Page 15 of Villainous
“Why?” I ask before taking a sip of my wine.
“We grew apart, and he works in the LA territory.”
I nod in understanding. I haven’t heard from Shelby, Devious’s ex-girlfriend. Last I heard, they were engaged. She and I were really close, to the point we would tell each other secrets, but I hated her friend, Zeta. She hated me because Villainous proposed to me instead of her. She was the definition of a mean girl back then. She would do all kinds of shit to me. Stuff condoms in my bookbag. Wrote “slut” on my locker. I hope life is kicking her ass. I haven’t seen Shelby since the day before I ran away from home.
“What happened to Shelby?” I ask. “Devious is married to that young girl.”
What was her name? Rosie or Roselyn? I can’t remember.
“She died.” His tone is lazy, as if it’s normal conversation at a dinner table.
Pain erupts in my chest like a volcano, and tears sting my eyes.
“W-what?”
“She died a couple of years ago. She was shot and killed.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. My best friend was shot, and I wasn’t around to be there for her. How could I be so selfish? I thought cutting off Villainous and everyone who associated with him was the right thing to do, but…but hearing I didn’t get to say goodbye to her hurts like hell. The last thing I told her was to stay the hell out of my parents’ business. She told me my da was trying to sleep with her, but I didn’t want to believe her. I didn’t want her to cause more pain to my ma than I already had. She was already heartbroken at the fact that Da wasn’t going to leave my stepma for her. Shelby tried to contact me a few times after I left, but I blocked her number.
“By whom?”
Villainous’s expression is flat. “We don’t know. Now, hurry up and eat your food. We have to go.”
I missed so much over the last decade. Fat tears continue to roll down my face, and I use the backs of my hands to wipe them away.
We continue to eat our meal in silence, and I swallow the last bit of my drink. Once my plate is empty, he snatches me by the arm, yanking me out of the chair. As we make it to the laundry room, he pulls my thick Burberry jacket from the coat hutch and slides it over my shoulders. He brushes my hair to the side, then entwines his fingers with mine, and we leave. He leads me to the three-car garage, and his driver opens the door to the back seat of the Tesla SUV. I slide in, strapping my seat belt on. Three other bodyguards I don’t recognize get in the front and middle row. I shouldn’t be so thrilled to go out because that’s part of normal lives, but I can’t help it. I look forward to the little things in life because Villainous robbed me of it. He controls everything I do and say and eat and wear. And it’s getting more unbearable by the second. I hate living like a damn prisoner every second of the day.
My mind wanders to Shelby and how her life ended. I feel so guilty for not being there for her in her final days. Maybe I could have saved her. Maybe I could have prevented it. If I ever get out of here, I’m going to find her killer and make them pay for what they did. My ma always told me it was my biggest flaw trying to save everyone. I can’t, but still. I wish I could hold Shelby and tell her how sorry I am for lashing out at her. That’s the one thing about death. Once the people you love are gone, there is no bringing them back.
For the rest of the ride, I remain quiet, trapped in my own thoughts. Villainous plays on his phone, clearly ignoring my presence. I try to ignore his presence too, but it’s hard. Every fiber in my body is ready to go off like a bomb. My breath hitches as I cross my legs, yanking the skintight dress over my knee. Snow falls freely from the pitch-dark sky. Thirty minutes later, the driver parks at an abandoned warehouse, but different expensive cars pack the parking lot. This place looks sleazy and reeks of every vile thing that’s out there. Once we’re out of the car, Villainous faces me, tucking his hands in his pockets.
“When we get inside, do not speak to anyone. Not a soul. If someone speaks to you, then you don’t respond. Am I clear, little dove?”
I fold my arms across my chest, wrinkling my jacket. “Why am I here?”
“You will be representing my merchandise.”
I knit my eyebrows together. “Meaning?”
He takes my hand, pulling me close. The gesture seems intimate, but I know it’s to control me and keep me by his side. “You’re going to be the face of the women I’m going to sell.”
Anger courses through my blood, and I want to slap the shit out of him. It wouldn’t be wise for me to talk back; I was just punished for running away, and I don’t know what his next punishment will be. What’s worse than being denied food and orgasms?
“If I behave, will you allow me to come?”
He chuckles, and he pulls our joined hands to his mouth and brushes his lips over the back of my hand. “That’s what I love about you. You always think you’re in control. Do you need a reminder of who’s the boss here?”
I shake my head.
He strokes my cheeks. “You put on your best performance, and I’ll make you come so hard, it’ll put you to sleep.”
Performance? What the hell is he speaking about?
“Bear in mind, if you do anything stupid like, let’s say, run away, I’ll shock the shit out of you with the collar.” He removes a small remote from his pocket.
There is no escape from him in this place, and no one here will save me. So, I will not take my chances of him ending my life sooner than expected.
We stroll into the building, and Villainous types in a code and the door slides open. Once we’re inside, the warehouse appears different than from the outside. Waitresses wear red lingerie, and waiters wear red boxers with a bow tie around their necks. They are passing out champagne in crystal glasses and finger food to the guests. Techno music blasts from the speakers, and the dance floor is packed with people. Women wear expensive, elegant gowns, and men wear designer suits. Strippers hiding their faces behind specially designed masks dance in cages that hang from the ceiling. People have collars around them, and their owners have a leash wrapped around their fingers, their pets wearing close to nothing. This is an upscale nightclub, and it’s probably the most sleazy place in the area. I’ve stripped in clubs like this. The men and women tip real good, but they don’t take no for an answer when they want sex. I never cross the line and sleep with a client, except for Chuck. He was the only person who didn’t make me feel like trash.
