Page 47 of Deliverance

Frank started for the line, and I thought he was going to reach for me. Instead, he held out his hand for Clarissa. I drew my head back slightly and looked at Clarissa as she looked at me and grabbed Frank's hand. She had to have been as confused as I was because Frank always came for me.

Was my time almost up?

* * *

After the Franks left, Zell had to clean the room she’d used, and the one Clarissa had used with Frank. The entire time, the girls and I waited in my room for her to come in so we could make sure she was okay. I thought the first time with Frank was nerve-wracking, but I couldn't imagine having my first time ever with the boss's son. I didn't think Zell knew that Frank was the boss. She had never been around when he showed up, so I wasn't sure she understood how important it would be.

Finally, Zell came to my room.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, rushing to her, inspecting her.

Krissy reached out her hands toward Zell. "I got you some aspirin and water."

"I drew you a bath," Tifarah stated.

Zell glanced at the camera in the corner of my room. "Madam wasn't mad."

I furrowed her brow. "Why would she be mad?"

Zell lowered her voice. "Because she's going to know we didn't have sex."

I drew my head back. They didn't have sex? Frank was going to be pissed.

"You didn't?" Carla asked.

Zell shook her head and replied, still in a low voice, "No, he didn't want to."

"Why are you whispering?" Clarissa questioned.

"Because of the cameras."

"They don't have audio," Tifarah stated.

"They don't?"

Tifarah shook her head. "No, just video."

"Oh. Well, I don't understand why she isn't mad since I didn't have sex with Frankie."

"She won't find out," Clarissa advised.

Everyone turned toward Clarissa, and I asked, "What do you mean?" There was no doubt that Frank was going to tell Madam, and then Madam would fly off the handle.

"Mr. Russo reminded her to shut off the cameras before he went in with me."

"And did she?" Leanne questioned.

Clarissa shrugged. "I don't know for sure, but you know if Mr. Russo ever found out, he would be pissed."

"Why?" Zell asked. "Who are they?"

The girls all looked at each other, and then I lied, "We aren't one hundred percent sure, but Mr. Russo and Madam are close. He supplies the muscle and also brings in clients." I knew Madam had been married to Frank's dead brother, but none of the ladies knew about the night that Ric and Madam had tried to take me back to the warehouse."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?"

"The muscle?" Zell questioned.

I shrugged slightly. "You know, Tyler, Ricardo, Marcus, and the others who have been here over the years."

"Oh," Zell breathed. "How does he find those guys?"