Chapter 6

My eyes remained on the man in front of me also waiting for an answer.

Who was he?

His hand that caressed my hair didn't leave my hair but I was too stunned to take his hands off. Even with the question the old man asked him, he was still composed, not bothering to respond in a hurry.

He has the aura of a king, his calm eyes looking deep into my soul. How did he hear me call? I was about to ask when Aunty Claire yelled from the side,

"Get out of my house, you wild beast!"

I turned my head to look at Aunty Claire and that was when I remembered that he had thrown Uncle Jimmy across the room and the man was now unconscious.

Melissa and Melinda were weeping badly. I could hear their wails, he didn't look sorry and I recalled what the old man said earlier. He had taken out two of his men last night.

This made me step back from him, this man before me was dangerous, there was no need to ask. He killed, he pulled someone's arm right in front of me and didn't flinch. He threw Uncle Jimmy across the room.

I heard a small growl escape his lips and I turned to look at him with narrowed eyes. Now, he looked upset. I don't know if it was at me or at Aunty Claire for calling him a wild beast.

"Come with me," he said calmly, his expression suddenly switching and I wondered how he was able to do that.

"To wh—"

"Never!" The old moron yelled at the top of his lungs making me shake my head. This man doesn't know when to stop. Can't he see what had just happened right before his eyes? His men were dealt with in his presence yet he wants to oppose this man

"I wasn't talking to you, old man," the man replied without turning around to meet the old man's eyes.

Now, I don't even know who I am to go with if I am asked. I would rather stay in a house where I know how they beat someone, at least they don't pull the arm of a full-grown human being.

"Come with me, Maria J," her eyes widened.

"You… you… you know my name?" I asked in a stammer with wide eyes.

How did the both of them know? Oh no…

This is a secret I intend to keep from everyone mainly because of my sister. I don't want her to know that I danced for naughty men for money. It's not that it's a bad job to do but for a little girl like that, yes, it wasn't something she should know.

"She is coming with me! I bought her!" The old man growled in anger.

"And I own her," the man turned from me to face the old man with a smirk. I blinked once and twice. What is wrong with both of them?

How can they speak about me like I was some property? One bought me and the other owns me?

How dare they?

"Listen, both of you, I don't care what your name is. None of you own me. I am a person, not a property. I cannot be bought and you don't own me!" I yelled, my fist clenched, my eyes shooting lasers at the two men.

The man turned around to look at me from the old man and I gulped. His gaze could make one trip and fall. I bit my inner cheek, not wanting to be the first to step back, I met his eyes.

I swear I saw the color of his eyes switch. Oh boy! He was angry

"Yes, exactly," he spoke to me before he added, "She isn't a property so you can't buy her. Now, get out before I pull both your hands off"

I could tell that those words weren't for me so I flick my eyes to see the old man's grumpy face. He said to Aunty Claire as he made his way to the table.

"I'll take this back!"

He stormed out of the house after picking up the money. My eyes followed him until he was completely out of the house. I felt the man's hand on my hair again pulling me out of my thoughts.

I took two steps back as I looked at the man, and then I asked,

"Who… who are you?"

"Lance Knox," he replied. His eyes looked at mine like he didn't want to miss any movement of my eyeballs.

"What do you want from me?" I asked again and he shrugged, "You called, I came" he replied and I sighed, shaking my head. I know I called you, but who are you? How come you could hear me when I called? Questions filled my mind as I thought of one thing.

I was about to speak when I saw Anna rush to hug me tightly. Her hands wrapped around my waist.

"Anna," I called. Since when has she been here? I had asked her to stay inside, didn't I?

Feeling her warmth in my body, I wrapped my arms around her protectively too. What would have happened to Anna if they had forcefully taken me away from her?

How would she have been able to cope without me? And alone with this family?

"Come with me," The man named Lance said again and I glared at him.

"Listen, mister, just because you helped me, doesn't mean you'll decide how I would live my life. I am not going anywhere with you. I don't know you and I don't think I'd want to know someone like you!"

He paused as he watched me with eyes I couldn't predict..he was looking at me but there was no anger in those eyes. Instead, he was watching me as if he was studying me. Who was he?

"You have to leave, mister. I don't know who asked you to come but thank you so much. I am grateful but you have to leave now"

I expected him to just calmly leave not until I heard him yell,

"Becker!"

Oh God, I'm dead.