Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 15261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
If Ford thinks this is going to get us off his back, he has another thing coming. This just shows how big a piece of shit he is. I’m an asshole, but I’ve never hurt innocents or tried to pay with people instead of cash. He won’t get away with this.
“He thinks he can just send a random girl instead of the money he owes?” Nick asks in shock by my side.
“She’s not some random girl,” Jace says. “She’s Ford’s daughter.”
2
AVA
Axel Corbyn’s icy blue eyes are glued to mine. I refuse to break the stare, barely even risk blinking, unwilling to show any more weakness. I’m already on my damn knees, having been dragged in by his men, and probably look like I’ve been living in a bloody dungeon for a month. Which isn’t too far from the truth.
There’s blood and grime underneath my fingernails, and my hair is a wild mess around my face. The thin black dress I’m wearing is ripped and filthy from the way I’ve been handled.
If holding this man’s gaze is the only advantage I can get, I’m gonna take it. No matter how hard it is. Not because I’m staring at one of the most feared men in the city, a man whose reputation I know like the back of my hand, but because my entire body is reacting to his presence. Instead of thinking about all the blood on his hands like I should be, I’m thinking about how those hands would feel touching me. My blood runs hot, my heart beats so fast I’m sure he’ll be able to hear it, and my mind spins. Can he feel this pull the way I can, or have I finally lost my mind?
I’ve just been sold to him for God’s sake, finding him attractive is the last thing I should be doing. But he’s over six feet of muscle, dark hair hanging in waves around his ears, black clothes clinging to him like they were made to show off his body … and I just can’t help it. I should be terrified, and I have been since my father so callously informed me of my fate, but I can feel the terror leaving my system the longer Axel holds my gaze.
When his enforcer tells him who I am, Axel’s entire face turns stormy. I can’t blame him for his obvious hatred of my father, considering I hate him more than anyone else ever could. The only positive about being literally sold is that I don’t have to live under my father’s roof any longer. No fate can be worse than that, after all.
“Get out,” Axel snaps, and I hear the men around us shuffle on their feet. Nobody leaves, though, and when I risk a glance at the guys who dragged me in here, I see the complete confusion on their faces. Axel’s fists clench at his sides. “Don’t fucking make me repeat myself,” he growls at them.
Holy shit, I shouldn’t find that gravelly, demanding tone hot, but my body doesn’t care about logic.
In a rush, everyone leaves except Axel and the man standing by his side. I know he’s Axel’s second in command, Nick. You don’t grow up with a gang leader as a father without knowing who these people are.
“You, too,” Axel says darkly to his second, who frowns.
“Sure, Boss,” Nick says, heading towards the door despite the skepticism in his voice. It’s obvious none of them want to leave Axel alone with me, but what he says goes. It’s hardly like I’m a threat to him, anyway, unarmed and defenseless as I am.
The door closes with a snick that seems impossibly loud in the ensuing silence. And just like that, I’m alone with the most feared gang leader the city’s ever seen.
Axel takes three long strides towards me, and my eyes get glued to the shine on his shoes as he approaches. He’s the perfect combination of shiny businessman and dark and dirty, and it’s scrambling my brain even more than the exhaustion from today is.
Sparks fly through me as two long fingers cup my chin, tilting my head back and forcing my gaze back to his. I forget how to breathe, my entire being focused on his touch. I might not have much experience with men, given that I’ve been under my father’s control all twenty-four years of my life, but I’ve never felt anything like this before.
Before I can think better of it, I straighten my shoulders and snap, “Are you going to hurt me, too?”
His expression shifts to one of utter fury before softening significantly, taking my breath away. He’s looking down at me like … like … he holds some sort of affection for me.
My heart skips multiple beats.
“I will never hurt you,” he says, his voice rich and decadent like the best chocolate cake. “And I’ll kill anyone who does.”