Chapter 6

My legs nearly gave out.

My ears roared, but Nolan's voice cut through.

"What, You thought finding your mom would make you rich? Make you one of us? I found her ages ago."

He paused, his voice cruel. "She's been dead for years. Too broke to stay alive.

"She died not long after dumping you at the orphanage. Her illness was treatable. She just couldn't afford it.

"Even if she were alive, she'd still be broke. Come overseas as my live-in assistant. I'd pay you every month. Probably more than you'd make on your own..."

I couldn't take another word. Shaking, I screamed and hung up.

Everything was silent.

The old gravestones looked cold and creepy.

They'd scared me since I was little.

Nolan had even had streetlights installed along my alley so I wouldn't have to walk home in the dark.

Now darkness was all I could see...

Shaking, I hurried toward the main road.

But the farther I went, the more deserted it got.

My shoes rubbed my feet bloody. I kept going.

If I stopped, I might never get out...

After walking all night, I finally spotted a passing tractor.

"You've got guts, kid, coming all the way out to this graveyard."

My face went whiter. "This is a graveyard?"

"Yep. Some guy asked yesterday about scary spots outside town. This place came right to mind!"

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. "Who was it?" I forced out.

"No clue. Fancy car, Bayport plates. Looked loaded."

I laughed bitterly.

So much for a random address. Nolan had planned this.

He'd sent me to a graveyard knowing how scared I'd be.

'Does he hate me that much?'

Exhausted, I shut my eyes.

After a long day, I finally got home.

I cleaned my wounds and was about to crash when my phone pinged.

Nolan had sent me $3,000.

[Salary.]

I laughed bitterly and texted back.

[If you're throwing money at me, label it "Gift—no repayment expected."]

[I'm not going with you to look after you, so I shouldn't take the money.]

He called right away.