Page 4 of Broken

"Why me? I’m guessing you don't do this for everyone who owes you money, so why me?" she whispers. She has so much insecurity in her voice, it makes me smile. Her eyes are downcast and she is slumped in a way that a girl as beautiful as her should never be. I walk towards her very slowly, trying to gauge her reaction. It reminds me of those damn nature shows Father likes to watch. I am the predator and I am slowly stalking towards my prey. I make myself look as non-threatening as possible and use no sudden movements to spook the prey. Then once I’m within striking distance, the prey is mine.

I move towards Ava and I see her eyes lift slightly to see me coming towards her and her chocolate eyes start to sparkle. When I am finally within touching distance, she stands tall and finally looks me in the eye, clearly her armour is back in place. I will make sure it’s gone before she even realises it. I give her one of my famous boy next door, soft smiles and I cannot resist touching her. She is my enigma and I have to know what is so special about her. I raise my hand slowly and gently cup her cheek. As I touch her, she breathes out a little sigh and then moves slightly into my touch. Her skin is soft and smooth, like holding pure silk. I cannot resist touching more and so I begin rubbing the pad of my thumb slowly across her face in a soothing gesture. I see the edges to her plump red lips turn up into a small smile and despite all of my efforts to the contrary, my dick responds. I am imagining ruining these plump, succulent lips by ramming my cock as far down her throat as I can. I then picture, instead of gently stroking her cheek as I am now, I would grab her throat, hold her tightly where I want her. Show her who's boss. If I want to take away her air, I will. This is unexpected, I never planned on using sex to manipulate her to get what I want, but with the way she is leaning into me, I think that the whore might quite like it.

I am so absorbed in my fantasy, thinking about how I will make it a reality, I don’t even realise Ava is still waiting for me to answer her question. It’s only when Ryder subtly coughs from by the door, gesturing for us to go inside when we are ready, that I truly get pulled back to the present.

Obviously, I don't want to let Ava know why I just spaced out for a short amount of time, I'm supposed to be winning her over, not scaring her off. So, I decide to use this to my advantage once again and turn on the charm.

"I'm sorry, princess, it's just that you are so beautiful and I couldn't help myself. The answer to your question, Ava, whether you believe it or not, is that I chose you because I think you are worth it." I say it with such conviction, but in my mind I am trying to hold back the disgust I feel at saying that she is in any way special. She has done nothing to deserve being put on a pedestal and I will make sure she comes as far down as she can fall.

She is clearly shocked by my ‘candid’ reply and before she gets a chance to overthink the situation or my words, I need to get her inside. "Shall we?" I ask as I gesture towards the door where Ryder is standing. I’m hoping she will make the decision to enter the house willingly because if I have to drag her inside, it will severely ruin the plan, forcing me to implement plan B.

Luckily for everyone, she heads towards the door. I stay back to ensure the perimeter security is all in place and to give my security manager the go ahead to indicate we are in lock down. I need her to be fully inside the house before I can do that. As she walks up the steps, I see her taking everything in and she looks to be assessing the whole situation. Then her eyes reach Ryder and I watch as she stares at him for longer than anything else. Initially, I think nothing of it because he is a good-looking guy with that tall, dark, and handsome look he’s perfected, of course women give him a second glance. This would not be the first time, or the last. Then I realise the way Ava is looking at Ryder is more than that. She is actually checking him out and with the way she is fluttering her eyelashes, I think she is flirting. I cannot believe the fucking bitch has the nerve to practically eye fuck my friend right in front of me. Then again, I already knew she was a slut. Given the area she is from, it’s just a given. Still, she will be punished for that.

I look over at Ryder to see if he is in any way leading Ava on. Thankfully, he looks the same as he always does. He is assessing the scene around him and only glancing occasionally at Ava to determine if she is a threat. I have seen him do it a thousand times. He is protecting me, not betraying me. He has no idea who Ava is or what my intentions towards her are and until he does find out, he will always be suspicious. That is how he is trained. I should have known he would never flirt with someone on the job. Ryder is as loyal as they come. Ava, on the other hand, will need to be taught that her wandering eye will get her into trouble. The only man she needs to look at from now on is me. She may not be actively seeing anyone at the moment, but women like Ava are all the same. They use men and aren’t afraid of who gets hurt in the meantime.

