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Ninety-nine percent of them have been trafficked Yet another reason I’ve wanted out of this world for so long Everything is tainted in blood and deceit

“Baby, why did you never come to me? Why did you never tell me how unhappy—”

“As if you would’ve listened I had been slated to ht up in a household where no love or affection was shown between you and Mother, purely a business transaction that miraculously turned into a friendship, whichelse in my life, so please, tell me honestly what you would’ve done if I ca relationship with iving him a chance to answer “He never physically abused me; there were never visible marks on my body for proof of my unhappiness You would’ve told es are supposed to be like Even though I know it’s a lie I’ve read enough books, seen enough movies, to know our way of life is not how it’s supposed to be like”

His shoulders slump in defeat, and I know he hears the truth in my words “I would’ve at least threatened him within an inch of his life to put forth the effort to make you happy, to be better to you While there may not have been love and affection, there could’ve at least been a friendship Your mother and I at least have that”

That is true My parents never showed PDA or any kind of verbal endearments, but they were kind to each other They shared inside jokes and often spoke about the good ole days andeven close to that I was just a hole to stick his dick in once a month

“But I will adain, “I’ve never seen such life in your eyes, irl You look… healthier You’re still too thin, in my opinion—which I’ve told you for years now—but your cheeks… they’re no longer hollow, and there’s color in theer Your eyes are alight, when before it’s like a bulb inside them was turned off And you’re so… relaxed You’ve always been so tightly wound, but suddenly you seenore that all of these improvements must have come from this man beside you”

He clears his throat, standing up fro his hand out to DeLuca “I never want to see the light go out in ain When this is all over, you have my approval, if you are who she wants,” he tells hi it one solid shake before my dad turns to me “And I want you to promise me that if he ever makes you unhappy, you will cohts out”

I s “I pro a wink and a s to keep that in rins and shakes his head

Dad steps back and addresses both of us “Now, let’s finalize these plans to put this fucker down”

18

Deluca

I look at, tighten, and straighten the silk bow tie of my suit in the mirror I’ to go to all day I dread it because itmy piccolina alone, at least without ht But on the opposite end of this trepidation is relief, knowing I will soon murder the man who hired me to kill the beautiful siren laid out, asleep, and naked in the covers I left her in

Naked She is completely naked, and only the sheet is draped over her

Her father’s comments come back to me then He said she has more color in her cheeks; she looks happier, healthier, and there is life inside her gorgeous orbs I’limpse of the future we both desire to have one day Kids Us I plan to make that dream a reality Yes, it’s because I want that with her, buther fate totime

“Please tell me you’ll coy voice coue I see her on her knees at the edge of the bed, naked and breathtaking formy bow tie one last time, I turn and face her She eyesthe masculine picture I make I won’t complain