Page 50 of Torn Souls

Kirill throws his head back and laughs as Baker takes a menacing step forward as Huck and I stand from our seats. “Proper? You’re selling your daughter, and you want to talk about proper?” Kirill’s questions are menacing after he calms and levels Chambers with a look. “She will stay right where she is. Where she has been for the last few days.”

The threat and the accusation hangs heavy in the air. The man in front of us had no idea where his daughter has even been. He didn’t care.

None of us believe he cares now. But he wants a chance to threaten her and remind her about her role to play in this situation.

It’s not going to happen.

Kirill doesn’t wait for Chambers to agree, he simply keeps talking as if his word is law, “Oh, and Richard? If you have put any feelers out there about other options in suitors for your daughter, you will make sure that it is known she is spoken for.”

Chambers pales slightly but gives a curt nod. His shrewd eyes land on Oaklynn who still hasn’t looked up. “Walk me to the elevator, Oaklynn,” he demands.

Kirill pats her ass twice, giving her permission to get up off his lap. She stands gracefully and glances at her father. “Of course, Father,” her voice is detached and formal.

I hate it.

She follows behind her father, the office door closing behind the pair. Baker is already pressing something on his tablet and the video from the hallway comes up on the television. We can all see very clearly when Chambers grips Oaklynn’s arm in a punishing grip.

“You fucking bitch,” he grits out through his teeth. “You went around me and came here. What did you think was going to happen? That Volkov was going to save you? You stupid fucking girl.”

“I thought he might be more agreeable if I came to speak to him on my own,” Oaklynn’s voice is a soft whisper.

I can see the way her jaw is clenched as his fingers dig deeper into her arm. It takes everything in me not to stand up and storm out there.

“He doesn’t care that he’ll probably leave marks behind,” Huck growls.

All I can do is nod absently.

“What did you tell them?” Chambers looms over our woman as he asks, clearly trying to threaten her.

“Nothing.” When he doesn’t respond and just continues to stare at her, she sighs. “I promise. I didn’t say anything. It felt like an interview, you know?” He gives her no reaction, and she shrugs one shoulder. “He asked about my hobbies and education. I think he wanted to figure out if I would be a good wife for him.”

Chambers scoffs, “Being a wife is the only thing you’re good for.” Chambers growls threateningly, “You better remember what you’re here to do. I expect updates and information. Don’t fuck this up.”

“Yes, father,” she murmurs.

He releases our woman’s arm as the sound of heels clicking on the floor comes from the reception area. Chambers looks over his shoulder and then shoots a warning look toward Oaklynn.

“I’ll see you soon,” Chambers promises.

When he turns and strides down the hallway, Betty comes into view with a smirk on her face. Oaklynn raises her chin and looks at Betty like she’s a bug to be crushed.

It makes my cock throb behind the fly of my pants. She’s so fucking hot when she’s being the strong woman, I know her to be.

“So, you’re just a whore,” Betty spits at our woman.

Oaklynn arches an eyebrow at Betty and smirks. “You shouldn’t talk out of turn,” there’s a warning in her voice, “when you don’t know what you’re talking about. You’ll know soon enough.”

Before Betty can say anything, she turns and slides into the office without looking back. She looks up at the television which is still streaming the camera from the hall just in time to see Betty stomp her foot and let out a little scream of annoyance like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

Oaklynn shakes her head before making eye contact with each one of us. Her shoulders slump and she lets out a breath as if everything that just happened was too heavy for her to carry.

We’re all up and surrounding her, our hands reaching out to run over the finger sized bruises already forming on her arms. I let out a growl, the need to go and hunt Chambers down almost overwhelming me.

“You saw everything?” She asks while nodding toward the television. Our angry grunts are enough of an answer for her considering the little chuckle she lets out. “I’m okay,” Oaklynn assures us, but none of us believe her.

“He marred your skin,” Kirill’s voice is deadly as he runs a finger over the bruises again.

Oaklynn’s eyes flare with determination as she looks up at Kirill who has taken the spot in front of her. Baker, who is behind her, grips her hips and gives a squeeze. I glance across to where Huck is staring at the bruise on her arm with his jaw clenched and his breathing heavy.

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