“Throw punches and snap a few bones, enough to make her point but not so much that she needs major medical attention.” Gabe stops speaking suddenly. There’s more there, something he’s not telling us.
Sean nods and takes my shoulders in his hands and looks into my eyes. “Listen, everything will be fine. I’ll make certain of it. I’ll grab Pete and Jon if I have to. God knows they owe me one. I’ll get you away from her. You’ll show up later and this will be the last night you work for that woman.” There’s a faint smile on his lips as he leans in close enough to kiss me and whispers, “After tonight, you’ll be mine, and I very much hope that you’ll say yes.” He smiles at me, kisses my forehead, and pushes me toward the door.
CHAPTER 3
That’s the end of the conversation. I’m shoved in the car and am back on the road before I can think. Driving past the sand dunes, I wonder about Black’s other thug and what to do if that guy finds me. God, I feel sick. It’s like someone has been playing PONG with my stomach. I crack the window and creep along the road until I hit the parkway.
It feels like I’m missing something that should be obvious, but I don’t see it. When I started working for Black, Mel told me that I could leave—that I could take one client and be done with it—but things didn’t work out that way. It’s like I’m her only call girl. For a second, I wonder how many women Black employs. I’ve only ever seen Mel, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other girls. I’ve seen the thick files on her desk, right before she enters the data into her computer. Black’s operation takes in a lot of money, and she has a shortage of girls.
Even so, something doesn’t sit right. I can’t put my finger on what’s wrong, but it feels perilous. Is there another connection between all these people? Gabe, Black, Naked Guy, Mel, Henry Thomas, and Sean Ferro. I think back, trying to make connections between them. But, other than Henry and Sean, there aren’t any obvious ones.
Maybe I’m a paranoid psycho for even thinking this way, but it feels like I’m standing in the middle of a chessboard and all the other players are moving into position. My gut instinct is that it has nothing to do with being a call girl, but that doesn’t make any sense. All these people are in my life because I’m a hooker. There’s no real connection between these people. Well, that’s not entirely true. There is one connection between all of them—me.
My throat tightens. Am I being played? If so, why? I mean, I’m a nobody. If my name showed up in the paper, accused of some heinous crime, no one would care. And, my sexting files? Being outed as a hooker would end my career, but it would also get Black’s ass thrown into prison. It would ruin both of us. So, why would she do that? That can’t be it. Black is trying to keep a hold on me, and maybe it’s about the money and nothing more.
I try to shove the puzzle pieces together over and over again, but they don’t fit. I’m the only link between all these people and I’m also the only person getting dicked around. No one messes with Black or Gabe or Thug #2. Damn it! What the hell is that guy’s name? I need to remember.
When I get back to the dorm, I park at the back of the lot and run to the building and up the staircase. By the time I’m on my floor, I’m sweating and shaking. Heart pounding, I race to Mel’s room and knock. She’s always here a few hours before a client, getting ready, but she doesn’t answer.
Instead Asia pops her head out. “What’s up, Avery?” She looks me over and arches an eyebrow. “Were you making-out with seaweed again?”
Again? WTF? Ignoring her jab, I ask, “Where’s Mel?”
Asia throws out her hip and rests her head against the edge of the door. “Working. Her boss called her in early. She said that she’d meet you there.”
The skin on the back of my neck prickles instantly and spreads, covering my arms and snaking around my neck like a noose. I stand shivering and speechless.
Asia looks back into the darkened room. It’s pitch black and a voice I don’t recognize calls her name. She says, “One second,” over her shoulder and then steps out into the hallway, pulling the door closed behind her. “What’s the matter? You look like you’re going to hurl. Is Mel all right?”
I nod a few times and force a smile. It feels like a trap. There are neon signs lighting up and exploding in my head, but I still can’t see the connection. Hiding my apprehension, I manage a normal tone and make something up. “Yeah, everything’s great. I just thought we were riding to work together, that’s all. No biggie.”