Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Susan hadn’t behaved when they brought her out. Even drugged up, she wouldn’t shut up and begged for someone to save her. She even asked for someone to kill her husband, and that was where he and Susan’s friendship started. She had money, the husband did not. In the event of her kidnapping or death, the husband would inherit the fortune—again, another reason to sell her to the highest bidder, to use her, and then kill her. They’d told Susan their plans and made an enemy out of her.
Diago had killed them all, from the husband, to the traffickers, to the buyers, and Susan had offered him her entire fortune. Instead, he’d asked for something else—friendship whenever he needed it.
He was a cold-hearted killer, with enemies far and wide, he knew the risks his life posed, and that one day he might need someone close, someone willing to be his friend. Susan had become that friend. One he’d never used, until Vanessa. It was an unusual friendship, but one he knew Susan valued. She hadn’t gotten close to anyone since that experience. Only he knew what she went through.
There was no press when they arrived at the venue, and Diago couldn’t help but smile. Tonight was going to be fun.
“Do I have to come with you?” Vanessa asked, glancing down at her body.
Diago was very much aware of the garments her parents made her wear, drab things that hung off her shoulders, with no real shape. He’d not gone for a tent to hide her under.
The dress he chose enhanced her large tits, slightly smaller waist, hips, and ass. Not to mention her thighs. The slit in the skirt of the dress teased the thigh, and he was finding it hard to concentrate around her. She was driving him to distraction, which was not a bad place to be. But tonight, he had to stay focused.
“Yes,” Diago said.
He climbed out of his car and handed the keys to the valet as he rounded for Vanessa’s door, stopping any man that would do this honor for him.
Susan had worked a dream. He had told her not to hide the scar, so she’d brought all of Vanessa’s blonde tresses, curled down one shoulder. She looked stunning. There was a pin at the nape of her neck holding her hair in place.
Vanessa wore minimal makeup, again, to enhance her beauty, not to hide who she was. Diago didn’t need that scar hidden. He found her beautiful with it. There was no reason for her to hide any part of herself from him.
With the door open, he held out his hand for her to take, and she did hesitate, but he waited patiently. Seven years, she’d been forced to dress a certain way, to hide who she was, to be ashamed of who she was. Not anymore. Diago loved making a statement; at least right now, with Vanessa, he did.
In the back of his mind, he flashed to that moment he walked into the damp, mold-infested basement where they were holding her. He didn’t know if Vanessa was aware that he’d been the one to save her. The blood loss and infection had made her delirious as he stepped into the room. She’d been mumbling incoherent words, stumbling over them at the same time. When he released her, she’d nearly toppled over onto the cement floor, but he’d caught her in his arms.
He’d never cared about anyone in his life, not even Susan. He respected her desire to live, admired her courage to still fight, but it hadn’t mattered to him if she lived or died.
With Vanessa collapsed in his arms, nearly at death’s door, he had felt something. Her blonde hair had been covered in dirt and blood. The stench of her was enough to make people faint, but he hadn’t cared. What had mattered to him in that moment, was getting her to live. He didn’t want to see that young woman die.
Slowly, over the last seven years, he had watched the men and her family crush her. She’d lost her smile, that sparkle that made her unique. He hated it.
But he’d waited. Bided his time. And now, they were not going to take her from him. Vanessa belonged to him, and they were going to realize the error of their ways.
She climbed out of the car, and even in the heels she didn’t reach eye level with him. He held his arm out, and she took it gratefully. Susan had already warned him she was a little unsteady on heels, so he held her tightly, and together they walked into the gala.
“Do you know the charity your father controls?” Diago asked.
“No, I just know it is important and he doesn’t want anyone to ask too many questions. Not a lot of people help to manage it, because he doesn’t want them taking from the fund. Why?”