“And what if we stay and end up so desperate we slit our wrists, or dead like most of the girls we started this nightmare with.” Taffy shook her head; her twisted locks flew wildly. “No.
this is our time. Thanks to Tya, we have a way out. What we’ve always dreamed of. We can’t let fear stop us. Then Mylandra has won because she’s broken us down so low we’ve given up.”
Taffy gripped her shoulders. “Have you given up, Rissa?”
“No.”
“Good, because I’m not above kicking your ass. It’s time to put on our big girl panties and do what we need to do. You know that deep down, don’t you?”
Rissa nodded. “I know. I’m just terrified. This is all we know. What if we get to America and end up in the same situation, only worse because we have no one to look out for us?”
“It’ll be on our own terms. Don’t you think that’s worth it? We never had a chance here.
There are plenty of opportunities others turn their noses up at. I don’t care if I’m cleaning hotel rooms, scrubbing toilets, or working at a fast food place as long as I live by my rules. You’re strong. We both are. We can do this.”
Rissa took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right, I know it.”
“Promise me you won’t let fear keep you bound, Rissa.”
“I’ll try. I’m not brave like you, Taffy.”
“There are many ways to be brave, Rissa. I’m just more outspoken. Now promise me, no
matter what happens, you won’t let Mylandra win.”
Rissa meet her gaze. “I promise…”
She stepped from the shower filled with guilt. She hadn’t fully kept her promise. Taffy’s had become a fortress she hid in, its patrons, her guards and jesters. As the boss, she could keep herself cut off and slightly aloof from everyone and have her pick of partners for her bed. She wasn’t a whore. Her tastes were selective and always discreet. It allowed her to go through the motions and dip her toe into the water without getting soaked. Colm made her want more.
Wrapping her body in a plush towel, she walked over to the mirror and wiped off the
condensation. The woman peering back at her looked lost and far younger than her thirty-five years. She could practically hear Taffy whispering in her hear, “Don’t you think it’s time you took the rest of your life back?”
Yes, old friend, I believe it is. Everything came out in the wash eventually. Her story was no different. This man knew it and could care less. That had to count for something. He’d already had her body. What he sought went deeper than sex. That’s the scary part. For her, this was uncharted territory. For so long, she’d lived free of real attachment. Thoughts of her meltdown with Demon when she found out about him and Ardy made her cringe. She was missing
something. Denying it wouldn’t change that. She ran her fingers through her wet hair and took a deep breath. Do or die time.
She stepped out of the bathroom, leaving more of the chains that bound behind her. It wasn’t a fix, but a mend, the first step forward after years of stagnation.
* * * *
“It’s done.” She hung up and closed her eyes. Nan had been the same as usual, though they
never talked with any frequency. She’d been the house mother, making sure they had what they needed and always got care. She’d been the only person to genuinely care, or at least seem to.
The thought of that being a lie gutted her.
“Good, now we wait. We have some people who’ll scout next week. Today, we need to get
out of here.”
“What?” Gia stared at him, thrown off by the swift swap. “You know I have to work
tonight.”
“Yeah, babe, I know. That’s why we’re going out now. I’ll get you back home in time.”
“Where are we going?”