Page 86 of Free to Judge

“They wouldn’t let me see a doctor.”

A furious rush of breath escapes. Her head drops down as she tries to inhale before gasping, “I need to tell you.”

“About?”

“About the girls.”

“What do you mean?”

“They’re using the club as a hub.”

My body stills as she straddles my legs—whether that’s because she knows I’m not one of them or the intelligence she’s passing along, I’m not entirely certain. But Nerissa’s fingers don’t roam over my chest. Her hips don’t grind down. She leans closer so her breath brushes against my ear.

“There’s a door below the dressing room,” she whispers. “Leads to a basement. They keep girls and their kids there sometimes.Not just the ones who try to get out of Velvet Vice, but ones I’ve never seen before.”

Nerissa looks down quickly before tossing her head back in supposed pleasure. When she leans forward again, she murmurs, “They think I’m deaf in one ear, blind in one eye. I’m not. I can hear and see everything.”

I slip a bill between her fingers—cover—before asking, “How many have gone through?”

“Two tonight. But there’s no set rotation. Some come through just to be cleaned up. Some stay a few days before being sold.” Her head twists, and she lets her hands rest on my shoulders. “It’s worse whenhecomes in.”

“Him who? Sid?”

She shakes her head.

“Jack.” My voice is grim.

“Yes.” Her voice shakes, but she keeps up the act—moving just enough to pass for a show. Just then, she lets out a pained gasp. Her face turns chalk white. She starts to slide off my lap.

My hands reach out to steady her. “What’s wrong? Is this from the last time I was here?”

“No. Chrissi had a turn at me the other day. Said I stole her client.” She twists her head and glares at the body still on the floor. “I’m not sorry she’s dead.”

Just then, the lights catch Sid and Jack looking our way. To play into what’s happening, I lean back on the Chesterfield. “Why are you telling me all this?”

“Because you’re not like them, are you?”

I shake my head imperceptibly.

“Didn’t think so.”

“You took a huge gamble, Nerissa.”

“I’d rather be dead than let one of them touch me again.” My jaw clenches at that pronouncement. I hand her some more money. She slips it into her bra, pulling something out at the same time. “You think no one notices you’re different? That’s why they’re testing you tonight.”

My jaw is a rock from how hard I’ve been grinding my teeth. “They’ll kill you if they find out.”

“They going to kill me anyway,” she says. “Just make the info I gave you count.”

Her fingers graze the back of my neck. I catch the tips and whatever she’s passing to me. It’s an innocent touch, but I’ll still wait to look at it later, lest Jack or Sid see it. “What is it?”

“Names. Places. Things I’ve overheard they think I can’t.”

I suck in a breath and offer her a radiant smile. Finally, some goddamn proof. I murmur, “You did good.” Quickly, I slide the coaster—the proof—inside my jacket pocket where it won’t be visible.

She nods, trembling, and slides off my lap with practiced grace.

As she disappears into the shadows, Jack claps his hands once. “Well?” the old man asks. “She loosen your morals or just your belt?”