Page 30 of Tortured Souls
“Busy, but nothing we can’t handle,” I assure him, but something tells me he didn’t ask me in here to ask about the night.
“Right. You and Chastity are the best. I never worry about you two.” He begins to rub his hands together, a nervous habit I’ve picked up on since working here. He’s stalling, but for what reason, I’m not sure.
“What is it, Van? Whatever it is, you can tell me.” I break the silence that’s built between us. Something tells me this isn’t going to be good.
“Can’t hide anything from you, Sky.” Inhaling a deep breath, he sits up straighter in his chair and drops a bomb on me.
“I’m selling the club.” The air around me seems to still, the world stopping its orbit for a split moment as his words hit me hard. My apartment, my basement, my garbage day routine disposing of bodies, my lifeline, my safe space. My whole existence is this club, and it’s about to be sold?
“What—what does that mean?” I stutter over my words; my brain is spinning with so many unanswered questions.
“Well, Laura and I want to retire and start traveling, since Molly and Daisy are in school now. We thought this would be the perfect time to venture off.” I understand his reasoning. I really do, but what am I going to do? Will I have to move out? How will I continue eliminating the pigs from my past? I sound selfish in my head, but this is my life, and a huge fucking rock was just thrown into the middle of it.
“We haven’t found a buyer yet; we’ve only just begun talking with a realtor. But I wanted to let you know early. I’m so sorry, Sky. I know this is not what you wanted to hear today, but I’m not sure what the new owner will want to do with the apartment, and I just want you to be prepared.”
I give him a gentle smile; I can’t be mad at him for wanting to live his life. He’s given me so much already. I can’t allow him to feel guilty about me just because he wants to enjoy retirement with his wife.
“I’m happy for you, Van. You and Laura should do what makes you both happy. Don’t worry about me, please. I’m truly happy for you both.” I stand from my chair and lift my thumb back towards the door.
“I have to get back to it. Thank you, Van, for everything.” I leave before the threat of tears spill from my eyes, and I can already feel them brewing. I leave his office before he can say anything and instantly head to the bathroom. Bursting through the door, I make my way to the sink, needing to calm my nerves. Turning on the faucet, I put my hands under the chilly water and lift my cold palms to the back of my neck. Taking a few deep breaths, I lock eyes with myself in the mirror.
You’ve got this, Sky. You’ll find an apartment you can afford, and before he sells, you can take out the rest of your list. You have five more people to knock off. You’ve got this.
Pulling myself together, I stand to my full height and inhale another deep breath. I can do this. I leave the restroom and head back to the bar and immediately start helping Chastity with the new rush of customers lining the bar. I let the rush clear my head and block the unknown from creeping in and threatening to take me under. I’ve battled worse scenarios. I can handle this little hiccup. I know I can.
Two hours later, my target shows up right as planned. A man who’s played a role in my past by gifting me more of the trauma I hold on to every day. Edmund Ray is one of this world’s dirtiest, nastiest, scumbags that walks this earth, and I have to hold back a gag as I watch him flirt with a very uninterested woman at the end of my bar. Lacy, one of the local escorts, is currently keeping him busy until the rest of the bar quiets down for the night. Ipaid her a hefty sum for her services tonight, but nothing where she has to get naked for this shit stain. I wouldn’t torture her like that. All I needed was for her to bring him here and talk with him until the club closed, which is in the next twenty minutes.
When I got wind that Edmund was in Golden Heights for a videography job, thanks to the dancers in the club spilling the tea for me, I couldn’t believe that fate was on my side for once. After I warned all the girls who were interested in being a part of the job Edmund had been advertising, most of the girls backed out. A few had stated they really needed the money. I couldn’t do anything about their decision except warn them to be safe and aware of their surroundings. Sex work is dangerous enough, but throw in a man like Edmund, who has no ethical boundaries when it comes to filming his videos, and the word dangerous doesn’t even begin to describe the situation. He’s manipulative and persuasive, and when you’re a sex worker already, the money he uses to entice you is enough for you to agree to anything.
Lacy gives me a look that screams,help me. After Van dropped the bomb about needing to sell the club, I thanked the heavens I already had this evening planned. I need to get this list done before I run out of time. My kill list houses the names of all those who’ve played a part in fucking up my head since I was a child. Lacy met up with Edmund at a spot he’s been frequenting to recruit women. A small rundown, hole-in-the-wall bar called Gators. It’s where all the lowlifes, criminals, and scum of the earth go to talk about how amazing they all are. I watch Lacy and give her a reassuring smile for following through for me, even though I did pay her for her service.
“Alright, you two. It’s closing time. Time to head out.” Lacy looks at me, panicked, as if she truly has to leave with him, but I give her a quick nod of my head and she understands. She quickly stands and heads out the door. Edmund, not in the leastbit interested in following her out, leans against the bar. He’s drunk, like piss drunk, and I’m sure he’s seeing three of me right now.
The club is almost empty. The only people left are the customers currently heading to the door, and the downstairs bartender who shouts up to me to ask if I’m good. I give him a thumbs up from where I stand. He nods then heads to Van’s office with his register in hand to count out.
“You need help with this one, love?” he asks me as he passes the almost passed out guy on my bar. I give him a shake of my head and assure him I can handle him. Oh, I can handle him, straight to the basement.
I step out from behind the bar and make my way over to Edmund, who looks like he may have already fallen asleep. I grab his shoulders tightly, trying to help him stand.
“Alright, you. Time to go.” He stands on very wobbly legs, and I have to practically carry him to the elevator. After I toss his drunk ass in, I hit the button for the basement, a smile on my face from how fucking easy this is. The moment the doors open back up, I help Edmund to the chair in the middle of the room. He sits for me, or rather falls into the chair with a loud thump. He groans but doesn’t fight me as I start tying his sorry ass to the chair. Finally, securing a gag around his mouth, I pat his cheek as his head falls back, and he passes out completely.
“That will hold you for a while,” I say to him, even though he can’t fucking hear me, and I head back up to the bar. I finish cleaning my area, and once I’ve given my register drawer to Van, he asks me again if I’m okay, and I tell him I will be just fine. Giving me a not so convincing smile, Van tells me good night and leaves for the night. Just in time for me to play.
The club is quiet, and the lights are off as I head up to my apartment to change clothes before I head downstairs. While in the elevator, I pull out my phone and notice a text from Saxon.
Saxon:
Can’t stop thinking of your perfect pussy dripping all over my lips.
Ever the romantic. My cheeks do, however, blush at his crudeness. I smile as I type out my response.
Me:
If you leave her be for too long, she’ll start to miss that tongue of yours.
I pocket my cell, hoping that it doesn’t sound too needy, but at the moment, I need to focus. I have a man that’s due to meet the grim reaper tonight, and I don’t want him to be late.
The elevators open, and I see Edmund is still very much passed out. Good, this gives me time to prepare. I go through my routine of setting up the plastic drop cloths, laying them out on the floor and covering the walls so no blood leaks through. Just as I’m laying out the tools I’ve stashed behind a piece of loose drywall, I hear Edmund moaning, as if he’s finally waking up.Perfect timing, my friend.Time for some fun.