Innocence Burned(25)

I removed the nightie I was already wearing and dropped it to the floor. Taking the dress from the nun, I stepped into the simple sheath and allowed her to zip me up. Under different circumstances I would take the time to admire the luxurious silk and even appreciate how much a dress like this probably cost.

Now I didn’t care.

I longed for the shield of a sweatshirt and jeans.

It stung a little how inconsequential my life had been to this point. Groomed to become a whore for a man who only cared whether I lived or died depending on how much money I was worth.

“Sit,” the nun ordered, pointing at the single chair in the middle of the room.

My stomach churned as I moved to obey. Thirty minutes ago a stranger sat in this chair while I sucked his cock. As much as I wanted to wipe that memory from my brain, it was burned there for eternity. No matter what happened, I would never forget what I was.

After I settled into the seat, the woman grabbed my chin and forced me to look at her. It was a strange look she gave me, but I was too tired to figure it out. If they were dressing me up to go out, it was probably another opportunity for me to open my mouth or spread my legs for another man who didn’t give a shit about me.

“They are coming for you soon. Be ready to run.”

My eyes widened, stunned.

When her words sank in I almost laughed. There were five-inch heels strapped to my feet at the moment. I would not be running anywhere.

Except that strange look in her eyes I couldn’t interpret made my stomach jolt. “Who is coming?” I asked.

She shook her head on a heavy sigh. “Just be ready. And try to be smart this time.”

Without waiting for a response, the woman slipped from the room. Frowning, I stared at the closed door wondering what the hell had just happened. Did everyone forget how to speak plain English? Either way, I was tired of the drama. Run, sit, bend over, lay still, or open your mouth. I was getting sick and tired of being pulled every which way. My eyes grew heavy the more I stared at the door. I turned and looked at the bed. If someone managed to come through that door wanting me to do something else tonight they could damn well wake me up.





Chapter Thirteen



Houston



Houston grabbed the tequila bottle from the table next to him and unscrewed the cap. Fuck a glass, glasses were for pussies. He upended the bottle and poured the liquor down his throat, waiting for the burn of alcohol to wipe away his incessant thoughts.

More than three weeks had passed since his weekend with Izzy and he still couldn’t stop thinking about her. If he sat still for more than a few minutes, the scent of her sweet skin would invade his senses, or he’d see her standing on the pier in that ridiculous wedding gown. Or when his head was particularly fucked up, he’d see her being shoved into the white van by a couple of ruthless thugs, stark fear etched across her face.

He threw the bottle across the room and watched it shatter against a wall. Nothing worked. He grabbed his cigarettes from his vest pocket and fished one out.

“You aren’t going to be worth shit to the club if you keep this up.”

Houston slowly turned to face Axel, sick of his supposed childhood best friend and now current rider of his ass. “Maybe you need to come down off your high horse and tell me what’s really eating your ass.”

“Fuck you. I’m not the one sitting around every night drowning in tequila instead of making himself useful. What the hell happened to you that you let pussy fuck up your head like this? Is this what the Marines did for you?”

Houston dropped his cigarettes and jumped off the couch. He grabbed Axel by the collar of his leather cut and shoved him against the wall with his forearm across his throat, cutting off his air. “I’m sick of you trying to break my balls over this shit every single day. You don’t like what you got that’s too fucking bad. The deal is made.”

“You should have stayed away,” Axel seethed, his face turning red.

“Enough.” JD’s voice exploded through the room. “Houston, let him go and get your ass in my office. Now.”

He growled against the order, pressing harder against Axel’s windpipe.

“I don’t know what your fucking deal is, but this shit ends now. Get in my face again and you’ll learn first hand why my skills are so important to this club.”

“Fuck you.” Axel spat in his face.

“Goddammit Houston I said now.” JD got into his face and shoved him with his fist.

He took a deep breath and released his former friend. It was obvious whatever they were to each other before was now over. Apparently their friendship did not withstand the test of time. He grabbed another bottle of tequila and headed toward JD’s office. Once there he settled into the cracked leather chair across from his club president’s desk and took a final swig of the bitter alcohol.