My heart thumps as I follow her down the hall toward a large door at the end. This place reeks of wealth and success and once again I wonder why he thought I was such a good choice.
She leads me into a light-filled office and gestures to the seat in front of a large desk. I sit down as she takes her seat opposite.
She looks at me with interest and once again looks me up and down with curious judgment.
“So, Miss. Williams. I believe you’re here to take part in the Miss. Sassy campaign. Mr. Knight has recommended you personally and I can see why. You are just what we need, so if you sign here, we’ll get started.”
She pushes a form toward me and I look down at the rows upon rows of text that make up a contract of sorts.
She notices my confusion and raises a well-plucked eyebrow
“Do you have any questions, Miss. Williams?”
I nod. “Yes, I need to read this first before signing it. It may take me some time to digest the contents.”
She looks a little exasperated but nods. “Fine. I’ll leave you to look it over while I get the set prepared. Time is against us, Miss. Williams and time is money.”
I watch as she closes the door behind her and then set about reading the contract.
It appears to be standard stuff until I get to the line that states my fee. I blink and then have to blink again to check that I am seeing it right. $20,000 for five hours work. There must be some mistake.
Quickly, I read it again but it’s just as it looks. $20,000 is more money than I’ve ever had in my life. I can’t believe it, there must be a misprint or something. I carry on scanning the sheet but my mind keeps on returning to the money. I can’t believe it. It’s too much.
I sit back in shock as Veronica comes back into the room.
She notices the pen in my hand and says smoothly. “Is everything ok, Miss. Williams.”
I shake my head and croak. “It says the fee is $20,000 for five hours work. Is that correct?”
She nods. “Yes, $4000 an hour. Is that ok? I mean, if you want more, I’m sure we could stretch a little further.”
I almost can’t think straight. More! Do people really earn this sort of money for standing in front of a camera? She looks at her watch and says briskly. “If you could sign the contract we’ll get started.”
I don’t know why but something is stopping me from committing myself, so I stand and face her with a determined look.
“Before I sign, I’d like to see what the job involves.”
She shrugs. “Follow me. Bring the contract and you can sign it on the set.”
She walks quickly from the room and I struggle to keep up and we soon arrive at the room designated for the photo shoot and I look around me with awe. This room is beautiful. There is a velvet regency couch set in the middle with white fur rugs and throws around it. The lighting is subdued, and it looks decadent and rich. A man with a camera around his neck approaches and looks me up and down critically.
“Hm, perfect. You need to get in hair and makeup darling, we don’t have much time to get this one in the bag.”
Veronica beckons and pushes me onto a chair in front of a large mirror where two girls are waiting. “Meet Lucy and Vivien. They’ll be your stylists and I’ll leave you in their capable hands. Now, the contract please, Miss. Williams.”
I feel foolish but must ask. “What’s the campaign if I may ask Veronica? I mean, is it makeup, fashion or perfume? I’m just curious.”
The two girls giggle and Veronica looks surprised. “I thought you knew. It’s for a men’s magazine. We’re doing a center spread for next month’s issue. Playtime at the plaza.”
I feel confused. A men’s magazine. I thought that was all cars and stuff. I feel myself blush as I say in a small voice. “I’m sorry, but what am I expected to do?”
Veronica rolls her eyes and says impatiently.
“You strip for the camera, dear. You pose with a feather boa and a garter suggestively. You make those men pant at the sight of you and keep them coming back for more. Surely you knew.”
Just for a minute, I stare. I hear the laughter around me and see the impatience in Veronica’s eyes. Then I stand up proudly and thrust the contract toward her.
“I’m sorry, Veronica. I think there’s been some mistake. I’m sorry to waste your time.”
I walk out as proudly as I can but feel the tears burning behind my eyes. I feel degraded and manipulated and should have known better. Mr. Knight said everyone had their limits. He obviously thought money was mine.
How little he knows.
~ 9 ~
Devlin
I put the phone down and smile. Once again, my little bartender hasn’t disappointed me. So, money doesn’t drive her passion. I wonder what will?
I laugh to myself and feel in a surprisingly good mood. She passes every test I throw at her with flying colors. An intriguing creature that has captured my interest in the most captivating of ways. I will look forward to seeing her again and probing deeper.
The day drags interminably as I wait for the Starlight hour. My business demands a lot of my attention and I spend most of my time in my offices in town because home is just a place to lay my head and provide a home for my family.
We’ve always had everything that money can buy and they want for nothing – materially speaking. When it comes to their emotional well-being, they are the poorest in the land. Caleb and Marius have no mothers to show them love. They live with me in an emotionless void. They have each other but as most brothers do, they grate on each other’s nerves.
I have two other sons. One lives with his mother and the other with my cousin Jake. They visit in the holidays which I’m sure they dread. Ashley and Savannah live with their mom and are two of the most spoilt girls you could ever wish to meet. Then there is Scarlett.
