Page 2 of Tilly
“Oh my god, I’ve been waiting forever for you two.” Rosa’s arms wrap around my neck. “Holy shit, Tilly, you’re on fire tonight.” She pulls back and lifts a hand to fan herself dramatically.
I shake my head while I tug at the bottom of my top, trying to cover just a little more of my exposed stomach.
My eyes shift around the club. I can’t help it. I know what I’m doing without meaning to. I’m seeking him out. I also know it’s highly unlikely he’ll actually be here. Why would he be? I’m sure he has plenty of other things to keep him occupied. The Gambino family might own this nightclub, but I’ve never been here. I have no idea if Antonio actually frequents this place or not.
“Here ya go, little hellion.” The bartender places two red concoctions in front of us. I go to hand him a fifty and he shakes his head. “On the house.” He smiles and slides over to the next customer.
I’m too confused to argue with the guy as the little hairs on the back of my neck prickle with awareness. He’s here. I know it. I look up towards the balcony, and that’s when I spot him, staring right back at me.
Shit. This was a bad idea. What on earth was I thinking?
I pick up the drink. The coolness of the liquid does nothing to temper my overheated body. Kinsley and Rosa look at me with wide eyes when I place the empty glass back on the bar.
“I’m going to the bathroom. I’ll meet you two on the dance floor,” I tell them.
“I’ll come with you,” Rosa offers.
“No, I just need a minute.”
The girls share a glance but I don’t give them time to question me as I slip around them and walk off. I don’t even know where the bathrooms are located.
The whole time I make my way through the crowded club, I can feel his eyes tracking me. I need to get out of here. I don’t know what I was thinking. I can’t do this. I’m not this girl. No matter how much I wanted to escape and be her for a little bit.
I push my way through a door and stop short when I end up in an alley. I jump when the door slams shut behind me. I was so lost in my own head I didn’t know where I was going.
I turn around and I try to open it, but the damn thing doesn’t budge. It’s locked. “Great. Just freaking great,” I mumble under my breath. “Darn it.” I left my clutch on the bar. Which means I don’t have my phone, and I can’t even tell the girls I’ve been locked out.
I rub at my chilled skin as I try not to freak out. I’ve spent my life avoiding situations like this. Being alone in a dark alley.
Yeah, this is not my thing.
My steps quicken, the click of my heels too loud against the pavement. I maneuver around a dumpster, the lights and noise of the busy sidewalk a welcomed sight.
“How much?” A deep voice from right next to me has a shiver running down my spine.
“I’m sorry…” I say and walk faster. I just need to get near people.
“Come on, baby, how much? I’ve got the money. You’ve got the pussy. Let’s do business.”
I open my mouth to try to explain that he has the wrong idea here, when the sound of sirens blares in my ears and blue-and-red lights flash in my eyes. I never thought I’d be so happy to see cops. When you grow up with my last name, they aren’t exactly your favorite people.
That relief is short-lived when one of the officers approaches me, reaches out, and twists my arm behind my back before grabbing for the other. “You’re under arrest…”
Then I hear the audible clank of metal on metal. I don’t know what else he says as my heart beats out of my chest.
“No, this is a mistake.” I try to tell him as he walks me over to the car before opening the back door and shoving me inside.
Darn it, darn it, darn it. What the heck is happening?
As freaked out as they have me right now, I keep my mouth shut. These guys don’t know who I am. And I need to keep it that way. Even when I’m sitting behind a desk and they’re explaining how I’m being charged with prostitution. I want to laugh and tell them how ridiculous it is to charge a virgin with prostitution. Pretty sure I’m as far from a hooker as one can get.
I don’t though. Instead, I sit and wait. They’ll have to let me out eventually. They’d let me out quicker if I actually gave them my name, but then my parents would find out that I’m here, and I’m not about to have that conversation with them.
Chapter Two
Tonight is one of the craziest nights for the club. Crazy, as in Halloween seems to bring out the worst in mankind. It’s as if these fuckers think donning a costume gives them some kind of superpower to turn into the assholes they always wanted to be.
Me? I don’t need a fucking costume. I’m an asshole on a good day. Catch me on a bad one and…
