Page 34 of Deliverance

"Me too." He stepped back, keeping his hands on my arms as he peered down at me. "I don't know if this will help but remember it's just sex."

"Just sex?" I snorted. "It's my body."

Ric stepped back and dropped his hands. "I know. I completely understand."

"How? It's not you who’s going to have to have sex with a stranger tonight."

"No, but it was me who had to submit to Saffron last night to save us."

I blinked. "What do you mean, save us?"

"She threatened to tell Frank that I was sweet on you or whatever, and she would probably tell more lies to get rid of both of us."

"Sweet on me?" I chuckled. "What the fuck?"

"It's most likely because she saw us eating breakfast together yesterday."

"With Zell," I argued.

"It doesn't matter. I handled it."

I started to pace around the small room, going in circles around Ric. "You handled it by sleeping with the devil."

He shrugged. "I did what I had to do, and that's exactly what I'm telling you to do tonight."

"I've never had sex without some sort of feelings for the person."

"Just pretend it's an actor you have a crush on or something."

I stopped pacing and furrowed my brow. "What? You mean fantasize about another man?"

"I don't know what else to tell you. We're in a really fucked-up situation."

"I know," I sighed. We stared at each other for a few moments. "Thank you for trying to help, and for…" I paused and then, trying to lighten the mood, said with a smirk, "taking one for the team last night."

Ric grunted a laugh. "Yeah, anytime." He hugged me again. "For what it's worth, you look really beautiful."

I wanted his words to make me feel better, but they didn't. All I could think about was what was going to happen in less than an hour.

* * *

Before the clients arrived, Madam had us get into a line in the main room. She walked down the row, making sure we met her standards. I was in the bra and panty set and nothing else besides the black heels I’d worn the night I had been kidnapped. I wanted to wrap myself in the robe I had in my room at the very least.

Ric stood near the elevator, and he gave me a small smile when our eyes met. Even though I had the other girls in the house to talk to, Ric was the only one I had truly formed a friendship with. I knew it was because I had somewhat met him the night at Lock, but also because we both wanted out. Of course, the other girls wanted out, but I didn't think he had promised them he would get them out as he had me. I just didn't realize it would take longer than a month.

Could I slip out during the party? Somehow get a keycard and run? As I stared at Ric, I knew I couldn't. Not because I was scared of being caught, but because I was worried about what would happen to him. I would always wonder because I cared for him. Could we slip out together? He wouldn't run because of his mom, and I didn't blame him. I wouldn't want to live a life always looking over my shoulder. Frank Russo may have some of the New York City cops on his payroll, but what about another town? We could run to a different state, go to the FBI, something.

There had to be a way.

The elevator dinged and opened. I never saw someone call up and give their membership number, and when the man stepped out, I knew why.

"Sir," Ric greeted and stuck out his hand.

I stiffened at the sight of the man responsible for me being trapped. How could someone so handsome—because Frankwashandsome for a man at least twenty years older than me—be so cruel?

Madam snapped her fingers, and Emily moved, going to the scotch and pouring two fingers for Frank. Madam turned her attention on us, and we straightened in the line.

"I didn't know you were coming," Madam said as she handed Frank the glass.