Traded by Naomi West

I traded my freedom for a chance at survival. Now, I belong to a monster.
You can’t outrun your fate.
I would know – I tried.
I fled death and destruction…
…only to end up in the bed of a killer.
Michal
Alina was like all the other girls.
Hopeful. Expectant. Naive.
I’ve seen this picture a hundred times before.
And it never ends well.
The fighters usually survive for a few years.
Not her though.
Alina’s not cut out for this life.
But try swaying my father when there’s money to be made.
I’m still stuck figuring, Why her?
Maybe it was her eyes calling to something deep inside me.
Or maybe I just hate sharing.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m no saint.
But I won’t be responsible for another body splayed in some alleyway.
Not this time.
Not Alina.
Alina
I should have listened to my gnawing insides.
It all seemed too easy. Planned.
I was right.
When my parents were killed I was left with nothing.
Coming to America was my last hope. A ticket to a new life.
But I should’ve taken my own advice:
Don’t. Trust. Anyone.
It’s hard not to wonder how many other girls there have been.
If any of them survived.
Not that it matters considering I’m bound to one man now.
And don’t let the charming smile fool you.
Iwan Nowak is a monster.
On the bright side, Michal has taken a liking to me.
But I can’t decide what’s a worse fate:
Working for Iwan…
Or being claimed by his son.