Chapter 2 The Price of Trust

I stopped keeping tabs on Susie after that.

Unfortunately, she wasn't quite done with me.

"Cruz, do you know any jobs that pay really well? Something where I can make money fast?"

I didn't even look up from my phone as I drawled, "What? Is the money I gave you not enough to cover your tuition fees?"

Susie shook her head, biting her lower lip. "Please, Cruz. Just help me one more time. I promise I'll make it up to you someday."

I finally put down my phone and looked at her. "How far are you willing to go?"

Her expression changed immediately as she understood what I meant.

"I'm not doing anything like that," she said firmly.

I let out a cold laugh and tossed three photographs onto the desk. "Private parties, yacht entertainment, or working as a personal hostess. Take your pick."

Susie barely hesitated before choosing the yacht job.

I made a few calls and found her a client that very afternoon. I talked her up as if she were the greatest thing ever to walk into Averon. Meanwhile, she stood quietly beside me, her eyes stubbornly fixed on her shoes.

Eventually, I booked her a job that paid more than most people made in a month.

I was just about to leave when she suddenly grabbed my hand. "Cruz..."

I turned around to find her looking up at me, her eyes already filled with tears. "Could you stay with me? Please? Just this once?"

For some strange reason, I actually agreed.

I couldn't explain it even after all this time. Maybe it was because her eyes reminded me so much of my little sister's. Sometimes, the resemblance between the two was so strong that I couldn't help worrying that Susie might suffer the same terrible fate.

That was likely why I accompanied her when the yacht set sail.

Our client, John Bennett, wasn't exactly thrilled about a tag-along. I had to damn near go down on my knees before he finally agreed to let me stay. Even then, he had one condition: Susie had to wear a bunny costume to the party.

I was waiting outside the changing room when she called out to me.

"Cruz? Could you come in for a second?"

I sighed and pushed the door open. "What is it?"

She stood in front of the mirror, struggling to zip up the back of her costume. It was a skimpy little outfit, complete with black stockings and bunny ears. She kept tugging at the fabric, looking so uncomfortable that I almost felt sorry for her.

Unlike the other women on the yacht, who knew exactly what they'd signed up for, she still looked like an innocent college girl who'd accidentally wandered into the wrong party.

I couldn't help staring at her, and something about her made me lose my head for a moment.

Before I knew it, I'd stepped closer and pinned her against the wall.

Susie froze, her eyes widening in fear. That look she gave me was enough to snap me right back to my senses.

'Damn it. What the hell was I doing?'

So, I quickly reached behind her, zipped up her costume, and stepped away as if nothing had happened.

"There. All done." I turned toward the door. "Come on. Let's not keep Mr. Bennett waiting."

She gave me a shy smile. "Thanks, Cruz."

I watched her disappear down the hallway before slapping myself across the cheek. 'What the hell was I thinking? Get a grip, man.'

When that didn't help, I went out onto the deck and jumped straight into the ocean.

I figured a dip in the cold water would knock some sense into me.

And for a while, it seemed to work.

Alas, that didn't last for very long, as I overheard two crew members gossiping about someone who'd just arrived as soon as I climbed back aboard.

It was the boss' son.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

His name was Damien Vale, and just hearing his name made me tense.

As my boss' only son, Damien was an arrogant, vicious bastard who treated people like they were nothing. His father practically ruled Averon's underworld, and Damien seemed to think that gave him the right to do whatever he pleased.

The worst part was that he usually got away with it. Heck, even I knew better than to cross him.

Just then, a terrible thought struck me.

'Fuck! Susie is still on this boat!'

My stomach dropped, and I took off running.

The place was a complete wreck by the time I rushed to the private lounge. Broken bottles littered the floor, a table lay overturned, and expensive liquor had soaked into the carpet.

And there, in the middle of it all, was Susie.

She was sitting on the floor, trembling. Her clothes were torn, bruises covered her arms, and blood from a deep cut on her leg had stained the fabric around it. One look at her was enough to tell me she'd been badly hurt.

She slowly lifted her head when she heard me enter.

"Cruz..."

Susie's voice was barely a whisper, and something tightened in my chest.

"Well, look who finally decided to show up."

I turned toward the voice and found Damien lounging on the couch, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He looked perfectly relaxed, as though nothing had happened.

"Cruz, you sly bastard." He glanced at Susie and laughed. "You find a girl like this and keep her all to yourself? That's not very generous of you."

Usually, I'd be able to handle him. I'd known him long enough to know exactly how to handle him. A little flattery, a few apologies, and Damien would be as happy as a clam. That was what one had to do just to survive around someone like him.

However, I couldn't get the words out this time around, not with Susie looking at me like that.

She still trusted me even after everything she'd been through. She really believed I'd save her.

Damien must've noticed something was wrong because his smile slowly faded. "What's the matter, Cruz? Cat got your tongue?"

Before I could answer, he grabbed me by the hair and slammed my head against the floor. Pain shot through my skull, but I barely had time to react before he did it again.

"Someone's getting a little too comfortable around here, huh?"

I gritted my teeth and tried not to make a sound.

Then, Susie suddenly rushed forward and threw her arms around me. "Stop! Please, don't hurt him! Please!"

She was sobbing so hard she could barely get the words out.

He stared at us for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Oh, this is priceless." He grabbed me by my hair again and yanked me up to face him. "Don't tell me you've suddenly grown a conscience."

Damien's smile faded, and his voice turned cold. "Remember who pays your bills, Cruz. Remember who gave you everything you have right now."

I kept my mouth shut, knowing that anything I said would only make things worse.

He leaned closer, a nasty grin spreading across his face. "And your sister... Have you forgotten? You're the one who brought her to me."

Susie went completely still upon hearing those words.

She slowly turned toward me, and I watched the shock on her face turn to disbelief before settling on disgust. She was looking at me like she didn't know me anymore.

Maybe she'd genuinely thought I was a decent guy deep down. Maybe she'd truly believed that I still had some good in me despite all the shady things I'd done.

Well, now she knew better.

I could almost hear her wondering what kind of man would betray his own sister—and the worst part was, I had no answer.

She was right about me.

I was a bastard, a selfish coward who'd done terrible things just to survive. There was no point pretending otherwise.

So, I shoved her away and dropped to my knees in front of Damien, forcing a smile. "Of course not, Mr. Vale. You've got it all wrong. I knew she'd be exactly your type. That's why I arranged for her to be here."

Damien raised an eyebrow.

I kept smiling, pretending I didn't notice the look on Susie's face. "She's new to all this. She doesn't really know how things work yet."

Then, I lowered my head, making myself look as obedient as possible. "But don't worry, sir. I'll make sure she understands the rules."