by Holt, Leah
“What's wrong?”
Shrugging a shoulder, I spoke to the floor. “Nothing.”
“Something's wrong, you're shaking like a damn leaf. Tell me what it is.”
Letting out a weighted breath, I mustered up the strength to be honest and ask the question that was in my head. “Why am I here for this? You never let me stay up here, you always keep me downstairs. Why now?”
“Well,” he said, stepping over to me and dropping to his haunches. “You're almost sixteen, it's time for you to see what your life is going to be, what I'm going to need you for. I haven't been teaching you obedience for nothing, Berlin, there's a reason. You're going to be my masterpiece, my perfect creation.”
His masterpiece?
My eyes scanned his face, trying to figure out why he was being so open with me and what the hell that meant. Most of my questions went unanswered, and if I tried to pry too deep, the only answer I would get was a back hand across the face.
Not today. Today he was willing to actually hear me, to indulge me with a privileged answer. He answered me as if I deserved such clarity for what was about to happen. And I was sadly grateful for his kindness, even if this open dialogue between us wouldn't last.
“What does that mean?” Scrunching my brows, I stopped moving my body, planting my feet into the floor. “I know what you are, I know what you do. I'm not fucking stupid.”
“Watch the mouth,” he snapped, holding up a finger to my face. “It makes a woman look cheap if she swears. And my women aren't cheap.” Crooking his jaw, he glared at me. “Things are going to change, Berlin, not yet, but soon. And men like the ones that are coming, they're going to be around. You need to be around them, you need to understand how to behave with them. That's why you're up here. Watch Val, you'll see.”
The doorbell rang, causing Virgo to tip his head and look back over his shoulder. Lifting a finger to his lips as he twisted back in my direction, he gave me a soft smile. “Remember, no talking, not unless I tell you it's okay. And absolutely no looking at them. That's the most important thing right now, do not fuck it up.”
“I got it, I won't do anything.” My tone was short, layered with teenage annoyance.
Virgo shot me a look, one that said, 'Don't test me, I'm not going to tell you again.'
Sometimes, I just couldn't help it. In the past when I was younger, I had more wiggle room. But his reigns had lost slack, Virgo wasn't letting me step out of line as much.
He had expectations for me, rules that he was holding over my head that just didn't seem to fit. I wasn't allowed to talk anymore unless permitted. I could only sit if he told me I could, I could only eat when he was finished.
Questions of why he was putting those rules on me had been brewing in my head for some time, but I had a feeling I might just get some unspoken answers today.
Jerking my eyes back to the floor, he whispered. “Good girl.” Standing up, he adjusted the jacket on his suit and took his seat at the table.
From the corner of my eyes, I watched his face fall flat and his back go rigid as he laid his palms down. There was a change in Virgo, it was subtle, but I could see it. He was molting what was left of his human shell for something else.
The look in his eyes was almost unrecognizable. I thought I had seen the worst in him, but right then, I knew I had barely grazed the surface.
The silence around us was deafening, causing the hair on my neck to bristle. I waited quietly, anxiously aware that this meeting was something I could never really have prepared for.
I did my best to not look, but I couldn't stop the curiosity. Under hooded lids, I peered up, carefully keeping my head in the same position.
Val, a woman who I had only started to see recently, guided three men into the room. That happened often, women would come and go, some would stay for months, while others wouldn't be there for very long.
I knew what had happened to one girl, but that wasn't something I liked thinking about. Regardless, these girls were his in every sense of the word. The girls waited on him hand and foot, never uttering a word. They looked like mute robots, moving around on autopilot.
Virgo stood up, holding out his arms to great his guests. “Gentlemen, welcome.”
The woman curled her feet beneath her as she took a spot on the floor beside Virgo. She didn't need directions, she knew what he expected. Keeping her eyes on her hands, she nervously fiddled with her fingers.
She looks so scared.