I allow a smile to grace my lips at the thought of my youngest daughter. So like me and yet like the others, she hates me with a passion. She also lives with her mom and I hate every minute she is away from me. Don’t ask me why but Scarlet touches my soul where the others fail and of all my children she interests me the most. She has no fear and doesn’t tolerate fools easily- me included. She questions everything and keeps her thoughts to herself. Yes, Scarlett is a lot like me both in looks and personality. I will need to teach her well because of all my children, she’s the one most likely to follow in my footsteps.
This path I walk in life is not easy and yet the most necessary on earth. I don’t take it lightly but wish with every beat of my heart it was different.
I feel myself sinking into that place I avoid at all costs and focus on the only thing I’m interested in – Luna.
My heart stirs as I think about the coming evening. It’s the only thing keeping me going; the thought of being in her company again.
I take a look at my watch and smile. It’s time to go and face the only woman who has ever captivated me in this way.
As soon as I enter the club, I feel something is different. An emptiness that hits me hard. She’s not here. The server greets me as usual and my gaze falls to the bar. A man is in her usual place and I feel unsettled. I stop and note the surprise in the server’s eyes. “Is everything ok, Mr. Knight?”
I growl. “Where’s the usual bartender?”
She looks surprised and just smiles sweetly.
“It’s her day off.”
Instantly, my mood is altered and I want to leave. If she’s not here then I’ve no reason to stay. Saying nothing I just turn and head outside. Great, now what?
As I turn the ignition and the car springs to life, I’m surprised at how desolate I feel. We hardly speak and yet I take comfort from the fact she is near. Why is that?
I close my eyes and search for her in my mind. Once again, nothing. Why can’t I see her? This has never happened to me before.
Feeling extremely irritated I head home instead. Great, another evening on my own in a house with no soul. I could go to another one of my clubs
and grab a warm body to keep me amused. I would have done just a week ago. Now the thought of it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I only want one girl and for the first time in my life—I can’t have her.
Luna
“Here you go, Sly. A nice plate of pasta and I’ve even managed to grab us some lemonade. We eat like kings tonight.”
Sly smiles and it makes my heart melt. Tonight, he’s agreed to have dinner with me in my apartment. He will eat a hot meal and then have a shower while I wash his clothes. I have managed to beg some cast-offs from Marco and Diego but they are bigger than Sly and they’ll just hang from his body.
As we eat Sly looks worried.
“Are you sure this is ok, Luna? I mean, shouldn’t you be working?”
I shake my head and taste the bitterness of a day wasted. “They owe me heaps of time off. I never take it because I can’t afford to. However, tonight I’ve made an exception. After what happened today, the Starlight Club is the last place on earth I want to be.”
Sly looks worried. “Why, what happened today?”
I proceed to tell him and his eyes narrow as I finish the sorry tale. He growls, “You did the right thing, Luna. People think because we have nothing, we’d do anything to succeed. What they don’t realize and probably never will is that money is the root of all evil. It makes people do terrible things and causes destruction in its wake. It’s much better to live a life well spent and enjoy the simple pleasures. That way you can live with yourself because sure as eggs the only person you can’t shake in life is you.”
I nod and feel the sadness enter my heart. “You’re right as always, Sly. I could never compromise myself just for money. I couldn’t live with it. I don’t judge those that do, maybe they don’t have the same principles I do. The trouble is, I’ve never had anything in the first place to worry about what I’ve lost. All that concerns me is happiness and helping others. Friendship is the greatest gift that money can’t buy and I’m so happy I have such a great one in you.”
Sly falls silent which doesn’t surprise me. He’s a man of few words and doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve. I know he appreciates everything I do for him, although he never says it out loud.
Instead, we talk about another life where we dance with rainbows and there’s no pain in the world. We talk about the simple pleasures like a breath-taking sunset or a spider’s web filled with the morning dew. We take comfort in a child’s laugh and savor the smell of baking bread. We share a love of nature and the beauty it provides. These things are free to enjoy and we gorge on them in abundance. Real life just gets in the way of our hopes and dreams and I’m thankful every day that I found a kindred spirit in Sly.
~ 10 ~
Luna
As I enter the club, the next evening I feel happy to be home. It’s just been one night, but this is all I know. I adore my Starlight family and love seeing them every night. Tonya waves as I head toward the bar. “Hey, Luna. It’s good to see you.”
I smile. “Glad to be back.”
She laughs and rolls her eyes. “It’s only been one night. You never take any time off and deserve that at least.”
I giggle and make to walk past but she grabs hold of my arm and lowers her voice.
“Listen, honey. I don’t want to alarm you but you had a visitor about an hour ago.”
I feel surprised, and she looks worried. “A group of men came in. Not the sort we like to see in here either. They asked Aria if she knew you and showed her your photograph. Do you know who they were?”
I feel the shivers starting deep within me. My heart starts beating fast and I look at her with fear. “What did they look like?”
She pulls a face. “Typical gangsters. One of them had a scar on his cheek, dark hair and dead eyes, you know the type. The others were beefy guys who look as if they could crush a man’s body with one hand.”
I try to keep my voice from shaking.
“What did she tell them?”
