"But not children, no f.u.c.king children."

Virgo and Machi were staring at each other, their pupils as small as pinp.r.i.c.ks as if they were having a silent battle. Machi balled his fists, his knuckles turning bright white as he bared his teeth.

"Look, you came to me for a reason," Virgo finally said, his voice low and firm. "I won't deal with any bulls.h.i.+t, and I certainly won't deal with some a.s.shole that I don't know, coming into my home and questioning me."

"Of course, Machi is sorry." Ethan c.o.c.ked his head and looked at Machi. "Apologize to the man, you're disrespecting him in his own home."

"f.u.c.k that, I won't apologize for s.h.i.+t." Leaning back, he folded his arms across his chest. "You brought me because Sylvan respects my judgment. I don't think we need this s.h.i.+t. Foreign women, who might carry some s.h.i.+t we're not aware of—is that what Sylvan really wants? At least we know what our girls have before we do anything. This is a risk, Ethan, a huge risk. It's like finding out your puppy is sick after you already bought it from the pet store."

Ethan's face tensed as he spoke through clenched teeth. "This is not the time nor the place, Machi. This is what Sylvan wants, so this is what we're doing."

"Did you forget about the Russian girl ? How do we know she didn't come from this p.r.i.c.k?"

Virgo slammed his fist down, pus.h.i.+ng out his voice across the table. "I don't deal in Russian wh.o.r.es." Taking in a deep breath, he ran flat palms down the front of his suit. "Look, I can get you what you want, and it won't be s.h.i.+t. My girls are top of the line." Slipping his hand down Val's head, a devious smile spread across his face. "Sylvan knows this, which is why he sent you to me." Bouncing a hand in the air, he rested back in his seat. "Gentlemen, I'm willing to do this deal, I'm willing to take a risk on this, because I think it can work for all of us. But I won't tolerate any bulls.h.i.+t."

"Understood," Ethan said, glancing back at Machi. "Do you think you can shut your f.u.c.king mouth, Machi?"

"As long as I don't see anyone under the age of eighteen, we won't have an issue. We're all aware of the danger in that, right?" Arching a brow, Machi peered at Virgo, bringing his chest right against the edge of the table.

"Do I look like a fool?" Virgo asked.

"Well, there is a fifteen year old girl sitting right behind you. So, you tell me."

"She's none of your f.u.c.king concern. I won't tell you that again."

Machi flicked his eyes to me, but this time I didn't look away. His face had softened, as if he was hoping I could read his mind. He looked like he wanted to say more to me, but he didn't, simply nodding his head as his eyes floated back to Virgo.

"Can we get down to business now?" Ethan asked as he smoked his cigar.

The two talked numbers, going back and forth until they both seemed satisfied with the end results. I sat in shock, fully aware that the man I had been living with wasn't just hiring prost.i.tutes for himself or holding women against their will. . .

He was selling them like livestock.

"I'll be in touch soon." Virgo said with a smile as he stood up and shook Ethan's hand. "Let me walk you out." Looking back at me, he nodded his head. "Come, my sweet child."

Standing up, I followed a little behind the men. Virgo and Ethan were talking and laughing as we made our way to the front door. My eyes were itching to see that door as temptation to run out it the second it was opened rushed through my brain.

My blood began to pump hard, my heart beat faster and faster as that temptation twisted into a viable opportunity.

He'll kill you if you try that. You'll never make it, one of them will grab you.

Talking myself out of it, I realized how stupid of an idea it was. There were four grown men between me and that door, there was no way in h.e.l.l I'd make it through.

Watching my feet as I walked, I felt the weight of someone beside me. Looking up, Machi had trickled back, his pace matching mine.

Keeping his head forward, he softly whispered. "If you need my help, just say the word."

The way he said it made me almost believe him. He seemed sincere, real, like the thought of a child being in this home made him concerned.

Parting my lips to speak, I couldn't find my voice. I knew what Virgo was capable of, I knew how he handled a troubled situation. And I promised myself that I wouldn't let anyone else die because of me.

Holding onto the single word I knew would start a war, I held my breath and kept my eyes on my feet.

Machi could be telling the truth, or it could be a test. There was no way for me to really know.

But if he was being honest, there was no way in h.e.l.l I would let him risk his life for me.

I wasn't worth that kind of trouble.

Virgo made that clear with every person he killed around me.

The men all shook hands again, Ethan was smiling, telling Virgo he was happy they would be working together. Fior hadn't said a word, simply nodding along like a d.a.m.n puppet.

Machi stepped to Virgo, resting his hand on his shoulder and squeezing. Standing much taller, he lowered his face as his nostrils flared. "And just so we're clear, if I find out you touched that girl before she's eighteen—" His fingertips tightened, causing Virgo to wince. "I'll come back and f.u.c.king kill you. Understand?"

Virgo glanced between Ethan and Fior, but neither one stepped in.

Machi's voice dropped, his tone laced with dark threats. "Understood?"

"Of course."

Slapping him on the shoulder, Machi glanced in my direction, his eyes soft and sincere.

And just like that he was gone.

I didn't say a word. I didn't yell for him to take me.

I stood like a statue, letting him go.