5 Nights (Sinful Delights Romance - Boxed Set) (12 page)

“Rebecca, fix her hair and makeup while I gather some drinks.”  She obviously expected the woman to do as she asked.  I watched the door close behind her.

“Come sit down and let’s make you even more beautiful.” Alana seemed like a decent person.  The smile she gave actually did reach her eyes and I liked her instantly. 

Following her suggestion, I walked over to the chair she was motioning to, and sat down.  “So have you worked here long?”

Her honey brown eyes looked trouble by the question, but she covered it with another smile.  “A little over a year.”  She began brushing my hair and I was amazed at how expertly she styled.

“So are the tips good?” Rebecca had moved on to do my makeup.  My eyes were closed as she applied shadow to my lids.

“It’s more money than you can imagine.” Maybe it was just me, but she didn’t sound like she was happy with that.

I could only assume that she wasn’t pleased with her career choice.  Even during my short time at Sin’s place I’d met girls that hated what they did.  The money kept them in the profession, but you could see in their eyes how they resented the job.

“I’m only doing this for a few months until I finish college.” I’d hoped maybe my declaration would make it clear that she had other options.

She finished with my face and I could only stare at myself in astonishment.  This woman would make a great makeup artist, I thought.  “Wow, you should be a beautician.”

She shook her head and the sadness that filled her eyes stunned me.  “I said the same thing.  It’s hard to stop once you get started in this line of work.”

I didn’t have time to ask her to explain.  Darcy walked in with a tray of drinks.  She sat them down on the make-up counter, and lifted a wine glass off, handing it to me.  “I think we should all celebrate our newest arrival.”

Again the smile didn’t meet her eyes.  I internally shrugged.  Whatever was going on in this woman’s mind, I didn’t want to make her angry.  Frank obviously liked her, and I couldn’t afford to make an enemy here.

I took the drink she offered and watched as the glasses were handed out around the room.  Darcy lifted the drink in a mock toast, and as everyone else drank, so did I. 

The drink was really sweet and fruity.  My nerves were really strung tight so I finished it quickly.  There
was a strange aftertaste that I couldn’t quiet place, but I knew I didn’t want to drink whatever that was again.

Rebecca gave me a strangely compassionate look, and I began to feel really odd.  My head felt a little light, and I grabbed the armrests on the chair.  “Wow that stuff packs a punch.”

“I’m sorry.  I should have warned you about Frank’s specialty.  It does have an interesting effect.” Darcy laughed and held out a hand. 

I felt the room spin somewhat, and reached out to accept her help.  “I think next time I might need to forgo that drink.”  I actually giggled.  That was so not like me.  Even the tequila hadn’t given me a buzz as quickly as that drink did.

The night passed by in a complete blur.  I wasn’t asked to strip that night.  Darcy took me around, introducing me to countless men that seemed pleased to meet me.  I smiled when I remembered, but to be honest I wasn’t really thinking.  Whatever that drink was, it kicked my butt.  I had never giggled so much in my life.

Endless partners asked me to dance, and knowing I needed to make my place in the club, I accepted every offer. I had no idea what I’d said to any of the men I talked to, but they didn’t seem to mind.  As long as I smiled they appeared pleased.

Frank drove me home before sunrise in his limousine.  It was the first time I’d ever ridden in one, and that seemed pretty funny to me.  Everything was humorous.  Even Frank reaching over and pulling me to him, kissing me soundly on the lips before he let me out at the dorms. 

He’d stuck a wad of cash in my purse, and I was so blitzed that I didn’t even stop to count it.  I made it back into my room and fell on my bed.  I didn’t even remember changing back into my street clothes at the club.  I passed out the minute my head hit the pillow.

chapter nineteen

Rage

“What the fuck do you mean she quit!”  I leave for less than a week and all hell broke loose at my club.

George held his hands up behind the bar. Like he was trying to fend off an attack.  I wasn’t a total asshole.  I wasn’t going to beat the shit out of him.  “What did she say?”

