Page 121 of Injustice and Absolution

“I wouldn’t reek of other men if you hadn’t made me do it. I don’t have to reek of other men, Drew. You can put an end to this, and I can beyours.Only yours. Just like you’ve always told me.”

One last-ditch, worthless effort to get him to reconsider.

“Youareonly mine, pretty girl. My life. My future. My everything.”

What I once believed to be an oath born of love was really a stake claimed and laced with greed.

Sometimes he fucks me. Other times he makesloveto me.It’s worse on those nights.

He calls me his pretty girl and tells me how proud he is of me. He whispers things a lover would while slowly taking his time, being gentle. The way he used to in the beginning of our relationship, long before he condemned me to this purgatory.

When he’s finished and he wraps me in his arms—an act that once brought me heartwarming comfort—it’s as though he’s tightening my shackles, binding me further to this new life of servitude.

He tells me he loves me, but he doesn’t know what love is any more than I do.

He only loves the money I’m bringing in.

“Rise and shine, Delilah.” An overly cheery Drew waltzes into the bedroom, flicking the light on, and a dark sense of foreboding angst seizes my body.

This can’t be good.

It’s my night off, and I was content to lay here in darkened silence until I’m forced back to work again.

I feel the bed sink as he sits next to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. He tugs, rolling me onto my back. I refuse to open my eyes and look at him, but he continues talking anyway.

“You have an appointment tonight that we need to get you ready for.”

That forces my eyes open.

“It’s my night off,” I attempt to roll back over, but he pins me to the mattress.

I fight against his hold, determined to loosen his grip. Lowering his head to mine, I come face-to-face with an evil smirk, dripping with satisfaction.

“You don’t get nights off. Not anymore. The nights you’re not scheduled at the club will be filled with off-site appointments. And some rich fuck just paid a small fortune to spend tonight with you.”

Fear stops my struggle.

No.

“Please don’t make me do this...” I beg, but no tears fall.

Not anymore.

I’m all cried out.

“You don’t have a choice, pretty girl. Not that the choice would be yours to make anyway. The wire transfer finished processing about thirty minutes ago. You just made me $150K richer.”

I’d give anything to wipe the smile from his face. But the nauseous dread I feel over the entire situation, and the disgusting amount of money exchanged, paralyzes me.

“You know, I was advised to start out pricing you much lower. To make a name for myself before shooting too high... Like I don’t know what my pretty little asset is worth. I made the right choice. I knew people would pay top dollar for you. Just like I know you’re going to make tonight the best night of my client’s life. Right?”

As my neck muscles give out and my head lulls to the side, Drew grabs my chin and forces my gaze back to his.

“Right, Delilah? You’re not going to fuck this up for me, are you?”

When I remain silent, he thrusts his thumb through my lips, forcing my mouth open.

“Right?!”his evil bark demands.

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