by Alice Ward
Looking over my shoulder, I was surprised to see she hadn’t taken the opportunity to flee. Her panic-stricken eyes held mine, and I watched as something that looked like hope sparked before determination filtered in.
“Okay, then, just wait here while I call.” My thumb hit 9 then 1 then—
Just as I was about to press the green call button, his fat, sweaty hand tried to snatch it from my hand. The sloppy move was easy to evade.
“Not a smart move, Jack,” I warned. “Take my phone, and I’d have to add theft to the report.” If only I could’ve ripped his throat out.
“I let her go, you’ve nothing to report. Don’t fuck with me Mr. Crave.com… you’re nothing. Tenex Capitol owns everything, even the platform you work from. I could squash you in a minute, like a fucking cockroach.” His words dribbled together in a drunken jumble.
I shoved him into the wall again, hard enough for him to feel it tomorrow. “While I doubt you could, I’ll leave you to your fantasies.”
He clung to the wall. “I’m warning you.”
“Do your best, Jack. I’d be worrying about what I might know about your company. I could and most likely will dethrone you. Soon.” I turned to the security guard. “Tell my hostess that she can find me outside when my client is finished. Also, I suggest you take a moment to decide what kind of man you want to be in the future, one who watches a woman get raped or one who owns a pair of balls.”
I knew Jack Marshal was one of the richest man in the world. He owned everything, no one had the guts to cross him. There’d been rumors that Jack’s Tenex Capitol Holdings was doing some shitty and mostly illegal things. Somewhere in my gut, I knew butting heads with him was the right thing to do. I was a risk taker, even though this particular risk bordered on insanity.
I turned away from Jack and my eyes settled on the woman named for the most delicate of creatures, who apparently wasn’t quite so delicate. I moved toward her, unsure of what my next move would be.
Our eyes met, and I hesitated for a second. She was so remarkably beautiful, even while completely draped in black.
“You don’t want to go?” I asked after staring at her a moment too long.
“I couldn’t leave without thanking you.” Her voice was deep and sultry, like she wasn’t used to it.
“There’s no need. I was only doing what was right. Hope I didn’t cause you too much trouble.” I was grasping for more to say, not wanting to leave her company. Hoping she would ask me to take her away from this dark pleasure den.
“I’ll be fine,” she assured me and drew her cape around her tighter.
I was surprised when she motioned me to follow her. We fell in step together, walking down the sidewalk toward another building, the crisp, cold air a welcome change from Jewel’s warm, seductive scents. The sky glittered with stars, the rain having washed away the thick gray clouds, making the trees and walkways glisten with dampness, giving the night a spectacular flare. Or maybe it was just because she was next to me.
I looked over to her, not sure what else I might say. She drew her hood more tightly around her face and kept her eyes on the ground. I was curious as to why she was behaving like a Jewel now when we were both outside and free of the place.
“Most men here wouldn’t have stopped him.” She turned to me, our eyes meeting again.
“You deserve better.” I restrained my desire to sweep her up into my arms.
She nodded and whispered, “I do.”
“What’re you going to do now?” I asked, my heart pulsing strangely in my throat.
If only she’d allow herself to be revealed, throw off the mask and allow me to see what she kept hidden underneath. Then we’d be on equal footing at least. Surely, she was beautiful, with her ethereal pretense.
I found myself swallowed up in fantasy and felt like I knew her, like somehow, she already possessed my heart.
Which was completely unfeasible.
I was in lust with an illusion, and I so desperately wanted her to dispel it because somehow, I suspected I’d recognize the real woman she hid.
“I’m going to go back to my apartment, Mr. Wellington.”
“Before you go, please…” I touched her arm, hoping for the intimacy and nearness between us that I experienced in that room to return. I expected her to flinch, but she remained still. “Can I at least know your name, your real name?” I hoped she heard the sincerity in my voice.
She hesitated for a moment, and I withdrew my hand from her arm.
