Chapter 5

• Astrid
• “What are you talking about?” I stammer, my heart racing. The look on his face says it all. The man is up to no good.
• “You’re coming with me, Astrid,” he informs me, practically pushing me back into the house, and he locks the door behind him after he gets in.
• “Coming with you where?” I ask in a shaky voice.
• “Look, cooperate, and let’s get this done. I have till noon tomorrow to bring the collateral,” he says again, and my breath hitches. What collateral is he talking about?
• “What collateral, Axel?” Casey asks with a surprised look on her face as well. “We’re not giving up the house!” She suddenly spits.
• “No, not the house. They want human collateral, and I told them I have two daughters, so they asked me to bring one,” he explains in a clipped-off tone, and I stop breathing at that moment, realization dawning on me about what my father means. I am the collateral.
• “And what did you tell them? What are you going to do?” Casey asks, and her eyes land on me.
• “Are you taking her right?” She points at me.
• “Yes, Astrid is going to be my collateral,” Dad announces, and I begin to hear a high-pitched sound in my ears. My father is going to give me away.
• “Good, because there’s no way I’m going to allow you to take Harper,” Casey states with a look of relief on her face.
• “But you’ll allow him to take me?” I manage to find my voice, asking. My eyes brim with tears threatening to fall any moment later.
• “You’re not my daughter!” She yells, and the first tear slips from my eye.
• “Dad–” I sob, turning to face my father.
• “Get ready, Astrid. Or I’ll drag you there myself,” he says, and no hint of emotion crosses his face. He’s already made his decision.
• “But, Dad, you know how the Mafia is; they use women as sex slaves. You can’t just hand me over to them. You can’t,” I mutter, shaking my head in denial. He’s handing me over to monsters. My father is handing me over to monsters. My. Fucking. Father.
• “I don’t have any choice, dear. They’ll kill me if I don’t bring anyone.”
• “And you don’t think I’ll die when I go to them? I’ll become a sex slave; I’ll be passed around among the men, and when I’m worthless, they’ll kill me,” I cry, my voice trembling. I still can’t believe it and wish it was all a dream.
• “At least we get to pay off our debt,” He shrugs, and I freeze, staring at him in disbelief. He doesn’t care at all. That man doesn’t care.
• “Do you even love me?” I scoff, tasting the salty taste of my tears.
• “I love you, Astrid. You’re my daughter.”
• “And it doesn’t bother you that thousands of men are going to rape me!” I yell at the top of my voice, causing Casey to cover her ears before she says,
• “You’re shouting. My ears hurt.”
• “I’m not coming with you,” I announce, wiping off my tears.
• “Astrid–” Axel begins.
• He’s no longer my father. He’s lost the right to be called that.
• “Don’t fucking call my name, Axel. Get out of the fucking door; I’m leaving this house!” I announce, and the next thing I feel is a hot slap on my face.
• “How dare you?” Axel growls. “I’m trying to be lenient here, and you’re acting stubborn. If you don’t come willingly, I’ll tie you up.”
• He threatens, his voice cold and angry.
• “Just get out of my way, Axel.” I cry, feeling the coppery taste of blood on the side of my lips. That’s how hard he slapped me.
• “The effrontery. She’s calling you by your name. This girl has lost her respect!” Casey snickers, but I completely ignore her and attempt to push Axel aside.
• My efforts are futile as he abruptly pushes me back. I miss my step and fall on the ground, the side of my head hitting the base of the chair. I wince as pain shoots all over my body. A new wave of tears starts streaming down my eyes as I feel pain all over. I bring my hand over to the spot that hit the base of the chair, and when I bring my hand back to look at it, I discover that I'm bleeding.
• I feel a sudden tug on my leg, and my eyes widen at my father trying to tie me up. Before I can react, Casey has already held me down. I scream, I thrash, and plead, but it all falls on deaf ears. After successfully tying my legs, Dad ties my hands backward and places tape on my mouth to muffle my screams.
• "Will you be free tonight?" Casey asks as Dad heaves me onto his shoulders. I squirm under his hold, but he holds me tight.
• "They'll let me go once I deliver her," he replies before walking out of the house.
• I struggle and cry all through the journey to wherever my dad is taking me. I don't know how long it takes until he finally arrives at the house. I can't see much. He carries me out of the car. Some scruffy-looking men approach, and they're just as big as the ones back at the club that night. They ignore my screaming and place a plastic bag over my head.
• I'm carried again to God knows where. One of the men carrying me suddenly drops me, making me sit on the ground.
• "Is this your collateral?" a deep, almost familiar voice asks.
• "Yes," Dad replies.
• "Name?"
• "Astrid Russell," Dad replies, and my heart begins to race as my chest heaves. The voice sounds so familiar. No, it can't be.