Page 63 of Close Your Eyes

“Yes, you keep mentioning the virgin to take for payment, but she won’t come close to paying off the amount you owe us. It’s time the world knows you for what you truly are, Bane, a broke criminal.”

I tiptoe closer, trying my best to hear better. Bane plans on selling me to someone?

“Making witnesses disappear costs money,” Bane says, and I can tell by the way he’s speaking that he’s moving around the room. “Just wait until Posey and I say our I-dos, so once you take her I can make money from the insurance I have on her. You’ll be paid back in full. Plus, I’ve framed the Russians to take the fall for it all.”

The other man laughs. “That was good, I must say, but I’m getting tired of waiting.”

Another long pause, and I wish I could hear everything. I nearly trip on the long lace of my wedding dress, but I keep it together as I remove my white high-heels from my feet so I don’t click against the tiled floors.

“A few hours. And then you can take her father too.”

“What do I want with him?” the other man sneers.

“Who cares,” Bane says with a sinister laugh and I nearly lose my breakfast. My insides coil as I stand here, listening right outside his door.

“Fine. You marry the girl, but she better be a virgin when you deliver her to me.”

“She will be,” Bane says, and I grow sick hearing what he has in store for me.

I peek closer, trying my best to see who he’s talking to. I duck into a side closet as they both finish their meeting and head out of the office.

And that’s when I see him.

Mayor Thornberg.

I hold my breath as the two of them make their way outside. I rush in the opposite direction, slipping into the servant’s entrance Father Carmichael mentioned. Nobody’s around, and I thank my lucky stars.

I sneak a peek out the window, at the servant’s entrance, looking for the taxi Father Carmichael said would be waiting for me.

It’s there, and I breathe in a sigh of relief, letting it out slowly. I head outside, ducking behind a few bushes lining the walkway, and slip into the backseat of the taxi.

“Downtown,” I say, knowing there’s only one place I want to be.

Ledger’s.

I need to get rid of my virginity.

And fast.

Chapter 21

Ledger

I stare at the clock, knowing right now Posey’s probably walking down the aisle toward Bane. I feel sick. I couldn’t bring myself to go to the wedding for fear of knowing I’d speak out whenever the priest asked if anyone had anything to say, speak now or forever hold their peace.

Yeah, I’d be screaming at the top of my lungs, professing my love for Posey.

It is love.

It has to be.

I’ve never in my life felt a burning so deep for somebody. She consumes my every thought. My every desire.

I can’t be with her, but I can get drunk, so that’s exactly what I decide to do. I grab a bottle of Eagle Rare from my bar, and pour a heavy amount into my glass.

I knock it back, hoping it erases the memory of Posey on my lips.

It doesn’t.