1

prologue

lazarus

I stood at the back of an alleyway on the other side of town, in a deserted area, where nobody would be able to see me.

I was in the middle of a business transaction, with a very rich, wealthy, and filthy motherfucker, who was going to make me a lot of money.

His name was Vladimir Potter.

I had a little girl with me, with short, black hair tied up in pigtails, and I’d got her to wear a pretty little dress, ready to meet the fucking customer.

“She’s fresh meat, old man,” I shrugged. “Twelve years old, straight from Russia.”

The man narrowed his eyes, eyeing up the little girl up and down with a predatory regard, a smile forming on the corners of his mouth, as she continued to sob underneath his gaze.

“She is very beautiful. What’s her name?” he rasped, his fingers tracing her collarbone.

“Lily,” I stated matter-of-factly.

The man took out his briefcase, quickly checking over the notes he had in there.

“I’ll buy her for eight million,” he offered. “And please tell the bitch to stop crying.”

He rolled his eyes.

“Bring that up to ten million, and we have a deal,” I grinned, letting my hand out for him to shake.

He nodded in agreement, and shook my hand.

I’d sold ten children today.

I knew that my partner in the mafia, Damon, had told me he was against human trafficking, but I didn’t give a fuck.

I was a heartless prick. I’d do anything for money.

And right now…

Money was all I cared about.

I needed lots of it, in order to take over Damon’s position in the business.

Damon was just a means to an end.

As soon as I’d learnt all the strategies off him and explained them to the Juarez cartel, we were going to take Damon out.

And his whore Raven, too.

“I guess we have a deal,” the creep smirked.

“She’s yours,” I winked. “Have fun.”

And then I turned on my heel, and made my way out of the alleyway.

Ready to set up a meeting with Damon’s connect behind his back.

***

1

lily

I sprung awake from my sleep, panting profusely, and I let out a blood-curdling scream, my entire body convulsing and sweating with nerves.

“Not another nightmare!” I hounded, clutching my body in terror.

***

I clutched my mama’s body, pumping her chest desperately, doing my best to stop the bleeding as I screamed and wept, my tears pit-pattering onto her body in tiny little droplets.

She continued to bleed out from the gunshot wound. She continued to weaken underneath my grasp.

“No Mama, please stay strong!” I wept. “I can't live without you!”

She continued to struggle, spluttering out blood, as she struggled to keep herself upright.

“My time has come to an end, my baby.”

Her voice was so low, numb, empty, hollow and defeated.

Barely above a whisper.

And I could feel my lungs constrict in terror, as she said these words.

I couldn’t live without my mama…

My beautiful mama…

She couldn’t do this to me.

“Take care of yourself,” she whispered.

“No Mama!” I screamed, bawling. “You're going to be just fine, I know you are! You can't leave me!”

I trailed off my sentence, my voice cracking.

“You need to fight it, isn't that what you're always telling me?”

Mama shook her head no.

She was already admitting defeat.

“I love you Lily,” she murmured.

And those were the last words she said, before her head lulled backwards, and she stopped breathing.

Her eyes squeezing shut tight, as I felt my lungs constrict in terror.

Watching the horror play out in front of my eyes.

My own mother dying in front of me, in my arms, when I was just a child myself.

***

“I can offer you work, and safe passage,” said Lazarus. “You won't have to suffer in these poor camp conditions anymore. I'll take care of you, Lily.”

***

“You know...” Vladimir murmured, cocking his head to the side, the corners of his mouth curling upwards into a smirk. “You're my favourite girl that I've had the pleasure of buying. My Lily. My beautiful little Lily.”

***

“Pathetic little bitch!” Rupert screamed.

***

“What have I told you about trying to run away?!” Vladimir roared, balling his hands into fists, before swinging at my jaw. “Now you will be punished!”

***

“Stupid bitch, you'll never escape!” Lazarus roared. “There's no way out of this!”

***

“No matter where you try to run, or where you try to hide...” Vladimir murmured, rubbing his chin. “I'll always find you, Lily. My beautiful Lily.”

***

“There's no way out,” Lazarus gritted through clenched teeth.

***

“No way out,” Rupert gritted through clenched teeth.

***

“No. Way. OUTTTTT!!!” Vladimir screamed bloody murder.

***