Something that resembled need crossed her face then the ever-present façade took over again. “I’m sorry, Mr. Wellington, you may call me Mona.” Her voice fell, and her face turned somber. “I don’t give clients my real name.”
“Well, then please, should we ever meet again, call me Roman.” I fished in my pocket for my wallet. “Mr. Wellington is… a math teacher or a butler or something. I’ve never been the Mr. Wellington type. My housekeeper calls me Mr. Wellington and it drives me nuts.” I smiled as I pulled my business card out of my wallet and handed it to her.
She took the card without looking at it and tucked it into a pocket in her cape, and my heart fell. It would probably be in a trash can the moment she entered her place.
She nodded. “Thank you, Roman.” Then she turned and walked away from me without a parting word.
There wasn’t anything for me to do but watch her leave.
A few moments later, my phone buzzed. Duk was escorted out of the club, drunk and dazed. He met me on the front steps, and I could see car lights flare in the parking lot ahead. Finally, our night was over.
“How’d it go, Duk?” I tried to sound jovial and interested.
“Oh, so fucking good,” he blathered with a loud chuckle. “My dick’s never been so happy. She was so fucking good to my dick.”
I forced myself to laugh with him in an effort to leave behind the cold that had filled me as I watched the Butterfly walk away. But while I loved how raw Duk could be at times, as he was ashamed of absolutely nothing, my thoughts were only on the mysterious woman with the mask.
“Glad to hear it.” I slapped him on the back.
“Can we come back again before I head to Korea? I’ve got to hit that one more time.” The words sounded awkward leaving his mouth, but he looked less intoxicated at the thought of another night of pleasure.
“Let’s see what we can fit into the schedule.” I guided him down the steps and toward the awaiting car.
As much as I loathed to ever see the place again, the thought of having another night with her was an enticing idea.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Adara
Emotions overwhelmed me as I walked back to my apartment. In my pocket my fingers played with the soft paper and raised lettering of Roman’s business card. I was sure I’d never call him, but it felt good knowing I had it. That I could.
I purposely left it in the pocket of my cape, right next to my cell phone, for no particular reason other than it seemed like that’s where it belonged.
My place was in the second building on the left and up a flight of steps. Although it was a small one-bedroom accommodation, it neatly housed everything I owned. Even though none of the stuff inside was really mine, I felt safe there. After what happened tonight, however, I realized I wasn’t safe anywhere.
It was such a jarring experience, my hands still trembled. I tried to find my thoughts and feelings on the matter, but my mind was a rambling blank space filled with only images of Roman’s face as he stepped up to defend me. Fragmented thoughts stabbed at me then disappeared, chased away by Roman’s touch on my arm.
Rape… he’d said rape.
I was almost raped.
Tears welled in my eyes, but I forced them back. I was not going to cry. I’d cried too much these past two years.
I found myself pacing the floor, unable to sleep.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and I froze.
Would the staff come looking for me? I hadn’t done anythi
ng wrong. I had to keep reminding myself of that.
I’d signed a contract, and in it, I was only obligated to perform as the Butterfly. I’d had to commit to rehearsals for new numbers, stay fit and healthy enough to perform, and not leave campus during the work week. Meals, medical care, costumes, and a cell phone were provided for me. For my service, I was paid twelve hundred dollars a month and given a place to live. If I received tips, they were mine to keep tax-free.
It wasn’t nearly enough to live on, and the management knew it, but for me, it was a place to stay where no one would ever know me. A sanctuary. They had no legal right to come for me. I’d refused a man’s advances, one I wasn’t contracted to accept. If they were going to try to force me to submit to Jack’s demands, it would be criminal.
As I stood and listened, I realized it was Janis, a Jewel who lived across the hall. It was almost four in the morning, too early for her to be coming home from work. Most Jewels didn’t finish until between six and eight in the morning.
I liked Janis, and at the moment, talking to someone who wouldn’t mess with my head was imperative, or I’d never sleep.
