.
I recoil into my body, trying to keep my fear inside.
His eyes travel up and down my body, assessing me, deciding if my body is enough to forgive my father’s debt.
He chuckles in anger. “You are far too skinny for my liking. You’re not even a woman yet. You haven’t filled out with curves that I can sink my teeth into.”
I growl as he speaks about my body and then spit in his face.
His laughter deepens as he studies my mouth. “Although, pushing my cock into your throat so you can’t speak or breathe might please me. It will not be enough to repay the debt your father owes, but it will entertain me until he returns.”
He pushes me toward the trailer. I stumble into the door.
Asshole.
I feel him walking toward me, but I won’t let him touch me again. I turn with a fierceness surging through my veins.
“I have the money to pay you back.”
He eyes me up and down again. “I won’t take a check from you, girl. I know anything you write will bounce.”
“Good, because I intend to pay you in cash.”