“Maybe start selling off some of that rich-girl jewelry.”
I nod, eagerly reaching up and taking off the necklace that has zero emotional attachment for me, especially since I think my dad got it for me instead of actually being there for the birthday.
“Here!” I choke out. “Take this!”
Lorenzo snickers, rolling his eyes as he snatches it from my hand and peers at it.
“What is this shit even worth? Is this Tiffany’s?”
I nod. “Yeah! And five thousand, I think.”
He grins at his two goons before he starts to crack up.
“Oh, wow, a whole five-grand? Damn, girl!” He chuckles. “You got sixty more of those somewhere?’
I swallow and shake my head.
“You know,” Lorenzo suddenly says, his eyes sliding over me as he licks his lips.
“I do take all kinds of payment.”
I freeze, something cold piercing into me as he suddenly steps even closer to me. My stomach twists, and bile rises in my throat.
“Fuck do you have a pretty mouth,” Lorenzo hisses, making me feel sick.
“I bet you drive the boys crazy with those lips.” He chuckles. “Shit, girl, those are prime DSLs right there.” He grins and leans in close. “That’s ‘dick sucking lips,’ if you didn’t know.
I say nothing, the nausea building inside of me as I look away from him, my pulse thundering in my ears.
“I would just love to feel those things wrapped around my dick, sweetheart.”
I want to throw up, and I think I actually might.
“I mean,” Lorenzo shrugs. “That’d be worth, what, a couple hundred bucks?” He snickers at his guys. “Let’s be generous and say three-hundred.”
He grins. “And you owe three-hundred-grand? Shit, I’d take a thousand blowjobs with those lips.”
All three of them crack up, and when he moves in closer and reaches up to cup my cheek with his disgusting hand, I shrivel back.
“Leave me alone!” I manage to shriek before one of the goons clamps a hand over my mouth.
Lorenzo laughs, shaking his head.
“Aww, Brynn. I’m just fuckin’ with you, rich-girl.” He’s grinning at me, but it slowly fades as a shadow creeps over his face.
“But I will get what I’m owed. You don’t want to dance? Fuck it, fine. But that money is coming back to me one way or another. We’ll be in touch.”
He nods at his guys, who let go of my arms. I’m shaking, my stomach wrapped around itself as I stand there trying not to cry or scream. Lorenzo grins at me as they turn and walk away into the night. I stand there behind the dumpster, my skin crawling and my whole body trembling as I watch them walk all the way to a parked car and get in. And it’s not until it drives away that I turn, and I run.
And I don’t stop running until I get to the big Tudor house. The tears come as I start to pound on the door, and by the time Colton yanks it open, I’m sobbing. His eyes blaze as he lunges for me, scooping me into his arms and pulling me tight to his chest as I cry into him.
“I’ve got you,” he growls quietly, stroking my back as I bury my face in his chest.
“I’ve got you, Brynn.”
His voice and his hands sooth me, and I cling to him as he picks me up and carries me inside, shutting the door behind us. He cradles me in his arms, saying nothing and asking no questions as he carries me into his study and sits on one of his comfy, wing-backed chairs. I cling to him, pushing my face back against his chest again and trying to collect myself as he strokes my back and one of my arms. He leans down, and when I feel him kiss the top of my head tenderly, my pulse quickens.
And slowly, the tears fade as the heat rises inside.