Page 49 of Scarred in Silence

This is the Club Muse location in Utah. It’s their biggest club, and they have a lot of restricted access areas. I’ve only been here once for a burlesque show. What the fuck does Club Muse have to do with Sex Trafficking?

Guilt swarms around me, threatening to steal the air from my lungs. I have supported the business for so long. Silas is a good guy. Isn’t he? Pressure builds behind my eyes, but I can’t cry. Not now.

The song “Often” by the Weeknd filters throughout the room. I used to love this song. Now it will bring me nothing but disgust.

The bright lights warm my cold skin. I stand tall and plaster a fake smile on my face. I’ll be damned if Miles gets to buy me.

“Welcome to the stage, Lot Forty-Seven. She may not have virgin flesh, but she bites. She bleeds. And she obeys. An addict, yes, but pretty enough to fix.”

My blood turns to lava at his words. I am not an addict. I just needed to be numb. I can stop the drugs whenever I want. I’m loyal to Lucien.

“We will start the bidding at ten thousand.”

My ears ring as he continues the bidding. I zone out, unable to hear the offers or see the people offering thousands of dollars to use me as their whore.

The sound of applause breaks me from my trance. I look up and see everyone clapping. There are maybe 20 people here to bid. Fuck.

The sound of chatter and drinks clanking together has me ready to cut off my ears. Fucking disgusting.

I turn around to see Nicolette standing in the doorway. Thereis nothing I can do. Not yet. I’m too smart to fall into her trap. If I try to run, I’ll end up with Miles. That’s the last thing I want to do.

I walk back into the room to meet Nicolette. The air sends a shiver down my spine and sets my nerves on end.

“You did well. Ninety thousand dollars.”

She looks me up and down.

“I’m surprised we got more than twenty thousand for you.”

She rolls her eyes.

My anger is still rising. I feel nauseous from the waves of adrenaline pumping through my veins.

“Victor will be up to claim you shortly.”

She turns and exits the room. Enveloping me in the stale air.

I can’t believe Club Muse has been a front for sex trafficking. I need to tell Lucien. They could bring the whole business to a halt. I wonder how many people I know who are involved.

The door creaks open, and I am met with a tall, muscular figure. He has hair similar to Lucien’s. He doesn’t have the same eyes, though. His eyes are nearly black. He could eat me alive, and still not be satisfied. His tattoos snake up his arms underneath his plain t-shirt.

He looks simple. I wonder how fast he can run. I bet I’m faster.

He holds out his hand, “Victor,” he states in a charming, low voice.

I hold my hand out, “Lot forty-seven,” I say sarcastically.

He chuckles.

He holds out a bag and drops it on the floor between us.

“Change.”

“W-what?”

“I said, change.” His tone is bitter.

I open the bag to see that he has clothes for me. Normal fucking clothes.