Ava is completely oblivious to everything that has just gone on in my head, and realising Ryder is not interested in her whoring ways, she casts her eyes away and into the house before willingly moving inside. Just like I wanted her to do. The predator just caught his prey. I signal to my security manager to begin the procedure I have been training them for since I first came up with the plan. From the minute I step inside the building, we will be on lock down. Nobody is getting in or out of the building without my consent. The staff have had the training. I made sure I selected some of my very best employees, ones who have worked for me for a very long time and know exactly how much I require my privacy. They were trained for a situation where I needed to stay here and be guarded, a potential situation given the lifestyle I lead. What they didn’t realise is that their practise was always going to become reality. I never told anyone about my plans for Ava. Ryder designed all of this for a ‘what if’ situation, but I had something different in mind all along.

Chapter Four

Ava

As I walk into the biggest, most beautiful place I have ever seen, I can't truly take in all of its beauty because I am so on edge. I don’t know what to make of Grant or his far too generous offer. There is no denying he is smoking hot. He looks like the guy in all the movies who plays the typical captain of the football team, he’s the popular jock in high school who would have totally ignored me. He has sandy blonde hair that is just long enough for you to run your fingers through it, but not so long that it looks messy. Short on the sides and long up the top, like he isn’t quite sure what he should do with it, or maybe he knows and he isn’t allowed. Everything about this guy screams serious. He looks so pristine, I am frightened I might wrinkle his immaculately straight polo shirt, just by being near. His shirt, combined with the black slacks and perfectly polished shoes make him look smart, professional, and I am guessing older than he actually is. There are times when he smiles or when I catch him looking at me when I think I can't see the boy behind the uniform. I think this is the armour he wears when he becomes his father's son and he puts on the costume to go out and do his job. At least, that is what I hope. I really want there to be a fun-loving, carefree, young guy underneath. But, I don’t know why I want that. Maybe it’s because I feel sorry for him, who knows.

When Grant touched my cheek, I can't deny I felt a flutter in my stomach I have not felt in a while, but I also felt something else I didn’t like. There is something about Grant which screams danger to me. He is one of those things that looks perfectly safe and innocent, but in reality, it’s all an act. Whilst there is a part of me that wants his real personality to be the gorgeous boy next door, deep down I know that's not the case. This guy is trouble. I felt it from the moment I met him, the hairs on my arms went up and I was on full alert. Almost like I am prey and I can sense that there is a predator nearby. I have caught his face changing a few times when he thinks I am not looking. He has dropped his mask and his real face of anger and superiority are immediately visible. It is clear this little rich boy thinks the world should bow down to him and I am determined not to. The only problem is that I would do anything for Papa. I need him to be safe, which is why I am willingly walking into the lion's den.

Grant is the kind of guy who makes you feel constantly on edge, preparing for whatever move he has planned next and hoping you can get through it. All of that causes my stomach to churn with anxiety and worry. I wish I could stand here and tell you the somersaults I’m feeling in my stomach and the sensation of electricity running through my body is only caused by being on alert from Grant, but it isn't. My body started to spread with heat from the moment I laid eyes on Grant's gorgeous bodyguard.