Slipping my mask back on, I opened the door when I heard her keys in the lock.
“Hey,” I said as I peeked my head out.
“Hey you,” she yelped, somewhat startled. “Can’t sleep?”
I was still wearing my cape, which she noticed with an odd look.
“Nope, what about you? Why are you home so early?” I hoped there wasn’t something wrong.
She looked at me distantly, her face a little sad. “No one made a bid for me tonight.” Her eyes dropped to the floor.
“I’m sorry. Do you want to come in and have a glass of wine or a Coke or something? I could really use the company.” I immediately regretted the words as I didn’t want to talk about what just happened. Or Roman. I wanted to hold the feelings he’d stirred in me that I hadn’t felt in so long to myself.
“Sure, why not.” Her voice was higher than usual, and I could tell not being chosen tonight somehow hurt her to her core.
It was a strange life we led. Here it was, nearly morning, and she and I were just winding down. At least, it was odd for me. I often got home around midnight, with shifts beginning at ten. The show started at eleven and since I was the opening act, I was usually able to be in bed by the time the Jewels were leading some man to theirs. I did need to be up for rehearsal in the morning, while Janis would be free to sleep in — unless it was Monday, a meeting day.
Janis entered my apartment, and I hung up her cape, then checked the mirror to make sure my mask was properly in place. I wore it around everyone. I always did. It was weird for people at first, but most everyone was used to it by now. I’d heard the stories and knew people thought I was grossly disfigured. To me, I was, but I’d seen worse scars than mine.
“What’ll it be?” I asked in a chipper tone, trying to lighten her mood.
“Do you have wine?” Her voice was small and distant as she glanced around the living room looking lost.
“Of course. A glass of wine sounds great after the night I’ve had.” Dammit. I’d jumped right in.
“Yeah, why are you home so late?” She looked at me with interest.
I went into the kitchen and poured us both a glass of Merlot, then came out with a bag of chips and the wine.
“Oh my god, chips.” Her eyes widened like a junk food junkie.
“I know.” I smiled devilishly.
“How’d you get them? In our meetings they are always going over what we can’t eat… ever.” She rolled her eyes, which then fixated on the contraband.
“I can’t tell you or I’d have to kill you. Are you sure you want to chance it?’ I shook the bag enticingly before dumping its contents in a bowl and placing it on the coffee table. “The chip police might come get you.”
I knew these women often lost sight of anything that wasn’t related to the fantasy and mystique Jewel represented.
“I suppose a few won’t hurt,” she whispered as she took a chip and her glass of wine and curled up with them in her lap. Janis nibbled on her chip like the grease would go straight to her hips and give her away. “So, what happened?” Her eyes were lively, ready for late night gossip.
“Jack Marshall made another offer, which I refused.” I stopped there, figuring the fewer details I shared about what happened outside, the better, especially because I hadn’t had the chance to work my way through the problem of Jack. But Janis was the one and only person I could call friend at the moment, other than Brandy, who I was losing faith in. I trusted Janis, to a degree. “Then this incredibly hot guy paid an insane amount of money to have a conversation with me.”
Janis’ eyes bulged, and her mouth dropped open. “All you did was talk?”
“Yeah,” I sighed. Taking a sip of wine, the tart flavor filled my senses to blot out the way my blood sang at the thought of Roman.
“Wow, sounds like you enjoyed yourself. That’s never happened to me.” Her expression turned worried. “I sure wish someone had picked me tonight, my Neiman Marcus credit card bill is due. Then there’s Johnny’s school tuition too.”
I could tell her stress was mounting, so I changed directions. “How’s Johnny doing?” I asked as I tossed her a throw and tucked another around my legs.
“He’s good. He got kindergarten student of the month last week. The school sent me pictures.” She eyed the bowl of chips and gripped her wine glass tightly. “His dad usually pays for boarding school, but Frank told me this was gonna be his last year paying for school. I’ll have to come up with the money myself or find another arrangement.”
