"I'll take your children and put them to work!" Mr. Flint declared, his tone dripping with cruel authority. His frown deepened when he noticed the woman before him, June, trembling and on the verge of collapsing at his feet once again.
"They can all work in my brothel. Especially him," he added, pointing at Oliver, a twisted grin forming on his face. "Some rich clients like them young."
Oliver froze, his body stiffening as if he'd been struck by lightning. June's gasp of horror filled the room, and Sarah began to wail uncontrollably, shaking her head as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"No! I refuse! Isn't one of us enough? Take Violet instead—she's pretty!" Sarah sobbed, her words bursting out in a fit of desperation.
Violet's breath caught in her throat, outrage bubbling up as her sister's betrayal landed like a slap across her face. But before she could respond, the others chimed in, their panic overriding any sense of loyalty.
"Y-Yes! Can't you just take one?" June pleaded, her voice cracking under the strain of fear.
"Violet's a hard worker!" Oliver stammered, his face pale as he glanced toward his sister. The mere thought of his asshole being used made bile rise in his throat. "Take her! Take her instead!"
Flint clapped his hands, sealing the decision. "Then it's done!"
"I'd rather die than let you touch me!" Violet spat, her voice trembling with rage. Memories of her father's similar betrayal clawed at her, feeding the fire of disgust that burned in her chest.
She turned her glare toward her family, searching their faces for even a shred of remorse. But they refused to meet her eyes. Her father cowered in the corner, while her siblings clung to their mother.
"Violet!" June tried to reason, her voice fraught with guilt. "You're the eldest, and—"
"Shut up!" Violet screamed, cutting her off. "I'd rather die than become a whore for you to save yourselves!"
Her defiance hung in the air, but it only amused Flint. His grin widened, and he snapped his fingers toward one of his guards.
"Take two fingers from each of them," he ordered coldly. "Start with the father."
The room erupted in chaos. Luke's screams filled the air as the guard moved swiftly, slicing off his pinky with the efficiency of a butcher. Blood dripped onto the ground in waves as a faint metallic stench settled like a shroud.
"No! Please!" June wailed, throwing herself forward as the guard prepared to take another finger. Her cries grew frantic as the sound of bone being crushed echoed in the small room.
"Violet!" June screamed, her voice raw with desperation. "Help me! Help us!"
Her siblings joined in, their pleas a cacophony of terror that only deepened the ache in Violet's chest. Tears blurred her vision as she watched the horror unfold. Troy, the guard, turned his attention toward June, his blade glinting under the dim light.
Violet's heart thundered in her chest as conflicting emotions tore through her. They're my family… Aren't they? Isn't family supposed to protect each other?
But another voice inside her roared louder. They chose to sacrifice you. They'd sell you for their own survival.
For the first time, Violet made a decision for herself. She bolted toward the door, her legs trembling but fueled by desperation. Her fingers gripped the handle, twisting it open, but she only made it a step outside before a sharp pain exploded at the back of her head.
Her vision blurred, and her body crumpled to the floor as darkness swallowed her whole.
Violet stirred awake to the sound of Flint's voice, sharp and commanding.
"Get her up!"
Rough hands pulled her to her feet, though this time with uncharacteristic gentleness. Troy's touch was firm but careful, as if handling fragile cargo. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she squinted against the dull light.
"Where… where am I?" she croaked, backing away instinctively only to collide with Troy, who stood like an unyielding wall behind her.
"You!" she snarled, glaring up at him. "You kidnapped me!"
Flint chuckled, stepping closer. "No, little birdy, you ran straight into my arms."
Violet's stomach churned as he gestured around the shabby room. Its mismatched colors and garish decor only added to her sense of dread.
"Now that you're awake, let's go over the rules," Flint began, his tone oozing smug satisfaction.
Violet's heart raced as he continued, each word like a nail driving deeper into her coffin.
"You'll attend to clients for twelve hours a day. Sleep for eight. The remaining four hours are yours. I'll have entertainment sent to you—books, music, whatever you like. I wouldn't want you dying of boredom."
She stared at him, disbelief and fury battling for control as he continued.
"Food and clothing will be provided. And, of course, regular medical checkups. We can't have you catching anything… or worse getting pregnant." He smirked, as if the mere thought amused him.
"You'll only entertain VIP clients. Consider it a sort of princess treatment."
Violet's blood boiled as he spoke, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather. Her fists clenched, and her breathing grew ragged.
"And as your boss, it's only fair that I get—"
Before he could finish, Violet spat directly into his face.
For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Flint's hand rose slowly to wipe his face, his expression twisting into unrestrained rage.
"You little—"
His fist collided with her face, and Violet stumbled back, stars exploding behind her eyes. She didn't even have time to react before he was on her, his fists raining down like iron hammers.
"Ahhh!" she screamed, the pain searing through her as tears streamed down her face. She tried to shield herself, but her arms felt like lead. The blows kept coming until her body lay limp, trembling from the assault.
Flint stood over her, breathing heavily, a smug grin spreading across his face.
"Troy! Get out!" he barked.
Violet's heart sank as she realized what was coming next when Flint slowly began undoing his belt.