Soul Broker Read Online Free Page A

Soul Brokers answered her call.
    Drew glared at Olesha. Foolish woman, all of the people were not here by their own free will. Nobody would do this unless she offered freedom, and she wouldn’t. Olesha smirked. Christ, no, she was going to do it. If she offered someone their freedom to bring back his daughter, Mackenzie was dead.
    “I’ll do it,” Drew called out, pulling against the chains.
    “I know you will.” Olesha approached him. “If the woman agrees to sign a contract, you may bring her back as well.”
    “I have a few conditions.”
    Olesha’s laughter echoed in the room. “What conditions could you possibly have?”
    “I need seventy-two hours, and a guarantee you won’t pull me back early.”
    “Why should I give you anything?” Olesha moved toward him.
    “Because if I can’t convince her mother to let me have her, it’ll attract attention. Non-demonic attention. And I thought we were to avoid that at all cost.”
    “Hmmm, you may be right, but how are you going to convince a human to give up her child?”
    “I convinced her to sleep with me after a few hours of meeting. Besides, I only need to convince her to let me get to know the child. When I take her, it’ll be by the girl’s free will.”
    Drew hoped this would work. He kept his face like granite. If he betrayed his feelings, it would be the end for his daughter and Mackenzie. No, he would not let them down.
    “Very well, you have seventy-two hours.”
    With a wave of her hand, Drew was dressed and back at the park, where he had made his last deal.
    He glanced at the watch on his wrist. The countdown had begun. “Stupid bitch, she could’ve at least told me where to look.”
    He stopped in his tracks at a familiar voice, one he’d only heard moments ago from Olesha’s pool. Drew turned his head toward the sweetest sound he’d ever heard, his daughter’s laughter.

    Mackenzie sat on a park bench while Sophie played on the playground with the other kids. She brought a book with her, but couldn’t take her eyes off Sophie long enough to read. Her little one ran after the other kids, laughing.
    A shadow blocked the sunshine. Startled, she turned to see who or what it was. Her mouth fell open. It couldn’t be him . He approached her slowly, like a cat stalking its prey. Tall, muscular, blonde hair tied back in a pony- tail, and piecing gray eyes.
    “No. It can’t be!” Mackenzie stood and backed away from him. She wasn’t scared, she was pissed.
    “Mackenzie, I don’t have a lot of time, we need to talk now.” Drew strutted towards her. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
    “I’m not afraid of you… you idiot! I’m afraid what I’m going to do to you .” Mackenzie backed herself against a large oak tree. She tried to edge around the circumference of it, but Drew followed her like a cat stalking a mouse.
    “Please stop. I really need to talk to you.” Drew continued to shadow her every move.
    “It’s been three years, Drew! Three fucking years without a word from you.” Mackenzie turned to the side, trying to keep her eyes on Sophie.
    “I didn’t leave by choice. If you stop I’ll explain everything, but Mackenzie, we’re running out of time.” Drew moved ahead of her and pinned her against the tree.
    “Let go of me!” Mackenzie struggled against him.
    “Stop! The other parents are staring.”
    “Then let me go.” She kicked her feet, but Drew dodged them. His arms were long enough to keep his body safe. For now.
    “Our daughter’s in danger.”
    Mackenzie stopped fighting, and her heart sped up. “What do you mean? How do you know Sophie’s your daughter?”
    “I’ll tell you everything. If I let you go, will you listen to me?”
    “Yes, now let me go.”
    Drew removed his hands and took a step backwards.
    Mackenzie smoothed out her shirt, brushed her from her hair from her face, and walked up to Drew.
    She spoke low.
    “What? I can’t hear you,” Drew said.
    Mackenzie said it again, a little