THE BROKEN WOLVES

e’s

YEAR

hte

umber, but it’s

ast t

e and white striped dress, a uniform so clean I’ve never been able to w

ing customers looking like I went for a dive in my clothes. But today is different. Sp

rl it away, aiming for a small puddle a few feet away. It nearly makes it but falls short. Again.Poor

rthday present I’ve wanted since Mom closed her eyes when I was s

ee

that I’m happy to take full advantage of. When he’s out of cigarettes, it’s less of a perk and more of a keep your head down and

s hole-in-the-wall diner, who has never thought to ask if I’m old enough befo

the bruises on my arms and face because the makeup never lasts an entire shift. When I noticed a w

d up, I squeeze my eyes tightly shut, so it slides down my face like tears. It’s just

me to get the rest of the money I’ve been tucking awa

ust-turned-eighteen-year-old with no references, so

ere the fu

t the half-garbled

t.

ired blond guy, Geoff, my boss, on the other side of the counter shoving a dark-haired, bl

as he stumbles back, nearly goi

in a gym, the belly that touches the cash register even when he’s standing two steps

d about who owes whom money. I

ding spot was ju

runk to look further th

waiting for me once I return from taking him home. Not after the las

now I’m eighteen and an adult in the eyes

, unlike some of my past bosses, who acted like they’d never

ustomers I feel staring, I close my hand

nocks me o

unch to the gut before I bounce off it. Someone gasps. Not m

flying as ketchup from someone’s plate of

y belly as a dull throbbing heat b

m a million miles away. I feel numb as I lay on the cold floor staring at the speckl

ave to hold it together f

without a smack in the face in

yourself late

ings open and a pair of pristine black leather shoes

ar often, especially in this shitty part of the city, st

t my

ed he even sees plain, Saige Leo with the drunk for a dad, long dark hair that doesn’t know whether

blue eyes that shine like the facet of a gem. Flawless. A catlike smile of satisfaction

and it feels like an animal is staring back at me, but

st been se

oward me, I fo

s happening in another room and not right behind me. But it doesn’t seem importa

neck. Probably getting ready to hit me again. I brace myse

ell-dressed stranger's voice is a w

th his powerful shoulders and the fierce burn in his eyes, only an idiot would think

ay faster than I bel

Silver glints at his wrist, drawing my gaze for a second. The name stamped on the watch's

s when I don’t move to take

t he's talking about,

low. He seems happy to ignore the silent diners and the fact I have k

, or a fairytal

pain subsides enough that I can speak, wis

." His gaze darts over my shoulder to where Dad must be and his exp

this beautiful man who says I'm his, de

could b

y sign he’s a predator an

’t se

mile curves his full lower lip. “There’s a

more than two coins to rub together goes for

ow while we wait out the rain. I didn

his expensive

you even d

ome." The next time he offers me his hand, I take

mmy for that. So he shouldn’t find it that ea

ing of expensive leather and safety

ing like he’s moving towar

er. Keep talking and I’ll put my hands on you.” His

Dad shrink back, terro

st Dad. When was the las

e. It’s nev

the door handle and swings it open, revealing the rain hasn’t slo

at him. “Sai

ul name. I’m Rylan. How do you feel about me

But he’s still a stranger, so I try to soun

t a coffee. A

ut w

he ketchup drying on my chin when h

ate before. Maybe we

t and drapes it around my shoulders before he le

r look

on