“She said you wouldn’t let her dance.  Some guy from Gent’s offered her a job according to Kera and she took it?” George gave a shrug of his shoulders.

“Goddamn, Motherfucking Shit!” She was with Frank Fowler.  That sleazy asshole was only allowed in my club because he greased half the fucking politician’s pockets in the city, and you didn’t exclude him if you wanted to remain in business.

I left so I could get my shit together.  I was falling hard and fast and felt like a complete mother fucker for what I’d done to Anya.  I didn’t think she’d leave.  I knew I’d pissed her off, but I’d assumed she’d just dance anyway.  That was the reason I’d taken the vacation.  I didn’t want to blow my fucking cool again when she rocked that stage.

Fowler was a fucking slimy ass crook.  He just happened to be one rich ass piece of shit.  “You got any idea what he does to those girls George?”  I knew this wasn’t his fault but fuck me I needed someone to lay the blame on.

“This is the only strip club I visit.”  He rolled his eyes and chuckled.  “I ain’t no babysitter Sin.  You should’ve taken care of her before you left.”

I knew he was right.  That didn’t stop me from slamming my hand down on the bar in frustration.  Frank was nothing more than a glorified pimp, and that fucking ritzy place he called a club was a ring game.  It was rumored that he kept his girls drugged up.  He paid enough people off to keep that rumor silenced. No way in hell my sweet little lily was staying there.

I pulled my cell phone out and dialed up Frank.  Disgusted that I had his number in my contacts, I waited until he answered.  “You got one of my girls. I want her back.”

I knew the power that fuck head had over the authorities and would have to play his way.  As much as I hated it, he had even more clout than I did.

“You let that little beauty slip right out the door.  Now why should I let her go?”

Frank was loving this shit. I could hear it in his voice.  He’d been trying to get me involved with his game for years.  I didn’t buy and sell flesh.

“We both know the game Frank.  How much is it going to cost me to make you kick her ass out the door?”  I knew she couldn’t have worked for him more than a few days since George said she stopped in on Wednesday.  It was only Tuesday now.

“Sweet Lily is a real asset to my club.  I’ve grown rather fond of her.”  His possessive laugh made me want to smash his head through a fucking window.  I gritted my teeth, knowing I had to be nice.

“Name your price.”  Frank was a low-life but he was also a business man. I knew he’d cave if I kept offering money.

“Fifty grand and the little flower gets a pink slip.”  I could tell it amused him to name such a price.  There was no doubt in my mind that the rumors of prostitution were real now.  If it was really that pricey to get him to boot Anya to the curb, he sure wasn’t selling erotic dances.

“Shit Frank, that’s some serious green.”  I had the money but I wanted to see if he’d fold on the price.

“That’s some prime pussy.”

I saw fucking red with his words.  “You sample her to find that out?” If he touched my girl I was going to ram his balls up his ass and say fuck you to whoever I pissed off.

“Let’s just say she tastes sweeter than sunshine on the tongue.” He chuckled again and I wanted to reach through the phone and strangle him. 

“I’ll have your money tonight.”  Gritting my teeth again I planned his death.  That fucker was going to pay for touching what was mine. 

“Be here tonight at seven.  If you’re not, well let’s just say the sweet Lily will take her first bidder.”  He hung up the phone and my hand slammed down on the bar again.

What the fuck had he done to her?  That was all my mind could think about.  I wanted to smash his skull.  Instead I picked up the phone and called Kera.

“You talked to Anya lately.”  I needed to know how deep she was with Frank.  There was still a chance that I could talk some sense in her without going the other route.

“She hasn’t returned my calls all week.  Her roommate said she was staying with some girl named Darcy.  Missed class too.” I could hear the worry in her voice and knew that my girl was in some serious shit.

“I’ll take care of it.”  If I had to kill a motherfucker I’d fix this fucking mess.

“I’m really worried, Sin.  Would you call me when you talk to her?”

She was right to be worried.  I was pissed that no one had called me.  Being the bastard I was, I still knew it was no one’s fault but my own for not being here.  I left because I couldn’t stand the thought of her dancing on stage. 

