Page 14 of Neverland

“I see he’s got you well trained,” Jason said, both impressed and concerned.

I didn’t know how to respond to his comment. Trained was certainly one way of looking at it.

“Is he hurting you?”

My palms grew sweaty, Anton’s penetrating stare worsening my anxiety. “You guys should go. I’ll get Blaze to reimburse you.”

“Diamond, we can give you a way out,” Simon said with urgency.

I scoffed because if that’s what they were offering, they clearly didn’t know Dominic Salvatore. “A way out?”

“Yes. If Dominic is holding you against your will, we can help.”

“That’s really nice of you, but you don’t know what you’d be going up against.”

Jason eyed Anton before edging closer. “I can tell you’re scared so I’m not going to pressure you. I want you to think on it, though. Will you promise me?”

“You’re wasting your time.”

“And you’re wasting your life if you ignore help and choose to stay.”

Does he think I stay here because I welcome the punishment?

“You don’t know the first fucking thing about me or my situation, so don’t sit there all high and mighty pretending you’re God. Because around here, Dominic Salvatore is God and he gets off on destroying those who double-cross him. And just because you’re Vice doesn’t make you immune.”

“We’re not afraid of Dominic.”

I almost felt sorry for Jason. “You should be.”

“I didn’t mean to upset you, Diamond. You have to be careful who you trust, I get it.”

Reaching into his jacket pocket with his hand closest to the wall, he carefully slid a business card along the shadows of the leather lounge. “Call this number if ever you’re ready to make a clean break. I promise we’ll be there for you.”

I should have just walked away.

I should have known better than to double-cross Dominic Salvatore.

But I was foolish. Too concerned my deception was written all over my face, I played along with the detective’s good intentions. Nodding, I slipped the card under my own hand and folded it in half all without Anton batting an eyelid. When he turned his attention to a group of men entering from the club, I stowed the card in my bra.

I rose to leave knowing if I stayed any longer Dominic would press me later for answers, and his method of extracting information was stuff of my nightmares.

Jason pulled me close. “Dominic Salvatore is not God. We’re not afraid of him and neither should you be.”

I wanted to believe Jason. But I’ve seen and felt Dominic’s brutality on many occasions and underestimating that man was just as dangerous as the blood running through his veins. I moved closer still so there was no mistaking my words.

“I’m not scared of him. I’m terrified. And if he finds out what you’re doing, you should run for your life.”

~~~

“You better get out of here,” Monique warned, her eyes flicking to the door. “I heard what happened.”

I stilled, twisting the bag zipper between my fingers. I didn’t want to relive what I saw in the hall. It would already plague me as soon as I closed my eyes, just like all the other times.

She pulled her sequined dress over her shoulders and let it drop to the floor. Her beautiful naked ebony skin was sheer perfection. Reaching for her bra, she continued in a low, cautious voice. “The girls are talking. Some are even requesting not to work the nights you’re on.”

I could understand their resentment, but it still hurt. I needed allies, but allies were hard to come by when what happened to them was the result of what Dominic wanted to do to me. Building friends was impossible on the premise they might become collateral damage.

“You’ve always got me, babe,” she reassured while buttoning up her jeans.

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