Page 56 of High Rise Secrets
“Hi, Clive, what can I do for you?”
“Ethan, we’ve received some news today about a girl whom you’ve been seeing, and I wanted to talk to you about it.”
I give a resounding sigh. “We broke up, and she gave her notice. No need to drag me down memory lane, Clive.”
“Are you aware she was one of Vince Perelli’s girls at the strip club and has slept with a lot of big, potential clients? Clients we have been trying to get for some time?”
Where the fuck is he going with this?“I’m aware she was a stripper. She hasn’t done that in a long time, but I’m aware of her past.”
Vince Perelli was killed almost ten years ago and was part of a lot of dirty business here in Atlanta. The rumor was he was big in the mafia and involved in things such as money laundering, sex trafficking, and murder.
Sex trafficking. Was Addy trafficked?Did I fuck a girl who had no other choice? My mind starts racing as I try to think back to when I met her. She was one of the highlights of the show. Vince was the owner ofThe Devil’s Playground. I remember Dad talking about him like they were such great friends, how he was such a stand-up guy. There were four girls that he called his little birdies.
Jesus.
Fucking.
Christ.
Addison, Eden, Everleigh, and Magnolia were the girls—his little birdies. He used those girls to get ahead. I was so young at the time; I couldn’t even see what was right in front of me. She seemed so willing and eager.Of course, she was eager. She was probably trained to be like that.I stand from the desk suddenly, and my head spins.
Clive hums through the receiver, and I completely forgot he was still there. I want to reach through the phone and strangle him. “Get her back working forEmulation.”
I’m stunned by his response. I’m not even sure how to respond to him. He wants me to get her back here so we can what, exploit sex from her to gain clients? Up until this exact moment, I never realized how horrible and corrupt this company truly was. I knew there were clients we entertained who weren’t exactly on the straight and narrow, but this crosses so many lines.
“No.”
He sighs. “There’s a board meeting on Monday, and if you don’t have her back with the company, willing to help procure some of these high-profile clients, I can’t secure your spot as CEO. Think about it. I’m sure you’ll make the right choice.”
The phone disconnects, and I stand there, staring at the wall. The only way I can save my ass at this company is if I pimp out my ex-girlfriend and become no better than the people who shaped her past. Up until this moment, I never fully understood the type of situation she was thrust into, but now I do. I’ll be damned if I put her back there.
* * *
Pulling into the graveyard,I follow the same path we took only a week ago.Was it really only a week ago we were here?It seems like forever ago, and at the same time, like no time has passed at all. I slow the car and park a short distance away from the spot where Addison cried her eyes out, but I refuse to get out.
She’s here. I watch her from a distance. She’s so beautiful sitting on the grass in front of the headstones that I pull my phone out to snap a picture of her. Her dark hair is piled high in a messy bun on top of her head, and she has on a pair of yoga pants and a fitted t-shirt. As she sits cross-legged, I watch her lips move, talking to her family.
My body is drawn to her, and I want to get out to wrap her in my arms, but she needs this time. I’m afraid if I try to push her, she will push back, and then I will lose her for good.
I can’t.
I won’t lose her.
So, I wait patiently in my car until she finally stands, pulls a few weeds out of the ground around the light stones, and turns her back to me to get into her car. When she drives off, I get out and take over the spot she was just occupying.
Addison had brought some fresh flowers with her and laid them down at the gravesite. I didn’t want to show up empty-handed, so I made sure to get a few premade ones from Mrs. Robinson at the flower shop. She beamed when I walked into the store this morning.
I place the flowers down in front of the graves and read the dates again. Her parents were only in their late forties when they perished, and her brother was only fifteen. It’s not fair that they were taken from her so early. I stand there and stare for a few minutes before I finally decide I should say something.
“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Snyder, and Oliver. I’m sure Addison has told you everything that happened between us and how I royally fu—messed up things between us. I’m the biggest idiot in the world, and I don’t deserve her.” I sigh and look up at the sky. “I know I don’t,” I murmur as I shake my head.
“I know she needs time to heal, but I want you to know I’m going to do right by her. Addison has become an amazing, strong woman. You would be so proud of her and everything she has accomplished. She’s a hard worker, and damn is she smart as a whip. She busted her ass to get her degree and always pushes the envelope.
“I’m going to win her back, and then I’m going to ask her to marry me. It might take me another ten years, but I’m willing to wait for her. She’s it for me. I want you to know that. She is my happily ever after. Then, when I win her back, I’m going to be here with a ring to show you.”
Chapter 37
Addison