Mack grunted. “Cut the attitude and answer my question.”
“What’s it to you?”
“Answer me.”
“Twenty-two.”
Jace’s mouth dropped open. The person in front of him was filthy and very small. To find out she was a young woman somehow made it worse.
“Why are you on the streets?” Jace asked.
Her little chin came up. “Who said I was?”
Jace bent forward, almost touching her nose with his. “How about this? If you don’t answer our questions respectfully, I’ll spank your ass.”
The woman gasped and started fighting again. “The hell you will.”
Jace turned her to the side and smacked her ass. It wasn’t a hard hit, just enough to get her attention. He almost grinned when she froze and looked at him in shock. For some reason, it looked like his hand on her ass calmed her.
“Now answer us. Why are you on the streets?”
She shrugged. “I have nowhere else to go.”
“You have no family?”
“I have parents,” she said.
Jace’s eyebrows rose again. “Why aren’t you with them?”
She started to struggle. “Just let me go. Someone is waiting for me.”
“Who?” Mack asked.
“Mirna.”
“Who is she?”
“She’s my friend. She’s the one that taught me how to survive on the streets.”
“What’s your name?” Jace asked.
“Kaylin.”
Jace shook his head in confusion. “I’m Jace, and this guy is Mack. Now, tell us, why can’t you go to your parents?”
“Because they said I’m an adult and can take care of myself.”
He would have laughed because she sounded so arrogant, but he was too freaked out about the situation. This woman should never be on the streets.
“Do they know you’re on the streets?”
“Why is this any of your business?” she cried.
“Do you want me to spank you again?” Jace asked.
Her shoulders drooped. “I think they know. They just don’t care.”
“Why?” Mack asked.