“I’m not sure but you know Aria, she’ll do anything for a fistful of the green stuff. If I were you, I’d find out, sharpish.”
She looks at me with concern.
“You’re not in any trouble are you, honey? You know if you are, Marcus would help. He’s got a soft spot for you; we all have and you don’t have to face this on your own.”
I muster a smile I don’t feel. “It’s fine. I think they’re some guys from my hometown. I expect my mom told them to look me up when they were in the area.”
She nods but I can see the worry in her eyes. Even Tonya knows this was no friendly visit.
My heart thumps as I go in search of Aria. I need to know what they want although it doesn’t take Einstein to work out who they were. Carlos Vincenzi. I try not to think about the man that sets my teeth on edge and strikes terror in my heart. How did he find me and why would he bother? It’s been three years since I ran out on my old life. Surely, he would have forgotten me by now.
I find Aria getting ready in the dressing room. After greeting almost everyone in the room and trying to act normal, I reach the only one I need to see. She looks at me guiltily and my heart sinks.
I pull her outside in the hall and whisper. “Tonya told me some men were just here looking for me. You didn’t tell them anything, did you?”
She looks down and my heart sinks as she whispers, “I’m sorry, Luna. They said they had a message from your mom and it was urgent they find you. They knew you worked here and lived locally and time was against them. One of them claimed to be your brother and said your mom is badly ill. I’m so sorry, honey. You don’t talk much about your family but I know if you thought your mom was sick, you’d want to know. I thought about telling Marcus but he wasn’t here and they seemed desperate and I didn’t know if you’d be in tonight. Sorry, I hope I haven’t done the wrong thing.”
I lean against the wall and feel the bile rising in my throat. “What did you tell them?”
She blushes and looks worried. “I told them where you lived. I’m sorry, Luna. I know we’re not supposed to give out addresses, but they were desperate and said there was no time to wait for Marcus. Have I done the wrong thing?”
I look at her anxious face and try to smile reassuringly. She didn’t know and Carlos and his men make a living out of being convincing.
“It’s ok, honey. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
I leave her worried face behind and start walking back toward the bar, each step in tune with every beat of my heart. My mind is racing and I think every possibility flashes through my head at once. I fight back the tears as I realize I need to run—again. They will find me and take me back to the life promised to me. I can’t allow that; I can’t leave my job or the friends I’ve made. I can’t leave Sly.
Then the cold hand of fear grasps my soul and I cry out inside. Sly!
Of all nights, tonight he promised to take me up on my offer of a bed for the night. The weather is wet and wild and even he knew it would be foolish to turn down a warm bed in favor of a night in a cold, wet Alley. He’ll be at my apartment when they come calling.
I start to run as it’s the most important thing in the world that I get home—and fast.
I don’t even have time to tell anyone and I rush back the way I came, choking down the sobs as I go. If I run all the way I should be back in twenty minutes. A lot can happen in twenty minutes and I just pray they don’t find where I live easily.
As I race out the door, I run straight into a man coming the other way. Strong hands reach out and grasp me and a familiar voice says deeply, “Whoa, slow down, darlin’, where’s the fire?”
I look up in surprise into the dark, menacing eyes of Mr. Knight and I swallow—hard.
Up close he’s even more fearsome than I remember. His eyes glitter dangerously and look at me with intent. I don’t miss that his arms are wrapped around me holding me firmly as he looks at me with curiosity.
I blush and struggle to free myself but his grip is like a vise.
He say
s slowly.
“I’m not letting you go until you tell me.”
I feel the tears welling up and my lip tremble. He looks angry and his eyes flash and I can’t help it and break down in his arms.
“Please, Mr. Knight, I have to go. I think my friend’s in danger and I must get to him before they do.”
He stares at me steadily and growls.
“Then I’ll take you; you can explain on the way.”
I have no time to refuse his offer and he leads me to his powerful black car. As I slip inside, he wastes no time in setting off.
As we drive, he growls, “Tell me.”
Falteringly, I tell him of my worries. I fill him in on the story of my life so far and notice his hands tightening on the wheel with every word I speak. I find that once I start, I can’t stop. I tell him of my mom and the deal she made. I let him know who we are dealing with because he will be no match for Carlos and his men. All the time he is silent and by the time I finish, I feel the air in the car stifling me like a choking, toxic, gas. The tears flow freely and I can think of nothing but Sly.
By the time we reach my apartment I’m inconsolable.
I direct him to the street outside and place my hand on the handle to take flight.
He growls. “Wait here, I'll go and check on him, it may not be safe. Give me your keys.”
I shake my head. “No, I must come, I need to help him.”
He swings his eyes to mine and I cower at the man I see staring at me. There’s something menacing and commanding about that stare and I shrink back with terror. He holds out his hand and I drop my keys into it knowing I have no choice.
He says darkly. “Wait here.”
As I watch him cross the street, I look up at the window and note the darkness where there is usually light. I hear time tick by in my mind, every second feeling like an hour until I can take it no more. I can’t just wait; I need to help my friend.
Luna Page 5
