Chapter 96


    Bruce was no stranger to thew. Breaking it was his favorite hobby. I could still recall the moment


    he walked through the door of my father’s home, a permanent smirk etched onto his face along with


    that practiced swagger. From the moment he locked eyes with me, I knew he’d found his next


    punching bag.


    I tried to keep my distance from him, during High School, but I was well aware of the shady


    activities he was involved in behind closed doors. Teens and adults alike. would show up at our


    door for all sorts of


    things, most of which were illegally produced by his own hands. With my dad constantly out and my


    stepmother purposefully carefree, Bruce could bring over a serial killer and they’d be none the


    wiser.


    Seven Years Ago


    I’de home earlier from school that day. Debate team was cancelled for the evening, so I had


    the


    luxury of trekking home while there was still a hint of daylight. I was less fortunate to find Bruce’s


    truck parked in the driveway.


    I paused at the door, my hand wrapped around the doorknob, as I debated going in. I didn’t have


    anywhere – or anyone


    or anyone – else to run to, but dealing with Bruce seemed like a bigger hassle than just sitting on


    the swings at the elementary school’s yground until sundown.


    With a sigh, I tried the door and found that it was unlocked. I pushed through, trying to keep my


    steps quiet as I shut the door behind me and took off my shoes. Bruce’s voice travelled down the


    hall, though he sounded preupied.


    “Well, tell that asshole if he doesn’t give me my fair share by the end of the week, I’ll skin him alive,”


    he growled, and I heard winced when I heard ss shatter against the wall. “No, you will tell him!”


    It wasn’t out of the ordinary to hear Bruce spout off violent threats, but I had yet to see him act on


    any of them. He wasn’t exactly strong in build, and his skin had the pallor of someone who barely


    touched the skin. Of course, I’d already learned not to underestimate his ability to manipte


    others.


    I slipped my backpack off my shoulders and walked into the kitchen. I grabbed


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    one of the only decent looking apples out of the basket on the counter and took a small bite out of it,


    testing the taste. It had taken on the softened texture of a fruit far past its due date.


    Scrunching my nose, I threw out the rest of them and turned to the grocery list on the refrigerator


    door.


    The list was getting bigger and bigger, like they were expecting me to pull the weight when it came


    to grocery shopping. My sry was only so big and buying hundreds of dors‘ worth of food meant


    little with Bruce’s impossible appetite.


    I dropped my bag onto the floor and hopped onto one of the seats at the breakfast bar. I dropped


    my head in my hands and shook it violently, wondering when I’d wake up from this nightmare.


    “Who’s out there?”


    My heart stilled and I cursed myself, forgetting that Bruce was attentive when it suited him. His


    harsh steps echoed throughout the home as he entered the hallway and walked into the kitchen,


    spotting me at one of the seats. He narrowed his eyes. at first before a crooked grin edged its way


    onto his lips.


    “Coco, hello,” he said slimily, sauntering over to the other side of the counter. I looked down, letting


    my hair fall over my eyes and effectively blocking his view of my face.


    “Bruce,” I said coldly.


    He drummed his fingers along the counter and let out a chuckle. “I’ve got some ‘friends‘ing


    over soon. Best run along before they get here.”


    I leered up at him. “Why?”


    “Oh, interested in my little business?” he asked casually, tilting his head back. “I can show you a


    thing or two about making deals with people.”


    Finally, I pulled my bangs away and allowed him to take in my scrutinizing expression. He seemed


    pleased with this, however, his smile broadening.


    “Oh, like you’re the master of maniption?” I prodded.


    Bruce leaned in close, his foul breath fanning against my face. “It’s second nature to me. You just


    find someone’s weakness, their vulnerability, and you exploit it.”


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    I felt a shiver run down my spine, a mixture of fascination and unease. Bruce had always been


    enigmatic, but now he was being open about a side of himself that I’d only heard whispers of. He


    had a reputation for hacking into secure systems, but he’d always been careful not to reveal too


    much about his illicit activities.


