Page 42 of Deliverance

"What's going on in here?"

I looked up to see Frank in the doorway.

Chapter Sixteen

Erin

"Frank!" Madam gasped, the hand without a gun moving to her chest. "What are you doing here?"

"Answer me first, Saffron. What the fuck is going on in here?"

"Erin's time is up."

I glanced up at Ric. How was he doing this to me? After everything we'd been through, after our long talks, after agreeing to an escape plan when Zell turns eighteen. How could he take me to the warehouse to be sold? How could he betray me?

Frank looked from Madam to Ric's hand that was wrapped around my wrist. "And why is that?"

"She's been here for five years. That's the max."

"When they're fucking the clients, Saffron." Frank walked the few steps to me and cupped my cheek. Ric didn't let go of my arm. "But she's only fucking me, aren't you, sweetheart?"

"Yes," I whispered.

"And why is that, Frank?" Madam questioned. "Why have you told me to not let Erin be chosen? You can have any of the girls. Why her?"

"I don't need to explain myself to you, Saffron. This is my whorehouse, my money, my girls. Don't forget you only married into this family. I can take it all away with the snap of my fucking fingers. Do I make myself clear?"

Saffron glared at Frank before responding, "Krystal."

"Good. Let's go." He motioned for me to go to him, and Ric dropped his grasp on me.

"If you try to pull this shit again"—he pointed a finger in Madam's face—"I'll sellyou."

Frank grabbed my hand, and just before Ric was out of sight, I looked over my shoulder and whispered, "Fuck you."

* * *

"I'm sorry about tonight," Frank said as he stepped into his slacks. I'd never heard him apologize before. In the five years I’d been at the penthouse, he would show up, screw me, and then leave.

I tied my robe. "Thank you for stopping it."

"It won't happen again."

I smiled warmly at him. "Okay." Frank was almost dressed when I couldn't hold in my question any longer. "Mr. Russo, whydoyou only sleep with me?"

He straightened his tie as he thought about his answer. "I'm a man of many secrets, Erin, and that's not one I'm willing to share."

"Oh," I replied.

He walked to the door and opened it. "Just know that if you weren't a teacher, you'd be at the warehouse right now."

* * *

I didn't sleep a wink that night. I tossed and turned, thinking about Ric betraying me and Frank saying he wouldn't have helped me if I wasn't a teacher. I didn't know what that meant. If he had a soft spot for teachers, why would he kidnap them in the first place?

The next morning, I made sure to wake up early to go down to the gym. Ric was at the bench press, and my steps didn't falter as I strode toward him. He sat up when he noticed me coming, and without stopping, I pushed him as hard as I could. He fell backward, landing on his ass.

"How fucking dare you!" I yelled.