Chapter 2Black Friday Bruises

He saw me trying to leave and yanked me back by the arm. "I told you to find my new Hermès pants! Are you deaf?"

A man with a three-thousand-dollar monthly salary who wore Hermès. If my mother didn't slip us cash every few weeks, he wouldn't be able to afford boxer shorts.

He hadn’t mentioned the package, so he hadn't found it yet. I had to get out, get to my parents' house where I would be safe.

"They're in the closet, just look for them yourself," I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "My mom just called. She has ten thousand dollars in cash for me. I'll just go pick it up and come right back."

The mention of my mother's money instantly softened his expression.

"Your mother knows her place," he said with a smirk. "If it wasn't for her money, I would've kicked a poor, ugly thing like you to the curb years ago."

I nodded placatingly, turning to open the door. But he grabbed me again.

"Find my pants first. Your first priority is always, always, to serve me."

Trevor shoved me back towards the bedroom. Standing in front of the closet, my limbs began to tremble. I couldn't bear to think of the horror that would unfold if he found that package.

He looked at me, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "What are you so afraid of?" His voice suddenly rose to a shout. "You're not hiding a man in here, are you?!"

I flinched, my whole body shaking. I was terrified of him beating me senseless, but he saw it as guilt. "Lina Reed, you dare cheat on me? I'll find your lover, strip you both naked, and parade you through the neighborhood!"

He began tearing the apartment apart like a madman. A small part of me relaxed. As long as he didn't search the closet, he wouldn't find the package.

He ransacked the living room, the kitchen, the bathroom. Finally, he stormed back into the bedroom and flung open the closet door.

His eyes landed on the lumpy pile of clothes in the corner. He reached for it.

My heart leaped into my throat. The package was right at the bottom.