“Doesn’t he pay child support?” I seemed to be talented at bringing things up that were stressful to her.
“We had an agreement. But him and his wife have apparently reconciled. They’re expecting a baby, and she’s put pressure on him to cut ties with us and reduce what he pays to the legal max.” Janis took a swig of wine. “He’s going to continue paying some expenses, but unless I hire a lawyer, I’ll have to take what I can get.”
“Oh, Janis…”
“That’s what I get for falling in love with a married man.” She paused, and her eyes went a bit dreamy and far away. “You know, even after all I’ve been through with him I still can’t help but want to be with him.” She shrugged. “Guess I’m not lucky at love.”
“I know what you mean.” The way the words came out of my mouth gave away too much and made me wish I could confide in her, tell her to do whatever it took to be with the man she loved. Because one day it might be too late.
Janis pierced me with her crystal blue eyes. “Even if you won’t talk about it, your sadness gives it away.”
I looked down so she wouldn’t see the tears pricking my eyes. “Sometimes things are too painful to talk about.”
She laid her hand on top of mine and squeezed, then sat back and let out a long breath. “Tell me more about this man who wanted to talk. Was he old and crusty, couldn’t get it up? Some of their fetishes are pretty weird. Did he expose himself or ask you if he could suck on your nose?”
“What?! No!”
She grinned. “It’s an actual fetish, nose sucking. There’s all kinds, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. I once had a client who got turned on by wood. Not just any wood now, it had to be a fine cherry wood finish.”
I was stunned to silence for a moment then laughed. “I guess a good sand job would make all the difference. Splinters, you know?”
Janis hooted. “Yep. When the hostess mistakenly provided a walnut table, he couldn’t get it up.”
I fell over on the couch laughing, and we made jokes about barking up the wrong tree and knot holes until tears poured down our faces.
When we finally calmed down, Janis asked, “Is there anyone you’re interested in?”
The lightheartedness that I hadn’t felt in so long vanished and I swallowed, shaking my head. “That part of my life is over.”
“O
h, Mona, you could have any man who comes here. Just don’t get too attached.”
I shook my head again. Despite their line of work, a lot of Jewels had boyfriends or clients they saw on the side who provided them company and a chance for a deeper relationship. Kind of like a glorified Sugar Daddy. Unfortunately, none of them were very healthy relationships.
As always, I turned the attention back to her. “Anyone catch your eye lately?”
“As a matter of fact, I have a crush on one of my regulars. He’s dripping in money, and he said he’s gonna ask me to meet him outside the club one day. Maybe that could turn into something.” Her face lit up with a smile.
“Well, that sounds promising,” I said, even though I couldn’t imagine dating anyone who partook of what was offered at Jewel. Roman’s face popped into my mind, and I quickly pushed it back out.
After we chatted a little while longer, we said good night and I tucked myself into bed, trying not to think about the problem of Jack.
I’d drunk a lot of wine, hoping to fall into a dreamless sleep. I dreamed about Nate most nights. Sometimes, the dreams were wonderful, but they were usually the same dream, a memory really, of when we were at the fair and he won me a stuffed monkey from the basketball toss. The one I still wrapped my arms around every night.
As the wine took me under, I could already almost hear the carnies calling out, tempting passersby with an easy win. The wind carried the scent of corndogs and cotton candy, and I turned to see Nate frown at the gathering crowd.
When I heard the click of camera phones, I knew we’d been discovered: Nate Galloway and Adara Wilde — hottest couple of the year.
Nate handed me the stuffed monkey, and in our failed disguises of baseball caps and sunglasses, we waved to the crowd then made a dash for the arena where we were scheduled to perform.
The sky went from a dazzling blue to threateningly gray. Our tour manager, Don, was nervous about the coming storm. But since the seats were already filling up and the venue hadn’t called it, we went out on stage as usual.
