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“Should I have a name?”
“Oh, I can totally see you as Angel or Azriel,” one of the guys suggested.
A few others agreed as we headed down the stairs. The double doors opened, and we stepped into a grand room with marbled designs etched on the walls. The lights dimmed, and sheer fabric hung all over the place.
“Wow.”
“You know what they say, no one does it like New York. Even the brothels are grand.” Jess bumped shoulders with me.
I relaxed even further and followed behind her as we walked. Booths were set up around the room. Men and women talked over the low music that filled the space. There were multiple doors, and groups of people were ushered to them.
“What’s happening over there?”
“Oh, parties. We have individuals who are just here for services out here. They order what they want and go up to the second floor. Those rooms are for parties or business meetings.”
“What if you don’t want to join in?” I asked.
Jess shrugged, and the others parted away from us, going to speak to the people walking in. “Then you don’t. Everyone is here by choice.” She placed a hand on my shoulder and smiled. “Don’t go believing everything you see on television. Most of us love what we do.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you.”
She waved her perfectly manicured hand. “Don’t worry. It helps for sure to get a customer who swears they’re going to save you from this lifestyle. The money is always worth it.”
“Sweetie.” A man waved her over.
Jess looked at him and then back at me.
“Uh, one second, darling.”
I nodded as she rushed over to him. His hands dropped around her waist instantly and pulled her in for a kiss. I looked away, my cheeks warming. It didn’t matter where I looked. Everyone was flirting unashamedly.
My mind wandered to Giancarlo. If he were down here, he’d be boisterous, drawing everyone to him. I muffled a laugh picturing Giancarlo being his usual insane self.
“Hey, cutie.”
I turned around, not expecting anyone to be talking to me. A man a few inches taller than me with an angular face and thick-rimmed glasses stood behind me. He sounded nice as he smiled at me. Straight white teeth and the kind of smile I’d expect from a salesman.
“What’s your name?”
My stomach twisted in knots as I looked into dark blue eyes that I’d be able to point out in a lineup. Years had passed since I’d seen them, but it hadn’t made the lasting impression they left on me any fainter. He was older-looking now. Crow’s feet rested in the corner of his eyes, and gray dusted his temples. It wasn’t enough change. I never wanted to see him again.
“Can you not talk?” he asked.
I stepped back and shook my head. What was he doing here? The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I looked around the room, squinting, trying to find the one man I didn’t want to see ever again. It was too dark, and there were too many people for me to pick my father out of the group. However, if this piece of shit was here, then he had to be as well.
Elegant fingers touched my wrist. I yanked back as if he’d burned me. I wiped my wrists off on my shirt, but it wasn’t enough. The urge to scratch my skin off buzzed around my head till my nails bit into the flesh.
“What the hell? You’re a whore. Too good to do your job?” He reached for me again, and I scrambled back. “Fucking tease.” His eyes lit up. “Or are you one of those who likes to play hard to get? A no means yes situation?”
Bile burned the back of my throat the more bullshit that came out of his mouth.
“Hey, darling, I hope you don’t mind, but my friend here isn’t on the menu tonight,” Jess said.
I wanted to shout at her to get away from him, but one look from those blue eyes made me snap my mouth shut. My hands shook at my sides as they spoke. My heart thrashed against my ribcage, threatening to break free. I couldn’t focus on what they were saying as panicked fear twisted my insides. He finally walked away, and Jess stepped in front of me.
“Hey, you okay, hun?”
No. I smiled and nodded.I’m okay. Everything is fine. Smile, and everything will work out. Smile. Fucking smile!“Yes.”
