Redemption (The Restoration Series Book 1) by Christina Simpson

were up, I opened the door and walked out and down the hallway to the entrance.
     “Pleasure doing business with you, sir,”Laruso said.
     I wipedmy hand across my chin.
     “Hmmm. She was a great one. How much would you want for me to keep her?”
     “Keep her?” He raised his eyebrows. “I… I don’t know. We usually don’t sell outside of auction nights.”
     “I don’t really want her shared with anyone else. Like I said earlier, money isn’t an object. You tell me what you want, I will give it to you. She’s mine.”
     “Well, I would be earning a lot for her at the auction so I’d have to up my normal asking price.”
     “Fine,” I agreed.
     “One thousand,” he stated.
     “That’s quite a bit for such a small girl.”
     “It’s the price. Take it now or show up on auction night.”
     “When is the auction? I might need a few other girls.”
     “Tomorrow night.”
     “Fine. Here is the money.” I pulled out a few stacks of bills from my briefcase and handed them over, watching as he counted out the bills to equal one thousand.
     Laruso looked at his guard. “Get the girl.”
     I watched as the gruff man marched down the hallway and slammed openShilah’s door. He emerged a moment later, dragging her by the hair. Her high-pitched cry echoed down the hallway. My heart shattered at the site, but I couldn’t show my emotion. Every ounce of me wanted to pummel the guy for laying his hands on this little girl. He pushed her in my direction.
     “Stop crying,” I ordered, glaring at her. She whimpered and wiped her face.
     I guidedShilah in front of me and pushed her along the steps, opening the door and letting her step out. The simple cotton dress was tattered and did nothing to keep her warm against the chill of the day. Her skin prickled as she wrapped her arms around herself, keeping her chin down and eyes on the ground. I couldn’t offer her warmth or comfort because that would show weakness. We weren’t done playing our parts yet.
     “Do not say anything yet,Shilah. I will take you home, but we just have to pretend for a little longer.” She nodded and I led hertoward the taxi. Perry’s eyes widened as he watched the small girl trail behind me.
     “Do not ask questions you do not want answers to, Perry. Remember our agreement about trust.”
     “Y-Yes, sir,” he stuttered and slid into the front seat. He kept eyingShilah in the rearview mirror as he drove through town, back to the beach house. I think he was shocked to see such a young girl come out of this. My resolution firmed itself; I knew he had to be involved, and that he’d get what was coming to him.
     We arrived at the house and I pulledShilah’s hand into mine, pulling her out of the cab behind me. She didn’t hesitate and stepped outside, moving a few feet away from the curb.
     “Go wait on the porch. Do not run.” She obediently nodded shuffled across the grass. The wind blew against her skin as her eyes dart around, trying to determine if she should run. With resolution, I watched as her steps, although cautious, pushed her forward to the porch.
     “Perry. Will you be available tomorrow night?”
     “Yes, sir,” he answered but kept his eyes trained onShilah.
     “Good. Be here around seven.” I handed him a stack of bills and he glanced down at his hands in momentary shock.
     “Yes, sir,” he said as he steeled his focus and turned away and back into the taxi, driving off. I immediately pulled out my cell and dialed Nicole at the office.
     “Hello?” She answered.
     “Nicole, it’s Davis. I have a girl here. I need you.”
     “Where?” She said calmly but with a tone of seriousness and sadness in her voice. I could hear her springing to action and gathering her keys.
     “At the beach house. Come alone.”
     “Be there in ten minutes.”
     I ended the call and slowly walked towardShilah. She stepped away from me. The porch hit her small shoulders and her fists gripped her