Page 93 of Ruthless Beast

“What? Since when are you afraid of bending the rules?” I challenge her.

“Fine. But if anything goes wrong, it’s on you,” she snaps and walks off.

Maria winks at me before she too walks away. Yes! My plan is in motion. I’ll be out of here before long.

It’s 3 p.m., and the girls are in my room. The barman came through for me, and I’m pleased with my attempts at catering on a budget. I even managed to get some chocolate. I had to sell one of my bracelets to sweeten the deal, but it’s worth it if I can get out of here.

“Welcome, ladies,” I greet my posse when they arrive. “Wine?”

“Wow! I can’t believe you pulled it off, Emily,” Maria grins happily.

“Uh-huh. I thought you could all use a bit of a break. Come in. Help yourselves.”

“Is that chocolate?” Elena gasps.

“Go ahead. Eat as much as you like.”

Before long, the room is abuzz with chatter and laughter. The girls are relaxed, and I’m thankful to have an audience. I’ll wait until they’ve all had a few glasses of wine before I casually drop a few hints about trying to escape.

“How did you end up here, Emily?” Maria asks.

“I trusted a man. How else?”

“Why do we do that?” she sighs. “They’re always fucking us over.”

“Well, this one was atrustedman. Or so I thought.”

“Oh, please. The only trustworthy man is a dead man,” Elena snaps. “They’re all useless.”

“Not every man,” Maria says softly. “My Diego was a good man.”

“Who’s Diego?” I ask.

“We were engaged. He’s dead now.”

“Oh, Maria. I’m so sorry. What happened?”

“He got involved with the wrong people.”

“I know all about that,” I answer. “My brother died the same way.”

“”Was he a good man?”

“The best. He took care of me after our parents died. David was a wonderful person.”

“How did he die?” Maria asks, her eyes tearing.

“He was murdered.”

“Who did it?”

“That’s the worst of it. I don’t know.”

“And the man who dumped you here?” Elena asks.

“Him. That bastard was working for my boyfriend. Damon betrayed us both.”

“Damon?” Elena asks, looking around at the rest of the women.

---