Never had it crossed my mind that she’d leave the club.  I didn’t even think to call and check in.  If I hadn’t gotten my shit together and came back, no telling how bad things would have gotten.  I wasn’t sure they weren’t already fucked up beyond belief.

“I’ll call you.”  Hanging up the phone I called my accountant.  Fifty thousand dollars wasn’t chump change, but I could easily cover it.  Hell I’d give my whole damn bank account to get her out of that place. 

I tried her cellphone but it went straight to voice mail.  There was nothing left to do but visit Gent’s tonight.  The thought of showing up at that place made me fucking sick.  I’d never liked Frank, but now he’d earned a place on my small list of people I’d like to off after this shit.

I went back home and dressed to the nines.  I knew suit and ties were expected at his club and not being let in the door sure as shit wasn’t going to help my case tonight.  I preferred my jeans and t-shirts, this monkey suit crap was the reason I didn’t own a corporation. 

Driving one of my sports cars I sped off to Gent’s hoping I could keep my shit together long enough to get her safe.  Rage, that’s what I was feeling as the valet took my keys. I wanted to kick his ass for simply working here.  I steeled my emotions and walked in as if I owned the place.

Frank smiled and I could see the greed on the motherfuckers face.  I wanted to smash my fist into his teeth and leave him nothing to grin with. Instead I took the hand he offered and forced a smirk.  There would be time to kick his ass later.  When I knew Anya was safe again, I planned on beating the living dog shit out of him.

The leather case I was carrying didn’t escape Frank’s cold eyes. “I assume we’re making a deal tonight.”  The smirk on his face pissed me the fuck off.  Again I managed to keep my shit together.

“That’s why I’m here.”

He looked at me curiously and I forced myself not to let my emotions show. “I have to ask why this girl is so important.  I have a club full of beautiful women here.”

How could I explain to a sleaze ball like this how much I cared for her.  Until I’d left I hadn’t even realized myself what she meant to me.  “She’s special.”  That was all the fuck that slimy bastard was going to hear.

Shrugging his shoulders.  “She’s a little tame for my taste, but to each their own.” With a grin, he walked off and I followed.

He had no idea how close to lying in a pool of blood he was. 
Keep your shit together.
  I kept repeating the mantra in my head.  She was the important thing here tonight, not my ego.  If he’d fucked her, I knew she’d been drugged and raped.  She was going to need me a lot more than I needed to feed my need for revenge.

He led me up the carpeted staircase and stopped at the top opening a door.  “Money first,” he turned back to me with a smile, blocking my entrance.

I handed him over the case without a second thought.  The money didn’t mean shit to me, it never had. 

He didn’t bother to open it.  “Take her home.  And Sin,” he grinned widely, “take care of your property if you plan on claiming it.”  With those words he walked away and it was a good damn thing he did.

Walking into the room I saw Anya resting on the couch.  She was sound asleep, dressed in a scarlet red dress and looked more beautiful than any woman I’d ever seen in my life.

Kneeling down beside her, I stroked her cool cheek.  “Baby, you need to wake up for me.”  She looked unharmed and I breathed a sigh of relief.  When she didn’t wake up I started to panic.

“Little lily open your damn eyes.”  I didn’t mean to scream at her but she was freaking my shit out by not answering.

Her lashes swept upward and her pale orbs looked at me without seeing. 
What the fuck did they do to her
? “I’m going to get you out of here baby.”  I didn’t expect her to answer.  Whatever drugs she was on, it was apparent they had fucked her up.  Lifting her into my arms, I carried her out of the room.  I didn’t stop. 

We got more than a few strange looks as she rested peacefully in my arms.  I didn’t give a shit. Fear was all that filled my mind at the moment.  The valet pulled my car around and I slid her into a seat, pulling a seatbelt over her. 

She was breathing normally, but her eyes were closed again.  I didn’t know if I should take her to a hospital or back to my place.  Knowing she probably didn’t want a drug rap on her record, I decided to take her home with me.