Chapter 2
STEPH's POV
I stretched my arms above my head, several of my bones clicking and popping as I twisted and grunted. Ugh, It was definitely time for a new bed. Mine was slowly killing me, I was sure of it.
“Jack, you have several deliveries.” I say, going through my notepad, looking at the orders. “all of them on Westside. Clear cut.”
That meant that all the money he cashed was ours.
We were cheap, because we didn’t pay many people.
I was a spy. I worked in one of the high-end clubs on a weekend, serving the big bosses. I knew when and where they did business. They were easier to avoid that way.
It was our foster father that started this business, and he was the only one truly reaping the benefits. We didn’t get much, enough to live off. Enough to stay quiet.
Not that I had a choice.
He had my sister still living with him. Until the court decided I was ready. I couldn’t break the rules, not once.
I knew exactly what he was capable of, she didn’t. She was innocent.
8 years old. Blonde. Blue eyed. Just like mom.
“Is it visiting day?” Jack asked as he copied the address and quantities into his phone. “Be careful Steph, he’s back on the sniff.”
He never once looked at me. We both knew what that meant.
I sigh, “He complains we don’t earn enough, but insists on “testing” a lot of product.” I shake my head, unable to mask my anger. “I swear if one hair on her head is harmed I...”
Jack stops, looking directly at me, “We both know he won’t. She’s leverage.”
I calm slightly, “You’re right ... But I hate leaving her there. The others aren’t as lucky as her.”
My adopted brother shudders in disgust. “His thugs know the older girls too well.”
I nod, knowing all too well how they “knew” the older girls.
It how he paid them when money was slow.
It’s why I had to get my sister out.
I did once and we had almost made it on the plane, but almost wasn’t good enough. I needed a new plan. Maybe if I made him enough money, he would let her go. He would let them all go.
“Maybe if we told the city officials...” Jack muttered, mostly to himself as threw his battered old jacket on.
“You know as well as I do, they don’t give a shit. If they don’t see it. They don’t care.”
“I’m almost certain they know.”
“That doesn’t change a thing. They don’t fucking care Jack, we have to get her out ourselves.” I punch the wall, my voice rising. “I won’t let him do IT to her!”
Jack takes my arms, rubbing them softly, his voice full of concern. “Control it Steph, shush now. We will get her. I promise.”
“pinkie promise?” I say, holding out my pinkie finger.
“Always sis.” He laughs, tugging my finger with his own.
“You better get going. The scumbags won’t wait.”
“I know. Be safe.”
“Be safe.” I call as he leaves, propping myself up on the kitchen side.
Please be safe jack. I need you to be safe.
It didn’t take long for me to clean the apartment because there wasn’t a lot there to clean, some dirty clothes and dishes were basically it. We had a sofa, and a small tv. Our bedrooms had beds and drawers, we had a washing machine, cooker and small fridge.
But that was it.
No niceties.
Nothing extraordinary.
No pictures out of better days, because we never knew anything better.
Back at the home… Well, it was worse than this. Before The monster who ran the children’s home (David) made this small business of selling drugs to anyone who would take them, he squandered all the money from the city on himself.
Us kids never really saw a penny, not outside of the odd pair of clothes or food.
He was good at that, giving us full belly’s so we’d forget how he treated us.
I shuddered at the thought, I couldn’t let my sister go through what I did, I had to help her get out.
But I also had to be careful, syphoning money was one thing, but David was stealing from the Mafia boss, the only name we knew for him was Alexi, and he would skin us alive if he ever found us out.
Which I am pretty sure he would.
Jack had almost been caught a few times during a setup, as had I.
I just hoped we could hold out long enough to get out, with my little sister. I couldn’t leave her behind.
I wouldn’t.
I would gladly sacrifice myself for her safety, I was tainted and used, she was as innocent as a flower.