Page 7 of Bought (BOUGHT TRILOGY #1)

CHAPTER SEVEN

Erin

I stand in front of the mirror, examining the effort I’ve put into our ‘second’ date. I borrowed lingerie from Cass, a set from her old life. The tags were still on it because it was too small for her sexy curves.

A baby blue lace push-up bra paired with a matching lace thong, featuring a tiny lace triangle in the front that barely covers me. I’ll need the scanty panties because the dress I’ve chosen is silky and skin-tight.

“Va-va-Voom.” Cass rolls into the room we all share, gives me a wolf whistle, and shares my thoughts. “That bra makes you look like you actually have tits.”

“Shut up, Double-D. We can’t all be built like an hourglass.” I reach for the dress. “And I’ll have you know my breasts are average.”

She flutters her lashes. “As long as moneybags likes sucking on them, the size doesn’t matter.”

“Stop. It. Now.” I hold up a hand, “This conversation is over.”

I shimmy into the stretchy fabric. The dimpling on the backs of my thighs shows through, but I don’t think he’ll complain. This bra is truly amazing. He'll be too busy staring at my cleavage.

Bambi took Ryan out for ice cream tonight. Otherwise, Cass and I wouldn’t be talking like this. It’s nice, letting loose for a moment, like old times.

I want the fun to continue. After everything that happened, I’m leery of alcohol.

Tonight? I need some.

“Why don’t I get us some wine?” I say.

“Sure. I think we have a $5 Pino Grigio in the fridge. I’ll get it.”

I want to stop her. It would be so much easier for me to manage the drinks, but that will make her mad.

“Fine,” I agree. “Just please be generous with your pour.”

“We’ll see how much is left after I’ve filled my own glass.” She leaves for the kitchen, hands on her wheels.

Steel and stubbornness. That’s what Crofts are made from.

I smooth my hair over my shoulders. Bambi curled it before she left, but it’s already loosening into waves.

I think I’ll do my makeup like I used to, before Caleb.

Bronzer under my cheekbones, highlighter above, shimmery brown eyeshadow, and raspberry lipstick, with five coats of sticky black mascara.

I worry as I work.

The other night, I almost blew my cover, saying, I heard you’re one of their top customers. I groan aloud at my mistake.

There’s absolutely no way for me to have known that. I need to be more careful.

They arranged everything for me. All I needed to do was read his rules and accept his offer.

Then, show up.

Do my part. Keep the money. Give them what they want.

I can’t mess this up. Not again. I need to figure out why he sent me away last time and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Fool me once, shame on you.

Twice?

And I picture the worst: Cass on the floor, covered in red, her phone in her hand, my number her last call. She’s clutching Ryan in her blood-streaked arms.

Love is weakness, and weakness can get you killed. Or, if you’re my sister, in a wheelchair.

Cass fell in love with the wrong man. Caleb Cutright. The hottest and richest guy at her university with a panty-melting Scottish accent and a muscular body. Caleb was a billionaire and highland romance all rolled into one.

Later we found out where his endless supply of money came from; he’s the son of the don of a dangerous gang in Glasgow called the Hoax, a criminal organization deeply involved in drug trafficking.

Caleb convinced Cass that he had come to England to earn a business degree, secure a respectable job, and escape his family’s crimes.

However, we also discovered that the mafia runs in the blood. It’s not something a man can run from.

She was a broke college student who worked extremely hard. In the end, he beat her. She tried to leave him for Ryan’s sake. He beat her again, partially paralyzed her, and now she’s in a wheelchair.

I wouldn’t have made a deal with the Morettis unless it was absolutely necessary. But money can't buy the protection we need.

Caleb can find us. His people can find us.

I have to hold up my end of the bargain so they will honor theirs.

After I finish my task, there will be no more violent men in our lives.

Makeup done, I walk into the kitchen, where Cass is struggling to open the wine bottle. The countertops are too high, so she has the bottle clamped between her thighs as she twists.

She growls through clenched teeth without looking up. “Don’t you dare ask.”

I raise my hands in surrender. “Wasn’t going to!” It’s too painful to watch, though, so I settle on the edge of a kitchen chair and distract myself with my phone.

Ten minutes later, it’s thirty minutes before I have to leave.

Enough time to share the glass of wine Cass is finally bringing over.

I hold up my glass to cheers. “Thanks.”

We make sure our eyes meet as we clink glasses. If your eyes don’t meet, it’s seven years of boring sex.

But I’m a virgin.

My laughter fades.

Sex with him would be anything but.

I’m scared.

I wasn’t worried last night, going in bold, with nothing but the money on my mind.

