Page 23 of Dagger's Property
“Church.” She blows out a drag of smoke. “Everyone except for the prospects has to attend.”
“What do they discuss in church?” Being the Prez’s daughter, she surely knows something. Vale won’t tell me anything. He says that what’s discussed in church stays in church, which to me translates to “illegal dealings.”
“I don’t know. Nothing ever leaves that room. And Ripper and Raid never discuss anything in front of me.”
“How come they have to watch over you?”
“My father did something to piss off some big-time drug lord and now he’s out for revenge. That’s why I’m not allowed to leave the compound.”
She’s not allowed to leave?
“As in ever, or just without your guards?”
“Nope.” She takes another drag, blowing it out slow. “The last time I was taken out was on my sixteenth birthday. Since then, I’ve been grounded to this place.”
I suppose that’s what it feels like. Being grounded.
“Wow. That seriously sucks.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Here.” I hold out the pack of smokes for her. “Sounds like you need these more than me.”
“Thanks, but I’ll get in trouble if I get caught with those.”
Jesus, she’s like a prisoner.
“So then what do you do for fun up here?”
“I’m in school most days, then spend my nights surfing the web, living vicariously through everyone’s reels. Some nights, I’ll hang with the guys and play pool or poker. Raid will play war with me. And then sometimes I come out here with Ripper and swim.”
To her it’s probably a boring existence, but I’d give anything not to have to face the world. People can be cruel.
“So, what about dating?” I ask.
“No,” she says it with a bite. “My father would kill anyone who tried to touch me.”
That means she’s trapped up here with all those hormones surrounded by all these hot men and she can’t do anything about it. I’d probably have run away by now. Either that or secretly bribed someone to fuck me.
“So, you’ve never had a boyfriend?”
She shakes her head. “Fucked up, right?”
Yeah, I’ll say. “Have any of the guys even tried?” She’s so beautiful, I’m shocked no one has tried to sneak a kiss or have a secret relationship with her.
“Ripper would kill them if they even looked at me wrong. No one would dare. It’s my dad’s most sacred law.”
Geez. And here I thought Vale was overbearing. This girl is living like a nun.
“So, you and Dag?” she asks, and my entire body freezes under her question. She obviously heard what Cherry had to say back there. “Don’t worry. My mouth is sealed, but you should know these walls are very thin. Cherry isn’t the only one who’s heard.”
I need another cigarette to process that fun fact. Here we thought we were being sneaky, and now everyone seems to know. I don’t know how Vale is going to feel about that. There’s more at stake for him to lose. Though, no one has seemed to be treating him any different.
“It’s not like we grew up together,” I tell her. “We only lived under the same roof for three years.”
“You won’t find any judgment from me. I have feelings for a man who’s been like a father to me my whole life. Clearly, I have some serious issues.” I wonder which one of her bodyguards she’s into. My money would be put on Raid. He’s the nice one. Ripper is just downright scary. “So, do your parents know that there’s something going on with you two? Is that why you moved out here?”
“God no! They would shit themselves if they found out.” But I don’t really care what they think. I know Vale does though. He and his dad actually have a good relationship. “Things just started between us, and I honestly don’t know what we are.”