“Virgo, finally we meet.” A tall, slender man said, with shoulder length blond hair, pulled back into a low ponytail. Holding out his hand, Virgo took it and gave it a firm shake. The man took a step back, pointing to the guy at his side. “This is Fior.” Pausing, he moved his hand to the other man. “And this is Machi.”
“Yes, Hans told me you'd be bringing them. Please, sit,” Virgo said, his eyes watching the men cautiously. Opening the small box, he pulled out a cigar. “Ethan?” he asked, twisting the box in the man's direction. “They're the best money can buy.” Running the cigar under his nose, he inhaled a deep breath.
“We've been told money can buy a lot of things.” Ethan plucked a cigar from the box, flashing his brows at Virgo. “May I?”
Waving his hand, Virgo nodded. “Of course.”
Ethan moved the box down the table and the other two men took out a cigar for themselves. Lighting the tip, Virgo passed the flame so the men could light theirs.
“So,” he said, taking a heavy pull on the end. “I hear your boss is looking for. . .” His hand circled the air as he looked for the right word to use. “New merchandise.”
“That's right. Sylvan wants to try and take his business to the next level. From what I hear, you're the man to speak to.”
“Hans told you a little about what I deal in, did he?”
“He did.”
Glancing around the table, my eyes connected with the man on the end. Darting my eyes back into my lap, I didn't dare move. I didn't even blink because of the fear I felt when our eyes met.
It wasn't just that I had disobeyed Virgo's orders to not look at anyone, it was something else, a feeling that zipped from head to toe in that single second of eye contact.
There was something in his gaze, a depth I couldn't ignore, a power I couldn't place. He wasn't heading the conversation, he wasn't involved in planning any of the details of that meeting; and yet, it felt like he controlled all of it.
He had jet black hair and olive colored skin, with eyes as dark as night. Splaying an open palm on the table, he tapped a single finger softly as he relaxed back in his chair.
I could still feel his eyes on me, boring a hole into the top of my head. It felt like he was studying me, trying to figure out who I was and what purpose I had.
Virgo and Ethan were chatting away, their voices muffled, each word blurring together in my ears as I felt my body warm and the air grow dense from the nerves coming to life inside me.
That man made me more nervous than Virgo.
Machi cleared his throat, leaning forward and pointing at me. “How old are you little girl?”
I didn't answer, keeping my lips tightly sealed.
Virgo stopped speaking, his mouth hanging partially open as his jaw clicked. Glancing at me over his shoulder, he turned back to Machi. “She'll be sixteen in four months.”
My anniversary. . . He gifted me a new birthday, it was the day I came into his hands. It didn't matter that I had an actual birthday and had turned sixteen two months ago; in his eyes, I wasn't born until the very moment I became his.
“I wasn't asking you, I was asking her,” Machi said sternly, puffing up his chest as he spoke. “How old are you girl?” he asked again, his voice firm, making my stomach clench with fear.
But I still didn't answer.
Virgo let out a grunt as he twisted in his chair. “Answer him.”
With my eyes on my hands, my voice was low and delicate. “Fif—fifteen.” I lied, giving him the age Virgo considered me.
<
br /> “There,” Virgo jumped in, his tone annoyed but polite. “Can we continue with our business now?”
Peeking up at Machi, I watched him stroke his jaw, glaring down the table. “Why is she here?”
“Because I want her to be.” Virgo veered his stare as his lips thinned. “You got a problem with that?” Any kindness in his voice had disappeared.
Machi's jaw rocked back and forth, his teeth grinding down hard. “We don't deal in children.”
“And this one isn't for sale, so there shouldn't be a problem, should there?”
Sale?
The word hung in my head for what seemed like an eternity as my mind tried to package it in a way that made sense.
What's for sale?
Women. . . Are women for sale?
“Is she yours? Daughter? Niece?”
“Neither.”
“And her parents?”