    Just as the conversation was taking an unsettling turn, there was a knock at the door. Bruce tilted


    his head toward the door and lifted his eyebrows, a silent offering for me to watch him in action. I


    sat still as he walked toward the door and peered through the peep hole.


    “Who is it?” he asked obnoxiously. Briefly, he caught me staring and gave me a wink. I shot him a


    look of disgust.


    “You know who it is,” a familiar voice came through the door, already sounding agitated. “Open up.”


    Bruce’s persona seemed to morph right then. His rxed demeanor turned stiff and reserved as he


    opened the door and waved his visitors inside. When I saw who walked through, I froze.


    Timothy charged in, his expression stern. He didn’t notice me sitting there with his back turned and


    his attention set solely on Bruce.


    Bruce smirked at him, his tone dripping with false cheer. “Well, look who we have here. Timothy,


    what brings you to our humble abode?”


    Timothy wasted no time, his voiceced with irritation. “Cut the crap, Bruce. Where are those CDs


    we asked for?”


    Bruce leaned against his desk, his eyes locked onto Timothy’s. “Ah, yes, the CDs. Well, it seems


    the price has gone up since ourst conversation.”


    Timothy clenched his fists, his patience wearing thin. “You can’t just change the price like that,


    Bruce. We agreed on a fair deal.”


    Bruce chuckled darkly, his eyes dancing with mischief. “Fair is such a subjective term, Timothy. But


    don’t worry, I’m willing to make apromise.”


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I watched in silence, my heart pounding in my chest. There was an air of danger in the room, and I


    could sense that things were about to take a turn for the worse.


    Timothy’s jaw clenched, his voice low and controlled. “Fine, Bruce. Just tell us the new price, and


    we’ll settle this.”


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    Bruce’s lips curled into a sly grin, and he turned his attention to me. “How about this, Timothy? I’ll


    throw in Evie as part of the deal. That should bnce out the price, don’t you think?”


    My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a flush of embarrassment wash over me. All eyes fell on me and


    I ducked my head, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks. I couldn’t tell if Bruce was joking or not.


    Timothy’s face darkened with anger, and he took a step forward, his voice sharp and unwavering.


    “You nasty fuck. How are you going to disrespect your own sister like that?”


    My eyes widened and I looked up at Timothy. His eyes were on Bruce, but there was a passion


    behind his re that made my chest tighten and my heart quicken in pace.


    “I’m here for the CDs,” Timothy repeated. “Nothing else.”


    Bruce’sughter filled the room, a sinister sound despite the humor in his expression. “Dude, you’re


    such a buzzkill. Fine, fine, I’ll give you your precious CDs. But the price has gone up, so be


    prepared to pay.”


    Timothy looked at me once again and I couldn’t help but pause under his striking gaze. His hazel


    eyes considered me for a moment, curiosity taking over his previous anger. Eventually, he looked


    back at Bruce and scoffed.


    “Fine.” Timothy reached into his pocket, producing a wad of cash. He counted out the money and


    handed it to Bruce. After receiving the payment, Bruce went to go. retrieve the burned CDs before


    shoving them into Timothy’s hands.


    “Nice doing business with you,” Bruce said pleasantly, tucking the cash away. Timothy squinted at


    him, his fists clenched. “Consider it thest time. Asshole.”


    As Timothy walked out in a huff, Bruce turned to me, a wicked glint in his eyes. “Well, that was


    amusing, don’t you think, Evie?”


    I red at him, my voiceced with anger. “You’re despicable, Bruce. Offering me up like I’m some


    kind of toy.”


    Bruce shrugged, unapologetic and unabashed. “It’s all in good fun, Evie. You shouldn’t take it so


    seriously.”


    But I couldn’t shake the feeling of vition and betrayal that had settled in my


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    chest. Bruce’s words had cut deep, and I couldn’t deny that I’d been


    entertain his antics even slightly. As he continued tough, I couldn’t help but wonder how deep his


    deceit ran and what other secrets he was hiding.