Violet Grenade(83)

"Cain, too."

"I could do this, you know," Poppet says in a rush. "I could earn the money the same way you're thinking." 

"No," I snap. Then, realizing how harshly that came out, I let my face fall. "No, it needs to be me. I have a customer I can ask."

"Jack," Poppet says.

I nod. "And I'll be in the guesthouses where more money is spent. And more … activities are allowed. The Tulips would never let you get away with doing anything more than first base stuff." I gaze out the window to where the west guesthouse lays waiting. Only a shack, really.

Poppet throws herself into my arms. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." I pull back so she can see my face. "Don't take any crap from the Tulips, understand? If it gets too bad, you find me. Promise."

She hugs me again. "I promise."

I let go of her before I lose the nerve, and stride out of the room and toward the staircase. I leave my other wigs behind. I only need the one now. My freshest, hottest baby. Something to remind me I am Domino Ray, and I can handle anything.

What is it you're planning to do, Domino? Wilson asks as I descend the stairs.

I almost laugh. Look who's avoiding the truth now.

Wilson pretends to be hurt, presses himself into the corner of my mind and pouts. I push open the back kitchen door and glide through it, spotting the black demon car and Eric's gold sedan in the drive. I pray the officer Cain beat up hasn't ratted us out, but if he has, there's nothing I can do about it now.

Behind me, I can hear the sounds of house girls readying themselves for a night of customers and bronze coins.

I am not one of them anymore.

I am this.

I tear the tulip from my chest and throw it to the ground. The sky presses down on me as I walk, and I press back. Tilting up my chin, I set my gaze on the west house, on the shutters and miniature porch. The house can't consist of more than three bedrooms and one bathroom. I doubt there's a full kitchen, or a dining room, or any more privacy than what's afforded in the main house.

But as a Lily, I'd be awarded safety from Mr. Hodge's constant pressure to earn more, perform better, make the customers happier. And Madam Karina wouldn't be able to keep quite as close an eye on me, either. And there's more money to earn, and a place that must feel secure.

And, of course, status.

I have practically talked myself into thinking this won't be so bad. Until I leave, the days will be improved. And the nights … the nights I will turn to Wilson for comfort as I earn a fistful of cash that Poppet, Cain, and I need to start again. It's true I've never slept with anyone. And when this is all over, I won't count this as my first time. If I ever have a true first time, it will be with someone I feel safe with. Someone I trust. He will go slow and tell me he loves me and I will love him back.

I will love him back.

"Domino."

His voice is as sharp as it is deep. He moves toward me with caution, as if I'm an animal he's afraid will flee.

Cain opens his hands. "Don't do this."

Three words, and already my confidence falters.

"We can leave without the money," he says.

"We won't get far enough."

"I'll steal it."

"It'd be harder than you think."

Cain shakes his head. "There's another way. You know there is."

"Nothing will get us out of here faster than this," I say.

Cain's words come slower, softer. "Don't go in there. Don't become one of her girls."

I touch a hand to my wig. "I am not hers."

"If you go in there, you will be. Regardless of what else happens, of whether we escape her, she will always know she made you do this."



       
         
       
        

"And I will know I did whatever it took to save my friends."

Cain takes two powerful strides toward me. "I am not your friend, Domino."

When I see the hungry, desperate look in his eyes, my knees grow weak. Not this. Anything but this. I have to be strong right now, but I can't be if he keeps looking at me that way. When his hand rises to my cheek, my breath comes out in a shudder.

"I want to be the one who saves you," he says, his face so close to mine.

I close my eyes against the feel of his fingers brushing over my face, my neck, my collarbone. "Once we leave here, you can save me. But let me do this one thing first."

"I can't stand by and let this happen."

When I open my eyes, my gaze falls on his mouth. On full, pink lips. His hands wrap around my face and my every fear, my every nightmare, crumbles beneath his heel. There is only Cain now. Only this mountain of a boy who refuses to budge. A boy who is more like a man than any I've met.