Shrugging a shoulder, Virgo shook his head. “It's none of your fucking business.” Furrowing his brows, Virgo glanced between Machi and Ethan. “Are you a cop? Did you bring a fucking cop to my home, Ethan?”
“No,” he said eagerly, his mouth drawing taut. “Machi, you're prying where you shouldn't be.”
“I'm just curious. Is there something wrong with being curious?” A thin smirk rested on his lips as he seemed to take pleasure in making Virgo uncomfortable. “She just looks so sad, too sad for a teenager.”
“Did you ever think the sadness you see is really just a well disciplined child? My roll had to change drastically when she got here, neither one of us expected this.”
My skin buzzed with hate as he sat there and acted like I was some child abandoned by horrible circumstances. I wanted to jump to my feet and scream that he had destroyed me, I wanted to beg these men to save me from my captor.
But he said they're not nice men. . . They're here to talk about buying women, Berlin!
That should tell you enough.
“Is that so?” Tilting his head, his eyes threw grenades across the table at Virgo. “You're full of shit. How can we trust you if you lie to us?”
“What goes on in my life is none of your fucking business.” Cocking his head, Virgo snarled. “Ethan, what the fuck is this shit? I'll end this whole thing right now if you can't keep your dog on his leash.”
“Dog?” Machi growled, his body stiffening, muscles flexing into stone.
Ethan held up his hands, bouncing them in the air to settle the testosterone that was clearly starting to take over. “Gentlemen, gentlemen, this is not what we're here for.” Dancing his eyes between them, he stopped on Virgo. “What Machi is trying to say is that we need to be cautious. Some of our clients are high-end, they're already taking a huge risk making this type of purchase. We don't need anything else to draw attention on us or them.” Tapping the long ash off the end of his cigar, he smiled big. “We're putting our faith in you, and we want to make sure the product is worth our efforts. Sylvan won't settle for anything less, we need top of the line.”
“But not children, no fucking children.”
Virgo and Machi were staring at each other, their pupils as small as pinpricks as if they were having a silent battle. Machi balled his fists, his knuckles turning bright white as he bared his teeth.
“Look, you came to me for a reason,” Virgo finally said, his voice low and firm. “I won't deal with any bullshit, and I certainly won't deal with some asshole that I don't know, coming into my home and questioning me.”
“Of course, Machi is sorry.” Ethan cocked his head and looked at Machi. “Apologize to the man, you're disrespecting him in his own home.”
“Fuck that, I won't apologize for shit.” Leaning back, he folded his arms across his chest. “You brought me because Sylvan respects my judgment. I don't think we need this shit. Foreign women, who might carry some shit we're not aware of—is that what Sylvan really wants? At least we know what our girls have before we do anything. This is a risk, Ethan, a huge risk. It's like finding out your puppy is sick after you already bought it from the pet store.”
Ethan's face tensed as he spoke through clenched teeth. “This is not the time nor the place, Machi. This is what Sylvan wants, so this is what we're doing.”
“Did you forget about the Russian girl ? How do we know she didn't come from this prick?”
Virgo slammed his fist down, pushing out his voice across the table. “I don't deal in Russian whores.” Taking in a deep breath, he ran flat palms down the front of his suit. “Look, I can get you what you want, and it won't be shit. My girls are top of the line.” Slipping his hand down Val's head, a devious smile spread across his face. “Sylvan knows this, which is why he sent you to me.” Bouncing a hand in the air, he rested back in his seat. “Gentlemen, I'm willing to do this deal, I'm willing to take a risk on this, because I think it can work for all of us. But I won't tolerate any bullshit.”
“Understood,” Ethan said, glancing back at Machi. “Do you think you can shut your fucking mouth, Machi?”
“As long as I don't see anyone under the age of eighteen, we won't have an issue. We're all aware of the danger in that, right?” Arching a brow, Machi peered at Virgo, bringing his chest right against the edge of the table.
“Do I look like a fool?” Virgo asked.
“Well, there is a fifteen year old girl sitting right behind you. So, you tell me.”
