Page 14 of Slay Me

“Hey! You got her out!” Apollo cheers, throwing both hands in the air.

Harriss shakes his head and mutters something that I can’t quite make out. Since he doesn’t much care for me, though, I imagine not knowing is likely a good thing.

“Oh look, Master let his pet off the chain,” Valentina comments dryly.

“Ignore her.” Apollo stands and offers me his chair then grabs another and pulls it over to sit beside me.

“I’ll order for you.” Fiona squeezes my arm gently then leaves and disappears into the crowd of people around the counter.

I bounce my knees while I scan the room, searching for any possible exits should I end up stuck in here with someone who recognizes me. The back door will do some good, though that will likely stick me in the alley behind where I could be trapped.

The front door is only an option if I can sneak out without being spotted. A chair scoots across the floor, and I jump.

“You okay?” Apollo’s lips are right beside my ear. I try like hell not to pull away, but the need to put distance between us is overwhelming. There areso manypeople here. Why are there so many people?

“Fine.” My response is short.

Right now, I’m closer to free than I have been since I sought shelter at the Circus, yet I’ve never felt more vulnerable. How twisted is it that I feel safer in the belly of the beast than on the streets of the place that used to be my home?

“Here you go.” Fiona sets my coffee down in front of me then slides across from me, beside Harriss.

“Thanks.” Lifting the paper cup, I press it to my lips and take a drink. The hot liquid slips down my throat, bitter but so damn delicious.

“How was last night?” Apollo questions.

The entire table falls silent, and Valentina turns her full attention to me. Making it a point to hold her gaze, I smile. “It was perfect. He loves my performances.”

“I’ll bet he does.” Fiona winks, and Valentina glares at her.

“Hopefully, he’ll find someone new and stop this ridiculous expectation.” Apollo’s words are laced with anger. Honestly, the idea that one day I won’t have to perform anymore leaves me feeling emptier than I care to admit. Is that how Valentina feels? Used then tossed aside? If she wasn’t such a bitch, I might feel bad for her.

“It’s only a matter of time,” she sneers and stands. “Time to go.”

Apollo groans. “Already?”

“Yes.”

“But I just got here.” My free hand tightens into a fist.

Valentina grins at me. “Little pet so used to her chain she’s terrified to be off of it?”

“Fuck off, Val,” Fiona snaps. When she turns to me, her expression is softer. “You going to be okay?”

Not really.But I don’t want to prove Valentina wrong, so I nod and stand.

My chest tightens as I face the door.Let’s do this.The five of us step out onto the street, and immediately, the vulnerability sets in. Both palms begin to sweat, so I wipe my free hand on my tattered jeans then swap the coffee to the other and repeat the gesture.

The walk should take only about five minutes.

But I know, from personal experience, a lot can happen in five minutes. Every hair on the back of my neck stands on end. Stopping in my tracks, I turn and search our surroundings for whoever is watching me.

There’s no one there. No one watching.

“You okay?”

Forcing a smile, I turn back to Apollo. “Of course.”

He wraps an arm around my shoulders, and we continue walking.

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