Page 38 of Neverland

Momma G wrapped an arm around my waist and heaved me up. I was surprised at how light I felt compared to the heavy grief of the last few days. I was able to walk by myself even though Momma G held tight. When I reached the stairs, I came to a halt, my stomach churning. The steps seemed to move back and forth, swayed like the ocean.

“Why are they moving?” I asked, confused as to where to put my feet.

“They aren’t, honey. Just put one foot in front.” She guided me down, slowly and carefully, and somehow we ended up outside by the SUV. Roy was smoking under the light of the street lamp when I climbed into the backseat, leaving me alone with Momma G. When she reached around and strapped me in she whispered close to my ear, “I know exactly what a white knight is, baby girl, and it will do you a world of good if you kept it to yourself. Don’t let Dominic inside that head of yours and for God’s sake, don’t mention any names. You understand?” She leaned back to see my face, and I nodded although I didn’t understand why she had brought it up. “Lucy… can you see me?”

I shook my head because although I could see the shape of her, I couldn’t see any features. I blinked hard, but still my vision remained blurred.

“Shit! This is a bad, bad idea,” she muttered under her breath.

“I feel sick,” I admitted, feeling like I’d been food poisoned on a rocking boat.

“Let’s go!” Dominic yelled from the darkness as he approached the SUV, but Momma G seemed reluctant to let me go. When she did, she pulled Dominic aside and the two spoke in hushed tones, both occasionally looking at me.

When the pair finished their discussion, Dominic rounded the car and Momma G whispered in my ear, “Remember, baby girl. There’s to be no talk of what’s happened.”

I nodded, resting my head against the seat, the roof of the car spinning like a stormy sky.

Dominic remained silent next to me for the whole journey, his mind on the deal he needed to ensure went smoothly. When we pulled into a basement what could have been an hour later, he leaned over and pulled my face to his.

“I brought you here because you’re the whole package, Lucy,” he said, taking the gentle approach. “The men I’m about to do business with only expect the highest quality and that’s you. If they touch you, let them. If they want a private dance, give them the best show they’ve ever had. Understand?”

I nodded the best I could given he was holding me in place.

“Tell me you understand.”

“I understand.”

“No fuck ups tonight, Lucy.”

“No fuck up,” I repeated.

The truth was, I didn’t want to fuck up. Why would I? I was about to thrown into a room of dangerous mobsters and a cold-blooded killer for a boss. Now was not the time to fuck up.

Dominic inched closer, his lips lingering on mine before he finally committed, giving me a soft, gentle kiss that again, was in stark comparison to his normal style. “Good girl. I knew you were the right choice.” This time my gut churned, but it wasn’t from the drug.

Roy opened my door and helped me out until Dominic took my arm in his. The two of us, along with armed guards provided by the men we were about to see, rode the lift to the sixty-sixth floor, the sudden rush causing a wave of light-headedness. Dominic tightened his grip, casting me a sideward glance.

The lift doors opened to reveal an open-spaced, intimately lit penthouse overlooking a glimmering city.

“Dominic!” a voice called from somewhere. Eventually, a smiling man came into view, jovial and enthusiastic. “Good to see you.”

“Sol, good to see you, too,” Dominic greeted, shaking his hand. “Everyone here?”

“Of course, we’re waiting on you.” Sol turned his attention to me. “And who is this exquisite creature?”

“This is Diamond.”

His face seemed to move in separate parts, cheekbones here, lips there, but I could see well enough to know he was staring.

“Indeed, she is a diamond. What a pleasure to have your company.”

A subtle elbow nudge reminded me to respond. “Thank you, Sol.”

Sol nodded, a slight change in his demeanor as he considered me a few seconds longer.

“Diamond is just recovering from a shoulder injury, but she’s such good company, I had to bring her.” He didn’t need to say that, because my cupped sleeved dress covered any hint of injury. He was simply making excuses for any odd behavior I might show.

Sol nodded. “I see. Good decision, we’re pleased to have her here.” He clapped his hands together with the same enthusiasm from earlier. “Let’s go in and meet everyone. Hopefully, we all leave with smiles wider than those we came in with.”

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