Chapter 5

Jillian

Hushed whispers on the other side of the door. My heart continued to beat wildly in my chest. My hand was still attached to an IV pole, complete with clear fluids and another bag being mixed in with the tubing. I wanted to pull it out but was stopped by a hand.

Loukas’s warm hand touched my knuckles. “I wouldn’t do that, love. It’s giving you some nutrients you need.” His voice was soft and delicate, but it didn’t relieve the gasp that fell from my lips. He had come into the room so quickly and quietly; was my mind that foggy? Growing up with Master, I had to be quick-thinking and listen well. If I didn’t, it could mean punishment or facing the wrath of one of his men. I always had been on alert and now I wasn’t.

“Are you drugging me?” I whispered almost silently. Loukas furrowed his brows and sat on the bed next to me. Even though he hurt me emotionally, I still felt comfortable around him.

“No, Jillian, we would never do that. You were extremely dehydrated, and we did some blood tests. You are extremely malnourished.” Loukas looked over my form as I continued to shake out of fear and the coldness of the room.

“Are you cold? Do you need another blanket?” A blanket, I would have done almost anything to get a blanket over the years. Winters were rough at the club. Master didn’t want to pay for extra heating in the basement, saying a bit of shivering would keep us from getting too fat. Without saying a word, Loukas rose from the bed and grabbed a blanket hanging over a decorative chair and wrapped it around me.

“Thank you,” I murmured, and he just nodded.

“I’m sure you have questions,” Loukas rubbed his hands together between his legs, “but first you need to eat.” Loukas had a tray full of food that sat on a nearby dresser. It was complete with spaghetti noodles with meat sauce, garlic bread, a small salad, and a large glass of water. My mouth watered looking at it. That must be the most food ever to be presented in front of me. Loukas chuckled as he flipped the tray’s legs out and sat it in front of me on the bed. “Come on now, dig in.”

Loukas didn’t have to tell me twice as I untangled myself from wrapping my arms around me. I twirled my fork in the noodles and gathered as much sauce as I could. Once it dropped on my tongue, I was in instant heaven. I continued to eat like it was my last meal, but it wasn’t long until my stomach churned in protest. I had barely eaten five bites and I was already full.

Loukas had been watching me as I ate and noticed immediately stopping. “Jillian what’s wrong? Do you not like it?”

I shook my head as I bit my lip. “No, I’m just full. I don’t think I can eat another bite.”

“What? That’s impossible. You’ve barely eaten anything. Come on, you must eat more.” Loukas took my fork to put another large amount in my mouth, but I protested.

“That is the most I’ve ever eaten in a single day,” I whimpered. “I feel sick being this full.”

Loukas nodded with a sour expression and put the tray back on the dresser. “I know you are upset with me but let me tell you that our friendship is true and I was not there to buy you or anyone else in that hell hole.” I sat silently while I continued to look in my lap. “The club was under an investigation for certain criminal activities, and I noticed things not looking legit my first time being there. That first thing was you.” Tears welled up in my eyes as he talked about our first-time meeting.

“The first time I saw you, Jillian, you were eating off leftovers in the back alley.” I sobbed at how embarrassing it sounded. “I thought maybe you were homeless, but you walked back into the back entrance to the strip club, and low and behold you worked there!” Loukas threw his hands up. “In the line of work I’m in, I had to dig and find out more than just the human trafficking to save you. You won’t understand now, but later you will.” Loukas handed me a few tissues as my body began to shake. He sat beside me and put me into a side hug.

“Just know we are here now; we are going to keep you safe.” After a few moments and several hiccups later, things became quiet, and you could only hear the small drips from the IV still invading my system.

“Who is we?” I asked. My mind was racing a million miles a minute, albeit it was still foggy. Loukas admitted he tried to get me out, but couldn’t he have called the police and let them know about the trafficking? Maybe the authorities were in on it too, more so than I thought. There were cops that came to the club daily.

“Do you remember my friends from the club last night?” I nodded. Ares, Hermes, and Vulcan, were able to get all the girls out of there and back to their homes. They even found the transactions of where the other girls had gone as well. Hopefully, the FBI can find them.”

“What about your o-other friend?” The man that had come into my room only minutes ago was still sitting in the back of my mind.

“That was Hades,” Loukas said calmly. “He’s the one that really saved you.” I looked up at Loukas and gave a small smile.

“Tell him I said, ‘thank you,’ then.”

Loukas stood up and fixed his dress shirt. “How about, you tell him yourself? He is right outside the door.” My breath caught a little. The only guy I was comfortable with was Loukas. I hadn’t known Hades that long.

“Hey, hey, listen,” Loukas cooed. “I promise you, none of my friends would ever hurt you. Do you trust me?” I raised my knees to my chin and kept the blanket wrapped around me as I sniffed my nose in agreement. Loukas let out a big smile showing his teeth. “Hades, come in.”

Hades opened the door; the light wasn’t as bright in the hallway as it was before, so I was able to adjust my eyes to see his face. He looked tired and worried as he stepped into the room. His first three buttons on his shirt were unbuttoned. His black shirt was wrinkled, and his sleeves were rolled up to his forearms. He pulled up a chair at the end of the bed and leaned on it, looking at me with uncertainty and vulnerability.

“Hi,” I whispered and buried my nose into my knees so he could only see my eyes. Hades gave a small smile.

“Hey there.” His voice was like hearing gravel rumble in his chest.

“T-thank you. F-for saving me.” I gave a small smile back, hugging my knees tightly again.

“You are most welcome.” Hades held out his hand for me to take, I was still unsure of this man. He did buy me, but he hasn’t hurt me yet. Loukas gave an encouraging nudge when I glanced at him. I unwrapped one of my arms and placed my hand in Hades’.

Hades