Page 48 of Deliverance

"That's the million-dollar question, Zell," Leanne stated. "We don't know whereanyonecomes from."

"Aretheybad people?" Zell wondered.

"You mean Mr. Russo and his son?" Carla asked. Zell nodded. "We'd never seen or met his son before, but we're all almost positive Mr. Russo is a bad guy."

"Why?" Zell whispered.

I motioned for Zell to sit on the edge of my bed. Her head had to be spinning with everything we were telling her, plus whatever had happened in the room with Frank Jr. I grabbed her hand as she sat on the bed. "Zell, there is so much you don't know. Do you think we all do this because we want to?"

She looked around the room as though she'd just met us. She was sheltered, but she had to know all of this wasn't normal. "You don't?"

We snorted with laughter. "I don't think anyone chooses this life," Krissy stated.

"Then why are you here?" Zell questioned.

Before anyone could respond, the sound of Madam's heels clicked down the hallway from the end where the main stairs were. Everyone scattered, going back to their rooms.

"Zell!" Madam yelled as Zell exited my room.

Zell stopped and turned to face her. "Yes, ma'am?"

"I came to check on you. How are you feeling?"

Did she come to check on her really? I didn't believe that one bit. She wanted to know how she did for Frank Jr. since the cameras were off. Madam didn't care about Zell.

"I'm …" She hesitated. Was she going to tell Madam that she didn't have sex with Frank Jr.?

"Your first time can be painful. Was Frankie kind?"

Zell smiled, and whatever went on in that room was a good thing, though I wasn't sure how it could be given he was a Russo. "Yes, he was so nice to me."

"Good. Get some rest. Everything returns to normal in the morning," Madam ordered.

Chapter Nineteen

Ric

"Ric," Uncle Marco greeted.

I hadn't seen him much over the years, and when I did see him, I usually didn't look his way because I was still angry at him for getting me involved in Frank's world.

I lifted my chin from where I sat on the couch.

He grinned when I acknowledged him. "Are yous going to hightail it out of here like yous do every day?"

"I do it every day because I have a fucking job. A job I hate, thanks to you."

He continued for the kitchen. "Yeah, well—"

I stood and followed him. "Well, nothing. You knew what you were doing to me ten years ago."

"I did it to help yous."

"Help me?" I snorted. "How the fuck does working for Frank Russo help me?"

Uncle Marco started to pour himself a cup of coffee. "Got yous off the couch, didn't it?"

I charged him, grabbing his collar and throwing him against the wall. "You made me a criminal," I seethed.