I’m sure I heard Grant call him Ryder when we were back at my house. I cannot help being drawn to him. He is absolutely gorgeous. Standing next to his partner, who I think they called Vic, he looks almost small, but that is simply because Vic is unnaturally large. At about six foot six, Vic makes me look like I am an oompa loompa from the chocolate factory. It’s not just his height that is imposing, it’s also his muscles. I have never seen arms as large as his. They are literally so big, the short sleeves of his t-shirt slightly indent into the muscle because they are stretched too tight. I am sure he has ripped his fair share of t-shirts. Large, angry blue veins can be seen running over the sinew of the muscle and that sight makes my stomach turn. Nothing more unattractive on men than bulging veins. His arm muscles are big and they stretch up the back of his neck, giving the appearance that this large man doesn't even have a neck as it has been consumed by skin and muscle. He looks like an extreme body building body guard and it is clear, between the two of them, which is the brawn of the operation. So, that means that gorgeous Ryder is the brains of their team, and right now as I’m perusing his impressive body, I would love to know what he is thinking. I know I’m hoping Grant goes back to his family home and Ryder stays here for some holiday time. Then he can fuck me in every room of this massive house. But my spidey senses are tingling again, telling me the chances of that happening are slim to none, and since I don't like that thought, I go back to listening to a different kind of tingle, this time the one in my pussy that is getting wetter the more I think about Ryder.

As I ascend the steps to the house, I subtly sniff the air. The closer I get to him, the more I can smell him. I am instantly addicted to his smell, which is a mixture of peppermint, a woodsy grass-like smell, and something that is just Ryder. I really wish they could bottle it so I can spray it on all future men in my life, because I’m sure nobody will smell as perfect as him. God, when did I start to sound like this much of a girl? I don’t think this kind of shit normally, but clearly, this situation is truly messing with my brain.

Still, I can’t stop my wandering eyes. Trying to be coy about it, I rake my eyes over his toned, ripped body. The black t-shirt he wears is strained against what I am sure are rock hard abs and pecs. Not strained like Vic in an abnormal way, this is the perfect amount so I can see the contours. He is wearing perfectly sculpted dark denim jeans that I am sure if he turns around, will cling to his arse in just the right way. I make a mental note to confirm my theory as soon as possible.

While his body is everything that women look for in a man, it is his face that really wins me over. He has the most glistening emerald green eyes that so beautifully match the forest scent that is all him. His jet black hair is short at the sides but the top is long and unruly in your typical fauxhawk style that is usually only pulled off this well by male models. It’s long enough for you to grab onto as you scream his name, but not too long that it looks wrong. Everything about Ryder seems perfect, especially his gorgeous face. He looks so kind and caring, despite the brooding expression he wears continuously.

When we were back at the house and Grant was throwing accusations at Papa, I kept looking at the bodyguards to see how much trouble we were in. There’s no doubt that Vic would have shot us both right there and buried our bodies somewhere we would never be found if Grant had asked him to. The same could not be said for Ryder. Just from the fleeting glances I saw him give Grant, it’s clear he has his own mind because he is constantly evaluating the situation and trying to guess every possible situation so he can be prepared. However, there were times when he didn't know I was looking and I caught him staring at me with a strange look. It was one of sorrow and fear; clearly, he felt sorry for me and my situation. However, I also saw flashes of lust in his eyes and I could have sworn he wanted me as much as I wanted him. But as quick as those thoughts appeared on his face, the next second they would be gone. Replaced with the mask of professionalism he wears all the time, coupled with the brooding look I cannot help but be attracted to.

There’s something about Ryder that I'm drawn to and I can't deny it. He is gorgeous, intense, and yet his eyes have a kindness about them that suggests he has another side to him and that intrigues me. I can’t for the life of me work out why someone who appears to be so quintessentially good would work for someone like Grant. I know I’m making assumptions based solely off my gut reactions, but it has always led me right in the past. There’s something about Ryder that makes me believe he’s good and that I can trust him. The same cannot be said for his partner, Vic. It is clear he is Grant's guy through and through, he will do anything that is asked of him with no questions. Vic has a vacant expression and his hand is always far too near to his weapons for me to ever trust or feel safe around him.

