“Lilith, you forgot the box.” she turns, winks at me, and puts on her glasses.
“You keep it, love. It will do you good to know what luxury feels like.” and like that, she walks out, leaving me in a cloud of confusion. I mean, sure, the money sounds amazing…but I can’t...can I?
1
Eden
One Week Later
Ugh. I have been working doubles for a week straight, trying to make sure I have enough to keep the lights on and pay Claudia, the lady that watches Katya for me. I am working on little to no sleep and barely any food. I make sure Kat eats first. Thank God they let me bring food from the diner home at night.
Opening the door, I look around and see things are clean, and nothing looks out of the ordinary. “Katya. Claudia. I’m home.” I yell out as I drop the containers of food on the counter. Walking into the living room, no one is here. I am about to go up the stairs when I hear her little footsteps.
“Edie,” she shouts, jumping into my arms. I hug her little body to me and take a moment to soak in her innocence and trust. This little girl is everything that is good in the world. Ordinarily, I would say that innocence is overrated. I mean, let’s be real; the less you know, the more vulnerable you are. But looking in her loving face, I can’t help but be grateful she doesn’t yet know how awful the world is. Right now, her world comprises me, her babysitter, and occasionally my dad. Speaking of.
“Little sun, where is Claudia?” I ask her, noting she hasn’t come down the stairs yet.
“She left. She said daddy told her we didn’t need her anymore when he came home. I was sad. Can you tell her to come back? I really like her.” her little face is all bunched up. So cute. I am pissed, though. How can he dismiss someone I am paying for?
“So, who is here with you?” I ask her, hoping like hell she hasn’t been here by herself.
“Daddy is downstairs, I think. What did you bring me to eat?” she asks, bouncing on the stools. She loves the food from Roxy’s.
“Foxy sent you some chicken fingers, fries, and apple pie.”
“Yay!!” She says before digging into her food. Grabbing some milk out of the fridge, I pour her a cup and sit it next to her.
“Stay here and eat little sun. I will be right back.” She nods, not paying me any attention. I check upstairs first for my dad but don’t see. I notice as I am walking back to the kitchen, that the backdoor is ajar. Opening it, I peek my head out and see him talking to someone, no one should ever talk to. Lennon Semenov. He is the brother of the leader of the Bratva here. I should turn back and walk inside, pretend I don’t see him, but having him here, talking to my dad, seems enough of a reason to know what the hell is going on. I slink out the door without being seen and slide into the shadows. From this distance, they can’t see me, but I can hear them.
“You owe my brother a substantial amount, Vastiya. You know he does not take kindly to debt remaining outstanding,” he says to my father with a gun pointed at him. I bring my hand to my mouth as I hold in the gasp at the knowledge that it somehow involves my father with the Semenov brothers.
“I know. I am going to pay you back. I swear it.”
“You will, will you? How are you going to come up with Fifty thousand dollars in a week?” oh shit. There is no way he can give him that. We are going to have to run. I find I have heard enough. I am slowly making my way back inside when what I hear next stops me cold.
“I have daughters. One is eighteen and the other five. I can...sell them to you. Right? I mean, I am sure the oldest can be of some use, and the little one...well...I don’t know. But they have to be worth something...no? Girls aren’t really good for much else.” That son of a bitch. Am I really hearing this right? Is he offering my sister and me as payment?
“You are a sick fuck. What twisted God gave you daughters? We don’t deal in women and children. However, I will pass along your offer to Viktor. You have one week, Vastiya, before your daughters are orphans. Might be the best thing to happen to them.” he mumbles the last part before walking out of the gate. I make it back inside without my father knowing, my legs and arms shaking as I try to take in what I heard.