Page 20 of Meaner Than Evil

“Claudia.” She answers as she sinks in the water.

“Is that your real name?”

“Girl, you know it ain’t.” She cuts her eyes at me and dismisses the subject. Then she slides down deeper under the water and closes them. “Ah, this is so nice. I had a wild night.”

I close mine too and force myself to relax with her. If she is this comfortable, then I’m not in immediate danger.

She says softly so her voice is only slightly louder than the sound of the jets forcing the water around in the tub. “Listen, you seem like a smart woman, and because you won’t receive any more drugs, I’m going to give you some advice.”

I turn to look into her eyes.

Her gaze is direct. “Go to that memory, and you’ll get through this.”

The submissive sincerity on her face is sobering, causing my throat to constrict with fear from what her words are implying, sending the panic in my gut whirling again.

“Hey,” she whispers, concerned. “I’m not trying to scare you. I’m trying to help you.”

I ask, “How long have you been here?”

She answers, “Long enough to know you’re going to need to find a safe place to go to in your mind that shields you from what’s happening around you.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, but my eyes tear up.

“What’s his name?” She asks.

“Jack.” I whisper as I shut them and take her advice. Jack’s face appears instantly, and I relive our goodbye.

“I will always love you, Logan. If you ever need me for anything, I’ll be there for you. You have my word.”

“Hey, it might not be like that. You might get lucky like I did. My first man was very sweet, gentle. He loved me.” She sighs, “But then I went through puberty and he didn’t want me anymore.”

Oh my god!“How old were you when you … you know?”

“Ten. I’m from South America. My parents sent me here for a better life. It didn’t work out like they thought, but …” She wiggles lower in the water. “It’s not turned out too bad.”

“What’s going to happen to me?”

Her voice raises, and I realize she is speaking loud enough for anyone listening to be able to hear us. “Very powerful men from around the world are coming here tonight to meet you. If they like what they see, they will offer a dowry to marry you.”

“A dowry? Are you fucking kidding me?”

Her brow crinkles, and she states. “You belong to El Diablo now, and he is arranging a marriage for you. You are very lucky. You will live like this.” She states and looks around the room.

I bite my tongue, and pray with all my heart that my parents found Jack. The thought that he might not be coming to rescue me is too terrifying to contemplate.

Thirty minutes later, a small group of women enter the suite. They joke with each other about being the Pimp’s Pampering Pros, and get right to work making sure I am treated like a princess. When I emerge from the water, they discuss whether or not I should receive a Brazilian wax job.

“I vote, ‘no.’” Claudia says.

“Why not?” A redhead asks.

“Her hips are too full.”

“What does that have to do with it?” The blonde asks.

“Waxing her pussy isn’t going to make her look any younger.” Claudia states. “She’s built like a woman. Curvy and voluptuous.”

“Good. I hate that part of this anyway. They all scream like little babies when I rip the hair off.” The blonde confesses. “I always have nightmares for the next week, wondering how much screaming they’ve been doing from the shit they’ve been going through.”

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