Grant is more difficult to read but I feel like he does that on purpose. He wants me to trust him so I will stay here, but I still don’t know what his motives are and that scares me. I can’t deny that what he is offering me will change my life, but I have been raised to know that you never get anything for free in this life. Which tells me he wants something. But, he’s not the first guy to have lied to me to get what he wants. I just need to be smart, stay on my toes, work out what he wants, and see if I can use him before he does me. So when Grant walks up behind me and wraps his arms with mine to link them before throwing his fake as fuck charming smile at me, I match his grin with one of my own. I know I need to play my part, not just if I want to get the information I need, but also to ensure I get out of this shitstorm in one piece. I am dealing with London’s biggest crime family after all.

"What do you think, Ava? It really is beautiful, isn't it?" he asks, as he spins me in a circle to look all around at the elaborate entrance way. There’s no denying that it is a stunning property. White marble is everywhere, all up the walls and on the floors, making it seem so shiny. Directly in front of me is a big staircase that goes up to the first floor before splitting off into a balcony that stretches to both sides of the house. The stairs are so grand and elegant. In fact, every bit of this place has exactly the type of finishing touches I would choose if I was ever decorating a house like this. I can't help being in awe of how stunning this place is.

"It's really amazing, Grant. If I owned this property, I would live in it all the time. I don’t know how you can stand to be away," I say with a wistful edge to my voice. Girls who come from the side of town that I’m from don’t end up in houses like this, unless it’s to clean them or steal from them.

"One day you will have a house just like this one. I am sure of it," he says with such conviction that for a split second, I almost believe him. Then I remember who I am and why I’m here. The absurdity of his comment has me laughing, but not just a cute little giggle. No, the craziness of the situation has caused my whole body to shake and fall into a proper belly laugh.

My eyes are streaming with tears of laughter and my stomach is cramped from laughing so much when I finally calm down. Wiping away the tears from my eyes, I look over at the three men in the room with me. Grant is looking at me with a mixture of confusion and revulsion that causes insecurity to ripple across my skin and I shrink back. Vic is looking at me like I am a mental patient and I realise his hand is poised a little nearer to his gun as though in this manic state I might become more of a threat. But it’s Ryder’s beaming smile that catches me off guard the most. He is the only one who understood why I was laughing and he is looking at me like seeing me laugh genuinely made him happy. I tell my brain to ignore the butterflies that begin to flutter in my stomach because nothing can ever happen. But the fact that Ryder knew why Grant’s words were a joke to me, tells me he knows what it’s like to live on the other side of town. To be raised with nothing and to do what is expected of you, even if it’s not your dream. Maybe that explains why a guy like Ryder is doing a job like this.

"What’s so funny?" Grant asks through gritted teeth, pulling me out of my thoughts. Clearly he doesn’t like to not be included in the joke, or maybe he doesn’t like girls laughing at him.

"Girls like me, who come from my neighborhood, don't get to live in houses like this, Grant. That’s just not in our futures and I’m okay with that," I explain and it’s true. To some people, it may look like I live in a shit house, but to others it looks like a castle. To me, it’s a modest sized house. I have my own space and it is well loved. It’s my family home, where I grew up and made memories. Every part of my mum is in that house and that makes it better than any mansion. Yes, I would love to have a bigger house, one a bit less run down in a better part of town, but to me, family is more important. I would rather spend any money I make ensuring I give my future husband and kids a happy home where we create memories.

"Don't ever compare yourself to the girls in your neighbourhood. You are a princess next to them and I don't want to hear any more about it. I have a very good feeling that you will be living in a house like this sooner than you realise," he says with a hard edge to his voice that he has been careful not to let slip before now. I don’t like the demanding tone and although everything screams at me to be cautious around this guy, I’m not good with guys trying to control me. Obviously, he sees the urge to argue back with him flare in my eyes because he stops me.

"Come, let me show you what will be your room," he says to me, again leaving no room for argument. Before I know it, his arm that is currently linked with mine, slides down and captures my hand. He laces his fingers through mine and clasps our hands together. He gives my hand a little squeeze. I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be a comforting gesture or his way of asserting control by telling me he isn’t letting go. Either way, my skin prickles and my stomach starts to flip. Being this close to him sets me on edge, but I don’t know how to get away.

Chapter Five

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