Page 2 of Protected By Her Daddy

“Jerry and I were just talking about you. You know we’ve been friends and business partners for years.”

Business partners? The idea of Gregory running a business is laughable. He spends his days high or drunk, and not once has he contributed financially to this household.

I look at him blankly. “What the hell has your business got to do with me?”

Gregory's face darkens as he closes the distance between us, gripping my arm painfully. “It means it’s time for you to earn your keep. It’s time to repay me for taking on you and your mom.”

I try to wrench my arm free, anger flaring despite my fear. “I don't owe you anything.”

His grip tightens as I attempt to pull away. “You're gonna do what I say,” he snarls. “We need the money.”

My stomach tightens with dread, and bile rises in my throat. “You mean you need the drugs.”

Gregory releases me, but the reprieve is brief as Jerry pushes him aside and grabs my hair, yanking my head back. Pain explodes through my scalp, but I refuse to scream. I won't give him the satisfaction.

“This has been on the cards since you were ten years old, Wren,” he snaps, his breath hot and foul against my face. “You’re a beauty, and our buyer is paying a lot of money for your virgin pussy.”

Buyer? I shake my head, unable to fully process his words. They sell women? Girls? And now they’re selling me? Dear God, no. This is a nightmare, and I need to wake up.

“Just be grateful that Gregory still had a few morals when he married your mom. If it’d been down to me, you would’ve been auctioned off long before you were legal.” He inhales deeply as he runs his nose up my neck. “We’ve been patient, but now it’s time to play your part.”

I spit in his face. “Get the fuck away from me.”

My head whips to the side as he slaps me. His gaze moves to Gregory, hovering by the table. “You’re right. She’s a feisty little bitch. Should’ve drugged her first. Get the ropes.” His smile is chilling as he returns his attention to me. “Time to take a little trip. But don’t worry, the man we’re giving you to loves a woman who makes him fight for it.”

I whimper, pushing down the nausea. My heart pounds in my chest, the vibration echoing in my ears. This can't be happening.

“No,” I whisper, the word catching in my throat. “People w-will notice if I d-disappear. Mom. My friends at c-college.”

Jerry tips his head back at laughs. “Your mother wouldn’t know if you were alive or dead, rotting away up there in her bed. And since when do you have friends?”

His words chill my blood because he’s right. I learned early on to keep people at a distance. No one wanted to be friends with the eight-year-old girl with holes in her clothes who smelled of lice shampoo. No one wanted to be friends with the socially awkward teenager who hid in the library and wouldn’t look anyone in the eye. By the time I got to college, I’d perfected the icy barrier that kept everyone at arm’s length.

Gregory’s gaze flickers like he might regret what he’s doing, but then it hardens again as his decision settles in. “You don’t get a choice. You don’t get to say no. Not unless you want your poor, addicted mom to suffer an unfortunate overdose.”

His words hang in the air, and dread pools in my stomach. “You fucking bastard!”

The kitchen spins as Jerry shakes me. The room closes in around me as I struggle frantically, my breath coming in panicked gasps.

“No, let me go!” I scream, but it only seems to fuel their determination.

Jerry’s fingers dig painfully into my scalp. The pain becomes blinding, but I focus on one thing—escape. His face flushes red with anger, and he slams me against the wall. I’m still wearing my backpack, which cushions some of the impact. Still, I’m sure my back will be black and blue tomorrow.

He grips my throat, digging his fingers into my windpipe. “You ungrateful little?—”

With every ounce of strength I possess, I bring my knee up sharply into Jerry’s groin. His grip loosens enough for me to break free. I don’t wait. I stumble, nearly toppling over, but somehow find my balance.

Gregory lunges, but he’s been drinking, and I’m faster. I dodge his reach, the years of pent-up fear and anger giving me a burst of speed. I slam into the front door, wrench it open, and sprint into the night.

My heart thunders in my chest and my lungs burn. I hear them behind me, but I don’t look back. I can’t. Gregory's curses and Jerry’s angry shouts fade behind me as I push my trembling limbs hard.

“You know what I’ll do to your mother if you don’t come back here right now, Wren!” Gregory shouts.

A sob catches in my throat.

How can I leave her?

How can I not?

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