“She's none of your fucking concern. I won't tell you that again.”
Machi flicked his eyes to me, but this time I didn't look away. His face had softened, as if he was hoping I could read his mind. He looked like he wanted to say more to me, but he didn't, simply nodding his head as his eyes floated back to Virgo.
“Can we get down to business now?” Ethan asked as he smoked his cigar.
The two talked numbers, going back and forth until they both seemed satisfied with the end results. I sat in shock, fully aware that the man I had been living with wasn't just hiring prostitutes for himself or holding women against their will. . .
He was selling them like livestock.
“I'll be in touch soon.” Virgo said with a smile as he stood up and shook Ethan's hand. “Let me walk you out.” Looking back at me, he nodded his head. “Come, my sweet child.”
Standing up, I followed a little behind the men. Virgo and Ethan were talking and laughing as we made our way to the front door. My eyes were itching to see that door as temptation to run out it the second it was opened rushed through my brain.
My blood began to pump hard, my heart beat faster and faster as that temptation twisted into a viable opportunity.
He'll kill you if you try that. You'll never make it, one of them will grab you.
Talking myself out of it, I realized how stupid of an idea it was. There were four grown men between me and that door, there was no way in hell I'd make it through.
Watching my feet as I walked, I felt the weight of someone beside me. Looking up, Machi had trickled back, his pace matching mine.
Keeping his head forward, he softly whispered. “If you need my help, just say the word.”
The way he said it made me almost believe him. He seemed sincere, real, like the thought of a child being in this home made him concerned.
Parting my lips to speak, I couldn't find my voice. I knew what Virgo was capable of, I knew how he handled a troubled situation. And I promised myself that I wouldn't let anyone else die because of me.
Holding onto the single word I knew would start a war, I held my breath and kept my eyes on my feet.
Machi could be telling the truth, or it could be a test. There was no way for me to really know.
But if he was being honest, there was no way in hell I would let him risk his life for me.
I wasn't worth that kind of trouble.
Virgo made that clear with every person he killed around me.
The men all shook hands again, Ethan was smiling, telling Virgo he was happy they would be working together. Fior hadn't said a word, simply nodding along li
ke a damn puppet.
Machi stepped to Virgo, resting his hand on his shoulder and squeezing. Standing much taller, he lowered his face as his nostrils flared. “And just so we're clear, if I find out you touched that girl before she's eighteen—” His fingertips tightened, causing Virgo to wince. “I'll come back and fucking kill you. Understand?”
Virgo glanced between Ethan and Fior, but neither one stepped in.
Machi's voice dropped, his tone laced with dark threats. “Understood?”
“Of course.”
Slapping him on the shoulder, Machi glanced in my direction, his eyes soft and sincere.
And just like that he was gone.
I didn't say a word. I didn't yell for him to take me.
I stood like a statue, letting him go.
Chapter Two
Berlin
Seven years later
I felt the cold metal of the pole as it slid between my shoulder blades. The men around me hooted and hollered, begging for one last dance. Smiling, I took a small bow, gathering up my earnings, and exiting off the stage through the deep red curtains.
The second I was out of the spot light, my smile was gone and my shoulders drooped forward. Heavy heels weighed down my feet as I walked to the small dressing room in the back.
There were other girls inside getting ready for their turn on the stage, other girls just like me. Girls who would most likely be there forever, or maybe—just maybe, they would be sent someplace else. An unknown place that had different walls, different people, different rules.
I guess that depended on who came looking. Not that it really mattered, none of us would actually be freed from any of this.
Money could do all kinds of things, it could buy you anything you ever wanted in a place like this.
It could even buy me if the price was right.
But us girls, we weren't allowed to talk to each other, that was against the rules.
There weren't a lot of rules, but all of them held me hostage. I was refused the pleasure of conversation, I was denied the luxury of human contact and compassion. There was no going outside, no phone calls, no emails, just solitude.
