CEO of Manhattan

, a cell phone was monitored and I only had one so I could communicate with my bodyguard, receive school materials and participate in study groups. My father wouldn't let me join a measly book club.

because when he was high, he liked to torture me emotionally. He had plans that terrified me. My environment was made up of very wealthy men who had enough power to do whatever they wanted. Any husband he found me could be just another cruel sadist. Who could protect me if I wasn't even safe with my own father? "Are you okay, Miss Hudson?" Brady asked from the front seat. "I'm fine," I lied, as I did every day. And he knew. Brady started protecting me two years ago, when my previous bodyguard mysteriously disappeared. He was kinder and somewhat polite, always saying good morning or good afternoon, never rushing me, and every now and then, he would give me cereal bars with sugar and chocolate. I didn't open up, because I didn't know if he wanted to get closer to gain my trust and end up telling some possible secret to my father. As if my life was interesting... Mrs. King's parties were always full and very refined. All of California's high society attended, even those I wasn't sure could be considered good people. Not every citizen was good. Some gave me the creeps. I walked in alone, Brady went to the side and Donatella stepped in my way, greeting me with her usual warmth. She smelled nice and made me feel comfortable. "I've saved you a seat with the girls. I've already convinced your father." She rubbed my arms. Elizabeth, her daughter, walked past us, excited. "Bess, honey?" "Kate! Hi!" She smiled and grabbed my hand. "Come on! The girls are there!" I didn't go to my father to ask for permission, pretending that Mrs. King had the power to convince him to do anything. Maybe he was trying to please her, pretending to be a kind man, just as he pretended to love my mother, until he publicly came out to Kia. "You remember Kim and Jane, right? Olivia is with Luke, but she'll be joining us soon." Bess was excited. She laughed softly as she said she could get spiked drinks if I wanted, but I couldn't dare try alcohol. My father would kill me in public. - Soda? Another thing I couldn't drink. - Sparkling water, if