Page 70 of Forgotten Sacrifice

Tossing a stack of sticky notes to the side, I find a hundred dollar bill. “Don’t mind if I do.” I shove the money in my pocket, closing the drawer.

Falling to my knees, I search underneath his desk. “Ah ha!” I rip the taped key ring from its hiding spot.

Twirling the ring around my finger, I hurry to the door and try each key in the lock until I find the winner.

Vince thinks he can keep me hidden like some dirty little secret? Sor-ry.

I lock the door behind me, sneaking down the hall. As I recall from my first “visit” to this club, the door to my left leads to the gambling hall. I try the handle, but it’s locked. Grabbing my trusty key ring, I try the keys until I find the correct one.

No sooner have I stepped inside when a strong arm bands around my wrist and slams my body against the wall.

“Oww.”

“Who are you?” An Italian man with a headset demands.

“I’m Luna. A family friend of Vince’s,” I explain in a rush.

His eyes roam over my body as he smiles, and a disgusting feeling washes over me. “Ah, it’s nice to officially meet you, Luna. I’m Sal.”

“Could you let go of my arm?” I say.

“No wonder he’s keeping you as hisgoomah. Don’t blame him.”

“I don’t know what that means,” I say, trying to wiggle out of his firm grasp.

Leaning closer, he says, “It means I’d gladly risk the time for this jailbait pussy.”

“Gross.” I make a face.

He says something in his headset, and while he’s distracted, I jerk away from his hold and sprint away from him. Spotting a woman seated at the bar, I make a beeline toward her.

The bartender disappears to the back, and needing something after that unsettling encounter with Sal, I reach over the bar and snatch a beer. Knocking the bottle on the side of the bar, the cap flies off. “Cheers.” I salute the woman beside me before taking a sip. I’m not sure if it’s the mother of all hangovers still fresh in my psyche, or the way that disgusting dude leered at me, but my stomach churns. I continue to hold the bottle anyway, to give my hands something to do.

“Aren’t you a little young to be here?” The exotic-looking woman asks. I don’t think she’s Italian, but I can’t place her heritage.

I raise an eyebrow. “In this illegal gambling establishment?”

“Fair enough.” She flashes a friendly smile. “What’s your name?”

“Luna.” Vince answers for me in a growl, jerking the bottle out of my hand and tossing it in the trash.

I smirk. “Uh-oh.Daddy’shere.” Dammit, how did he find me so soon?

Vince yanks me out of the stool. “Don’t fucking call me that.” He grits.

“Is everything okay?” The woman asks in a concerned tone.

“Yes,” Vince says.

“No.” I roll my eyes. “My guardian seems to think he’s in charge of my life.”

“My ward seems to forget her guardianisin charge of her life,” Vince informs me.

“My guardian seems to forget that I’m a legal adult now.” I turn to the woman. “What’s your name?”

“Kat.”

“Hi, Kat. I’m Luna. This buzzkill is Vince; I wouldn’t confuse him for a friend,” I stage-whisper.