Now?

I tip the glass back, draining about a third of the wine down my throat. I’m filled with nerves, and my face flushes.

Cass wrinkles her nose. “Your skin’s all blotchy.”

Not wanting her to worry, I lie. “It’s the alcohol. I never drink anymore.”

“’Cause we can’t afford it.” Giggling, she takes a deep sip, the cheap wine puckering her mouth. “The only good thing about Caleb was that there was always good booze when he was around.”

Now her laughter is the one to dry up.

In their first year of marriage, drinking brought good times for the newlyweds.

Later, it brought bruises.Then, well, you know—the damage to her spine.

The wheelchair.

“Okay." I stand up and smooth my dress.

I need to leave now or I’ll lose my nerve.

“This has been lovely,” I say, “but if I don’t go now, we’re going to keep talking about Caleb, end up crying, and then where would we be?”

She twists the stem of her wine glass and finally asks the question that’s been silently hanging between us all day.

“I don’t understand.” She shakes her head. “You already have the money. Why are you going again?”

She doesn’t know about the deal I made, and she doesn’t need to. She has enough on her plate trying to heal and care for a toddler.

I smile and I lie. “He wanted me to.”

“More money?” she asks.

“Yeah,” I lie again. “Loads.”

She peers at me. “Are you sure about this?—”

“Just like last night, yes. And just like last night, please, do not call me, and I mean it. I’m going to be fine. Okay?”

“Okay.” She rolls her eyes.

I tilt the rest of my wine from my glass to hers. “Try to relax. I’ll be having fun. You’ll be playing Chutes and Ladders and going to bed by eight-thirty.”

“Nine, actually. I promised Ryan a super bath. You know how sticky he gets after ice cream.”

“Super bath? The one with all the army men and bubbles?” I ask. “Last time you left a toy soldier in the bath. I stepped on it when I showered. It hurt like hell.”

“Is that why I heard you shouting in the bathroom the other morning? You woke us up.”

“You’ll have to get up early when preschool starts.”

“Preschool! Yes. I’ll get up early for preschool. Super dance!” Cass performs some moves in her chair.

I throw my arms in the air and shake my ass. “Preschool, yeah, yeah, yeah!"

She pumps her arms in the air. “Four solid hours of peace for us, knowing he’s having fun and safe.”

“Safe. Right.” I stop dancing.

It’s almost time to leave when my phone dings from the table. I reach for it.

Your car has arrived.

I swallow the tightness in my throat. “Gotta go, sis.” I lean down to give her a quick hug.

She holds me tightly for a beat too long. Her whisper is in my ear. “Thank you, Rin.”

Okay, here come the tears threatening to spill over behind my eyes. “Welcome.”

I dash out the door. The elevator’s broken again, so I do my best in my heels as I stumble down the stairs. I’ve forgotten my coat. An icy blast of wind hits me as I rush outside.

A stunning car waits for me.

A red Aston Martin. It’s not lost on me that it’s one of the most sought-after cars in the UK. A nod to my England, or just a coincidence?

He seems like someone who doesn’t believe in coincidences.

A familiar, tattooed man stands next to the sedan, ready to open the back door for me. Tonight, I don’t try to run from him. Instead, I extend a hand.

“Pleasure to run into you again, Mack.” I smile.

He shakes my hand and says, “Miss Croft. Nice to see you again, too.”

I slip into the backseat. “Thank you.” I’ve never smelled leather like this before. The interior envelops me in silky, smooth luxury.

He gets behind the wheel, saying, “You must be freezing,” as he cranks up the heat. “Mr. Bachman left something for you on the seat.”

I look to my right. Folded on the seat is a cream-colored wool coat. I lift it, holding it out for inspection. The inside is lined with a snuggly white fur.

“It’s a new coat.” Something shifts inside my cold heart. “He bought this?”

“Went out himself. He wasn’t pleased with your last one. Said it was too thin for this weather.” He meets my eye in the review mirror. “And tonight he’d be upset you were without one at all.”

I give him a grin. “He won’t have to know, will he?”

I slip my arms into the coat's sleeves. Instantly, I feel classy and elegant.It fits like it was made for me. The fabric is soft, warm, and beautiful, the color so different from my typical blacks and grays. It’s stunning.

I can still feel the heat of his gaze roving over my body last night, taking me in like he was memorizing every inch. He not only knew I’d be cold, but he also estimated my size perfectly.

Content in my surroundings, I stare out the window as the city slowly transforms—rundown buildings turning into glamorous ones—and I think about the man with the cold eyes and warm hands.

How I have to betray him to survive.