Page 46 of Strings Attached
As we stepped back into the night air, my sweat turned icy against my skin, and I shivered loudly. This was bullshit. Why had I agreed to go out?
To have fun with friends for once in your life.
I pushed away the annoying thought and continued on, focusing on my feet and trying to keep my head low against the freezing wind. Each blast stung my face, and I gritted my teeth, desperate not to shatter into a million pieces.
I slowed my steps as I recognized the path we took. “Wait. Where are we going?”
“Dominion’s,” Elsie said loudly over the wind. “Ever been?”
My stomach churned at the thought of stepping foot in there after what happened last time. Being passed around to give blowjobs to Lee’s friends as though I was nothing more than trash. Ginette dying next to me while I was passed out. I hadn’t gone back since that night. Since the time I’d quit taking codeine.
“You guys know that’s a shady place, right?” I said, my voice shaking a bit, but I just blamed it on the cold. I wasn’t scared. Not really.
Sabrina shrugged. “It’s fine. Besides, they’ve got the best deals in the city when it comes to drink prices.”
“You’re not going to suddenly bail, are you?” Elsie asked with a pout. “Come on. We haven’t even started the night yet. You can’t go.”
I wanted to argue, beg to go someplace else, but the rest of the group continued on, leaving Elsie and me behind. I bit my lower lip but finally nodded. I didn’t want to stay in the cold any longer than necessary. Besides, it would be fine to go in. I wasn’t doing drugs anymore, nor would I ever start again.
We entered, and a shiver shot down my back. It looked the same as before, the same furnishing and placement. The same creepy stairs going down into the basement to the toilets. We went deeper into the establishment, techno music blasting on all the speakers as people danced in the middle of the main room. A few booths and tables stood to the sides where people sat and chatted?although most were making out since it was nearly impossible to hear one another in this place.
Elsie motioned to a table, and we all took our seats, slipping out of our coats. It was nice being warm again, but my skin prickled as it defrosted too quickly. I winced as my thighs throbbed from the cold, and I got back up.
“I’m just going to use the washroom,” I said loudly over the music. They all nodded, barely paying attention to me as they talked about what drinks to order first.
I went down the steps, my hand against the wall as I trudged down; the place was too cheap to install a rail. The paint was chipped in a few places, and graffiti covered most of it. Most of the stalls had missing doors, but I stepped into one that was whole and pulled down my tights to use the toilet. My thighs were bright red, and I grimaced as I rubbed them, trying to get circulation back. I could’ve stayed where it was warm at home. Instead, I was here partying with people who had something to celebrate. Me... Well, I didn’t see much point in celebrating the end of the semester when all it did was bring me closer to using the card Jack made me pick.
Would he do it if I asked him to?
I pushed the thought from my mind; it wasn’t time yet. Still had my report to finish before it came to the end plan. I flushed the toilet using my foot?no way would I touch the handle with my hand. No soap, but at least they had a bottle of disinfectant. I made sure to use three pumps. This place was beyond gross.
As I went back upstairs into the main area, I looked around, trying to find someone from my group. None of them were at the table anymore, but there were so many people around, I couldn’t see any of them. I pushed through the crowd, heading toward the bar, when someone grabbed my arm.
Lee grinned, staring at me from head to toe. “Well, well. Would you look at what the cat dragged in?”
I tried wrenching away from him, but his grip tightened.
“I don’t want any trouble,” I said, narrowing my eyes on him. How I’d ever done any sexual favors for this scum, I’d never understand. But drugs made me desperate.
“That’s fine. Neither does my boss.” He leaned closer, his blue eyes eerie in the flashing lights. “He wants to speak to you.”
“What?” My heart beat a little faster as I tried pulling away again. “No.”
His fingers dug into my arm, and I winced. “I’ll drag you to him if I’ve got to. Maybe involve your friends, too?” He motioned to the dancefloor, where Elsie and Sabrina danced. Bile burned the back of my throat at the thought. Not only of having them involved but them finding out what I used to do and why.
“Okay, okay. I’ll come with you. Just leave them out of this.”
I didn’t fight as he led me through the crowd toward the back, where we went through an employee’s only door. We walked through multiple corridors, passing by staff that didn’t even blink an eye at Lee, walking me as though I was a kid who got into trouble.
At the end of the hallway, a black door called out ominously, a bouncer standing in front. He reminded me of Jack, and suddenly, I got a little more scared of what could happen next. The man opened the door, letting us through without a word, and I stepped inside. The room was vast and open. A desk stood in the middle, and the man behind it looked like something out of a gangster movie. He was tattooed from the neck down from what was visible of his skin, his hair cut short as though he was in the military. His dark gaze focused on me as he beckoned forward.
I yanked free of Lee and marched to the desk, trying my best not to tremble at the sight of the half-dozen other men standing around. Some were sitting at tables doing god knows what, but all eyes were on me.
The boss gave me a cold smile. “Lee noticed you come in, and I just had to finally meet you face to face.” He waved to me. “The famous Jill.”
A few people chuckled as I curled my hands into fists. I wanted to punch him in his smug face, but most of all, I didn’t want to tremble in front of any of them. “Well, we’ve met. Can I go now?”
He ignored my comment as he got to his feet and put out his hand. “My name is Noah.”
