My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 149

Chapter 149

Just a quick note: Gianna is meant to be an unreliable narrator due to her mental health, so her narration may seem all over the place at times. That’s intentional and part of her character.

Gianna

The air outside Cole Mercer’s pub smelled like wet trash and exhaust, but inside, it was worse. It smelled like stale cigarettes and men who hadn’t showered in days.

I led the way, my shoulders pulled back and my jaw locked so tight it ached. Brianna, Emma, and Jasmine were right behind me. I could hear their fast, shallow breathing. They were terrified, and honestly, so was I, but I couldn’t show it.

Two massive men in greasy leather jackets stood by the door. Their knuckles were scarred, and their eyes were flat and cold as they looked us up and down. One of them reached out, his hand grazing my hip as I passed, and I swiped his arm away with a snarl.

“Don’t touch me,” I hissed.

He just laughed, a low, wet sound, and kicked the inner door open.

The pub was lit by the yellow light from the overhead lamps barely cutting through the thick haze of smoke. It was loud, shouting, glass clinking, and a heavy bass beat that made the floorboards shake.

Then I saw her.

Morgan was standing near a long, scarred wooden table in the center of the room. She was wearing a tiny, glittery dress that barely covered her hips, and her legs were shaking. Her black hair was a mess, and her eyes were so swollen and red from crying that she could barely keep them open. She was holding a tray of drinks, her fingers trembling so hard the glasses were rattling.

“Morgan!” Brianna whispered, her voice breaking.

Morgan’s head snapped up. When she saw us, a fresh sob escaped her throat, and a glass slid off her tray, shattering on the floor.

“We’ll get the money,” I promised, my hands curling into fists. “We already gave you thirty thousand dollars last week. Give us a few more weeks. We’ll work double shifts, we’ll do anything. Just let her come home with us.”

Cole stood up slowly. He walked around the table. He stopped in front of Morgan and ran a thick, dirty finger down her arm. She flinched, her whole body jerking away, and he just grinned wider.

“She’s a pretty little thing,” Cole whispered, loud enough for the whole room to hear. “I did some checking. She’s untouched. You know what that’s worth on the street? I could sell her tonight to the highest bidder and make back half the debt in an hour.”

“You bastard,” Emma choked out behind me.

Cole ignored her. He leaned in close to Morgan, sniffing her hair, “Or maybe,” he said, his voice dropping to a disgusting murmur, “maybe I’ll just keep her for myself for a few nights. Break her in. Let her pay off the debt with her body.”