Page 35 of Deliverance

"My night was free, and it's been a while since I've"—his gaze roamed down the line—"let off some steam."

"Tonight is a party night," Madam informed him.

"Then I'll take my pick and be on my way."

I swallowed as he took a step toward us, praying it wouldn't be me. Frank wasn't astranger, but was sleeping with Satan better or worse than sleeping with someone I knew nothing about? What if he chose me, and I didn't please him? Would he send me back to the warehouse?

Frank took a sip of his scotch, and just like Madam, he walked in front of us, looking at each of us from top to bottom. My heart started to race, and my palms became sweaty. Was this how it was for each of the girls their first, second, third—every time?

"Are they all doing well?" Frank asked, still scrutinizing us.

"There haven't been any complaints about most of them," Madam replied.

Frank's gaze snapped to her. "Most of them?"

Madam walked to me, and I hoped the building collapsed or something, anything other than what I feared was about to happen. Was Madam going to tell Frank that Ric and I had a friendship? Was she going to lie and tell him something more was going on? I looked at Ric out of the corner of my eye for a brief second, silently asking for help. Would he step in if Madam told Frank a lie? I knew Ric had a gun. Would this be the moment?

Would he save me?

Madam twirled her fingers in my long brown hair. "Erin hasn't been with a client yet."

"And why not?" Frank questioned.

Madam smiled. "She's been teaching Zell."

"Teaching her?"

"Yes, Erin was a teacher."

My heart ached as Madam said the word 'was.' Would I ever escape and teach outside of the jail in the sky again?

Frank walked in front of me and lifted my chin with his finger, making me look into his brown eyes. He smirked. "I bet there's something you could teach me."

Saliva formed in my mouth, and I was seconds away from spitting in his face. I wanted to tell him that I couldn't teach an old dog new tricks. He wasn't worth spending time trying to better because that was what teaching was. I wanted to watch children learn and become smarter, knowing that I impacted them in some way.

"You don't want one more experienced?" Madam wondered.

Please say yes.

Frank's finger slid down my throat and then over the top of my breasts that were spilling from the top of the bra. "No. Erin will do, and if she doesn't, we can get a lot for her. She has a nice body, and many years left to be desired."

Years? I couldn't fathom being a sex slave for years to come. My eyes closed briefly, trying to block out what and who was in front of me.

Madam leaned in and whispered into my ear, "You better not fuck this up. Zell likes you, and I would hate for yourboyfriendto have to watch you get sold and never see you again."

Frank downed the rest of his scotch and then handed the glass to Madam before grabbing my hand and leading me toward the hallway. Just before we crossed the threshold, I turned my head and looked at Ric. Our eyes met, and he had to be thinking what I was thinking.

This was more than just sex.

Chapter Thirteen

Ric

Watching Erin walk out of the room with Frank made me furious. I knew what it was like to sleep with the enemy, and she was getting a taste. I'd figured her time was up and she would have to sleep with a client, but I didn't expect thatclientto be Frank.

I had a gun and could easily take him out. I could even kill Madam and Marcus and Bobby, but then I would go to prison or be on the run from the law my entire life. I didn't want to have to look over my shoulder at every turn.

I wanted to be free.