Page 35

“ It’s your first time. It’s natural to be unsure.” My husband presses his lips to my cheek to soothe me. Comfort me. But it only makes my stomach twist in repulsion.

The VIP rooms inside Jason’s club are dark, with only a couple of lights above illuminating red.

The wrap around black couch hugs the wall and there’s a pole in the center.

My hands are clammy, and I wipe them on my short black dress Jason put me in.

It’s been five years since we married and when he came to me telling me it’s time to make myself something other than a homemaker, I assumed he was meaning a hobby.

Something I can be passionate about. But not this.

This is unexpected, to say the least, and I’ve never felt more used. Taken advantage of in my life.

To say I have a choice in anything would be a lie. I lived under Jason’s roof. His rules. There is no getting out, so what choice did I have?

“You look perfect, my darling. Just think of this as purely a job. A way to please me and I will treat you to something nice with the money you earn tonight. I’m doing this because I love you.”

I stare straight ahead into the room, and I want to vomit. His words are meaningless. I know that, but I plant a smile on my face, anyway. “I know. Thank you.” I’m delusional.

Jason’s hand slowly moves down my lower back, cupping my ass. “Now be a good girl.”

I kiss his cheek and enter the VIP lounge. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. My husband told me the men aren’t allowed to touch me, so I suppose I can be grateful for that.

But as I enter the room, three men rake their gazes down and across my body and, in that moment, I wanted to die.

I jolt awake, springing into a sitting position. I’m safe. It’s okay. I’m at Lana’s with a tray of pancakes, fruit, and orange juice sitting on my nightstand.

The door creaks open and in walks Lana. “Okay. I know they aren’t going to taste like yours, but I’ve tested them, and I’d give them a six out of ten. I even poured caramel drizzle over them. Oh, and I squeezed the oranges with my bare hands.”

I pick up a strawberry as Lana sits down on the other side of the bed. “This is sweet of you. Thank you.”

Her face drops into something unrecognizable. “It’s been two days, Sora. Don’t let this prick do this to you. He’s probably only trying to intimidate you. There’s been no sighting of a crazed husband roaming around town. So, get out of this funk and out of this bed.”

Something drained my courage. Haven’t been able to function properly for the last forty-eight hours.

I’ve also been ignoring Logan’s texts, his calls, his visits.

I laid everything out on the table, embarrassment marring my entire being now.

He must think I’m a complete sociopath. I’m married and didn’t tell him.

“I’m with you in this. Logan too. Which, by the way, that poor guy has been moping around because you won’t answer his calls. He also came by this morning. Stop freakin’ ignoring him.”

That makes my guilt weigh heavier.

“Look, I know this is the last thing you want to do, but the pub is having a small get together to celebrate Mr. Campbell’s retirement. Come out with me tonight. It’ll do you some good.”

The last thing I want is to be in a large crowd, in a public setting. But I look and feel a mess. I haven’t gotten out of bed, and I called off work the last two days. Good thing I made extra desserts and stored them in the freezer.

“Going out to a bar when my husband is on the loose doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

“Yeah, well, fuck him. Don’t let him see he’s won. Nothing says fuck you like going about your normal life—the one you’ve built here.”

My chest warms. The life I’ve built . “Yeah, you’re right.”

Lana’s face flashes with a wide grin. “Good. Now take a shower. Do your hair and pick out something hot to wear tonight. I have your back. We all do.” I’m not sure Lana knows what she’s getting herself into.

She still sees the apprehension on my face.

“When you’re ready to tell me everything, I’ll be here to listen. ”

When I told Logan everything, my shoulders grew lighter. Relief flooded over me. For someone else to know what I went through was… in a way, comforting. And not so alone.

I pick at the bedding and grab Lana’s hand, pulling her to sit back down. “You deserve to know and I’m ready to tell you, but please don’t freak out.”

Her eyes narrow with concern as she grabs a pillow, hugging it to her body.

I start from the beginning, leaving nothing out. Everything I told Logan is what I tell Lana. She’s my best friend, and it’s only fair to her to know why I disappeared when I was a teenager. Why I lost contact. Besides, I trust her with my life.

By the time I’m finished, tears are streaming down her face.

I cup her cheek. “Don’t cry for me. It wasn’t all that bad. I had a roof over my head. Clothes. Food. I got to lie out by a swimming pool that’s bigger than the trailer. Don’t you dare feel sorry for me.”

Lana curses and lets out another sob. “And don’t you dare make excuses for him, Sora.

You were sold like a piece of jewelry. Locked away like a prisoner.

He led you to believe he was giving you the best life.

Don’t you see…” She wipes more tears away.

“He’s the biggest piece of shit and I can’t believe I didn’t know.

I can’t believe I didn’t figure it out. Oh my God!

I should have known.” Lana gets up, throwing the pillow on the floor and me rising to stand near her.

“You couldn’t have possibly known, Lana. How could you have?”

“My best friend suddenly meeting an older man at seventeen and getting married. I should have fucking known. You’re spontaneous, but not an idiot.”

I sigh, adding a smile to it. “Come here.” I move her into a hug, my shirt getting damp from her tears. “You had your own shit you were going through. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

“This isn’t about me right now.” She lets out a frustrated groan. “I hate him and if I ever see him, I’ll… I’ll—”

“You will do nothing. That’s what you’ll do.”

“Sora…” Lana pushes out of my embrace. “You’re going to the police, right? I mean, this man should be in prison.”

“It won’t matter. It’ll only make things worse for me. We don’t go to the authorities. Promise me.” I grip her shoulders, burying my stare into hers.

“I hate this,” she whispers.

“Me too. That’s why after tonight I’m going to leave. Not let the people I care about get involved.”

Lana shakes her head. “Absolutely not. If you leave, I’ll be so pissed at you. I’m already involved. So, you leaving will be for nothing. If he shows up again, we’ll handle it. Together.”

I smile. That’s why I love her.

I honestly don’t know what I’ll do. Leaving seems like the only possibility, but there’s nowhere to go. And Lana would hunt me down and bring me back, anyway. If Jason does shows up again… I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.

My soft curls let loose as I run a comb through them.

I finish putting on earrings and swipe on a dark shade of red lipstick.

My mood is far from seeking fun, but Lana’s right.

I can’t let him depress me or cause me to remain locked up and afraid to step foot in public again.

If he has eyes on me, he’ll see I’m not afraid, even though deep down, I am.

I’ll get out completely. I just need more time—more money so I’m finally able to take him down.

I’m certain of it.

Downstairs, Lana waits for me. She’s in a purple dress that goes perfectly with the subtle lavender highlights in her midnight hair.

When I couldn’t decide on what to wear, Lana lent me a dress that stopped at mid-thigh and flowed when I moved. It’s not anything fancy. If I know Mr. Campbell and I slightly do, his party will be casual.

“Yes! There’s my sexy friend.”

I smile, but it fades quickly. I’m trying. Truly, I am.

“Nope. No way. You turn that frown back around. Got it?”

“You’re so bossy.” I snag my keys, but Lana shakes her head.

“I’m driving tonight. Now let's go before the good seats are all gone.”