I’m the only one of the girls who didn’t accept straight away that there was no way out. Then again I was the only one of the girls who fought because I had a dream once. My life was never supposed to end up like this. I sing. I’m a singer. I got a part in a new show in the Oak Theatre on Main street, one of Chicago’s finest.
I actually got the part singing as the second lead actress in their Musical Blood Stole the Heart. I’ve always wanted to sing on Broadway and that was the first step.
Three months ago I got the part and was called in to sign the contract so I could start rehearsals. I went to bed that night and when I woke up I was here. To the owners of the show, it looked like I never turned up so I must have turned the offer down. They didn’t know I never made it because my father sold me to the devil.
Eyes follow me as I walk into the elevator to carry me up to the VIP Lounge. I walk, press the button, and wait to go up. My breath still the whole time, thoughts of what will happen to me tonight race through my mind just as bad as that first night.
I call it rape. When you’re dragged into a bedroom against your will and two men force themselves on you, beating you and laughing as you cry because they’re inside you, it’s fucking rape.
The nights that followed were pretty much the same. Then I learned that if I wanted to live I’d have to play nice and behave.
I start to shake the higher I get and by the time I reach the top floor, I’m a mess. The elevator bell dings and I think.
I think…
I can’t do this. I don’t know how I’m supposed to. I don’t know what I did in life to deserve this.
My mother is most certainly turning in her grave, screaming in the heavens for mercy on my soul. When she taught me to sing and play the piano it wasn’t for this.
Not for this and I don’t know what’s happening but I don’t think there’s going to be any mercy for me.
Gina thinks I’ll die if I try to escape again, that Lucca will kill me, but… what she never realized was that this is death. Every night I walk out here to be someone’s whore I die slowly. My attempts to escape were trying to live.
The doors slide open and I walk out but I’m not paying attention.
I walk straight into a wall, except I was certain there was no wall there.
I was right. There isn’t.
Strong arms steady me as I recoil and almost fall. Strong steady arms that belong to a tall, tall, well-muscled man, with a face like a fairytale prince. He has olive skin, slick black hair, and that alluring Mediterranean look I’ve seen on most of the Italian men that frequent the club.
Stormy blue eyes stare back at me gazing like he’s looking into my soul. He’s beautiful but … I know what kind of man he is just from the dangerous look in his eyes and the power rippling off him in waves.
Hes a mobster and not just any old mobster. There’s a sense of authority in his presence. The type a leader would exude. The darkness in this man’s eyes lends information about his soul, telling me there’s nothing there.
“I’m so sorry,” I rasp gathering my composure.
I try to step out of his grasp but he holds me. His gaze clings to mine and he searches my eyes making my breath still in response.
God… please don’t tell me I’ve landed myself in more trouble. My heart can’t take it.
This is a place where you could die just for looking at someone the wrong way. Who knows what could happen for bumping into a man like this.
“You should be more careful Bellezza,” he says and I find myself unable to pull away from his intense gaze, and the rich deep timbre of his voice. Both hook me along with something I definitely don’t expect to feel here, not this place.
Attraction.
He releases me the second the word floats into my mind like he heard the forbidden thought I just had.
“I’m sorry,” I apologize again and step back, away from him.
His gaze rakes boldly over my body in this flimsy babydoll negligée. His eyes linger on my breasts and climb back up to meet my terrified stare.
“No worries,” he answers and the corners of his lips turn up into a smooth sexy smile.
Quickly, I draw in a breath and continue on my way. I feel his eyes on me though with every step I take. I look back at him when I get to the end of the hall, and his eyes hold a promise that we’ll meet again.
I’m not sure whether I should be worried about that. In a place like this, you should always be worried about something, and if he’s here he’s exactly like everyone else. All evil bastards who exist to steal your soul.