Page 21 of Sold to the Enemy

She also loved that even without saying a word, sometimes just giving him a look, he seemed to know exactly what she was thinking or feeling, and that made her feel so many different things.

“My dad had a lot of staff. Most of them … they had some kind of brand.”

Drago nodded. “Your father would grade the people he purchased. If they were beautiful men and women, they were sent to his brothels. Those he didn’t think would get much money worked the streets with the pimps he assigned to them. And those with no value worked for him.”

Selma felt sick to her stomach. Tears filled her eyes. “What happened to them?”

“The brothels are gone. I’ve dealt with the pimps. The people working for your father … I have worked with the cops to find out where they’re from, and either return them, or get them some help.”

“You work with the cops?” Selma asked.

“I have a working relationship with a couple of them. Sometimes, I’m the lesser of a few evils.”

“Wow,” she said.

“I live to surprise you, baby.”

“So, they’re safe?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you. I-I tried, but my dad never listened.”

“I listen,” Drago said. “Selma, I will answer any questions you have for me, but all I ask is that you be prepared for the answers. There are some things you’re going to fucking hate, and other things that will break your heart. Got it?”

“Yeah, I got it.”

She took a deep breath. “You said that my dad kept my presence … hidden.”

“Selma, you’re not going to like the answer to this.”

The car came to a stop. They had been talking for a long time now, and she had a feeling her father had truly taken care of the people who’d looked after her in the way he always had—death.

She had thought about it a few times, and that was the only conclusion she had come to. There was nothing else her father would have done or could have done to keep her presence hidden. She even thought that maybe her father had instilled fear into people, but there was only so much men and women would take before telling the truth. Her father must have killed them.

Drago pulled her against him and held her tightly.

“I’ve got you, baby. I’m not going to let you go.”

She didn’t want him to let her go, not ever. Selma had tried so hard to keep the tears at bay, but nothing could stop them as they fell from her eyes, dropping down her cheeks.

“Don’t, baby, please, fucking don’t.”

“That’s a lot of people, Drago.”

“I know.”

“How could he have done that?”

“Because he was a fucking coward.” Drago cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at him.

“That’s my fault.”

“No, it’s not your fault.”

“But if I hadn’t been alive, my father—”

“Your fucking father would have found some way to hurt other people, baby. Trust me, this is not on you, and I will kill him if you blame yourself.”