Chapter 3

Eva’s POV

He leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek. “From day one, I planned to use that pretty face of yours to get something for myself.”

“At first, it was the looks—the way other men stared, wondering how a guy like me landed someone like you.”

“And now? You get to help pay off my debt.” Miles smirked, studying me. “Consider it an honor, Eva. It’s not like you were useful for anything else.”

His words hit like another slap across my face.

I remembered when I first met Miles. He wasn’t like the other chasers. He was quiet.

He brought me flowers after my shows, picked me up from school, told me not to give up—no matter how many doors slammed in my face.

I thought Miles was different. That he loved me for who I was—not for what I had, not for a pretty face or a powerful family.

But I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Up until now, I still wanted to believe money had driven Miles crazy. That this wasn’t who he really was.

But the truth is—I never knew the real Miles.

And the real Miles? He was trash from the very beginning.

“Eva, I warned you. Once I brought you out, you don’t get to act up in front of me,” Miles snapped. “Mr. Snake—and whoever his Don is—we can’t afford to mess with them.”

I almost laughed. “So you knew you couldn’t mess with them… and still, you brought me here.”

I didn’t bother saying the part I really wanted to because whatever happened to Miles wasn’t my concern anymore.

I just needed to find my bracelet and get out of here.

“Bitch, what I do—or don’t do—is none of your business. Shut up and put the damn dress on.” Miles shoved me against the wall, hands everywhere, and just as he tried to force himself on me again— a knock cut through the air.

“Our Don’s coming,” someone said from the other side of the door. “If she’s clean, bring her out.”

Miles cursed under his breath and shoved me forward. “You heard him. Move.”

I walked ahead, limping. Miles and the other man trailed behind me like guards.

Snake was still lounging on the sofa. His eyes lit up when he saw me. “Truly a beauty,” he said. “Tell you what—if my Don doesn’t want you, I’ll take you myself.”

He grinned, eyes crawling over me. “In fact… maybe I should get a taste before handing you off. Odds are, he won’t like you anyway. You’ll end up mine.”

He reached for me, fingers grazing my waist. I shoved his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

His smile vanished. The slap came hard and fast.

I hit the carpet, vision spinning.

“Don’t touch you?” Snake crouched beside me, face close, breath sour. “You’ve already been sold, sweetheart. You think you still get choices?”

“You should be lucky your boyfriend sold you to me,” he sneered. “Anyone else, and you’d already be on your back, entertaining guests.”

I pushed myself up, blood in my mouth, and looked him in the eyes.

“Theo Crowe,” I said, steady. “He’s your boss, right?”

Snake stilled.

“I’m his sister. Touch me again, and you’ll be dead before you hit the ground.”

For a second, everything was silent.

Snake barked out a laugh. “My Don’s sister?”

He laughed so hard his cigarette nearly slipped from his fingers. “If you’re his sister, why are you with trash like Miles? And why didn’t you say so the moment we brought you in?”

I didn’t answer.

The reason I hadn’t said anything earlier was simple—Miles hadn’t given me the chance. From the moment we got here, he’d been busy covering my mouth, making sure I couldn’t make a sound.

And I hadn’t thought he’d take things this far. I’d underestimated just how fast everything could turn ugly.

Snake’s laughter cut off. His smile vanished, eyes turning cold. “Do you think I’m an idiot?”

“No.”

The slap came hard. “Then why are you telling me a joke like that?”