Ashlynn's POV: Dancing on stage tonight felt like things were going back to normal. Sure it was a job that I didn't like because of the audience, but it was fun to dance. Being on that stage helped me forget everything for a little while. All I had to listen to was the music and my body did the rest. As weird as it sounds, and as much as I want a different job, dancing was relaxing to me. It cleared my mind, which allowed for my internal demons to go away. What happened tonight wasn't a first, and it probably wasn't going to be the last. If men find something that they want, they'll get it by doing whatever they can. Their pride and pleasure is worth more than anything. Men love to be in control. I've had similar experiences at Divine. Where a drunk customer comes to the back and tries to have his way with me. No matter how many times I refuse they just think it's a game. I mean, if I'm a stripper I have to be a slut right? The job comes
I told Jill I would try to eat more, but it's hard to eat when you're scared or nervous. And right now I'm feeling both. Why do I have to meet up with Mr. Cutler? I told him everything was fine if we kept it down low. If he wants me to go back to work I will, I just don't see why we have to meet in his office. Privately. That's the part that scares me the most. I can't just ignore the time before I was released from the room downstairs. He hurt me. I'll have a scar on my cheek for the rest of my life because he had the wrong girl. So, I'm scared to be alone with him again. Last night was different, he saved me from the man and didn't try to do anything afterwards. But today is a new day. I break away from my train of thought when I hear the sound of a chair being pushed back. I look up and see that Mr. Cutler has already finished and is now leaving the room. I glance down at my plate and realize I've barely eaten half, but I don't want to keep him waiting. So I stand u
"Are you ready?" Felicity asks me as she fixes my hair. "Yep!" I say with a smile. There's a part of me that's scared of what happened, but the other part of me is telling me that I'm strong and can do this. So I'm getting ready to go out on stage and dance. Just like how I used to at Divine. "Perfect, you'll enter stage right tonight," she tells me. "I'll meet you backstage right as you end your dance." "Thank you," I tell her and she nods. "Now go out there and shake your ass!" She grins and I can't help but let out a small giggle before I turn myself to go out on stage. I hear the bass of the music start and I walk out on stage in my five inch heels. The outfit tonight is a vibrant blue, I think it brings out my eyes. Not that anyone is looking at my eyes while I dance. I don't care what they think and look at, I only care about what I think. And I think this outfit goes great with my eyes. I go to the very end of the stage to begin my dance. I drop slowly into a s
Gage's POV: "Why are you still at the club young man? You have a flight that leaves at seven in the morning!" Jill yells at me over the phone. "I'm just double checking security," I reply. "I'll be back soon." "You better," she says and I can't help but chuckle. "Mother will be home tomorrow with Vince. You can complain about me with her," I say and Jill only lets out a groan. "Goodnight Jill." "Get home Gage," she says before she hangs up. I smile before I tuck my phone back in my pocket. The girls have brought me a fresh drink and I swirl it around in the glass. The dancers are about to come back out on stage again. I have no idea why I feel the need to stay here. Why I feel the need to see Ashlynn. This need wasn't there when I first saw Ashlynn when my men kidnapped her. But after last night and hearing what she's said to me, I want to see her. Loud music begins to play and my eyes avert to the stage. Dancers come out and I scan the stage to find Ashlynn. She's
Ashlynn's POV: When I'm done with work for the night I take one of the club's cars home. There are cars for the workers to use if they don't have their own, and it doesn't cost anything. It's actually really useful because I have no idea when I get paid and I'm currently just getting money from tips. I do tip the driver some cash, it feels rude not to. The driver refused but I ended up dropping the cash on the middle console before getting out of the car. I enter the house and I'm careful to be quiet. I know half of the house is awake, but I don't want to wake anyone. So I have to sneak off to my bedroom, waving at the guards politely. With the amount of guards here you'd think we were at the royal palace in England. But it's nice having security, it makes me feel safe in a sense. Especially since I'm so new here. In all honesty, what I said to Mr. Cutler tonight is true. I do forgive him, after all I only saw him a couple times during my imprisonment and all I ended up with w
Gage's POV: "They've got him Gage, he's locked in the basement," Alex tells me. "About fucking time," I growl and stand up from my bed. We do business with the Tokyo Mafia, and they've graciously let us stay in their guest house while we are here. Hayato, the Tokyo Mafia leader, has allowed me to borrow some of his men to bring in Amida. Amida is a cartel man who is helping Iris. And lucky for us, we've found him. "Iris was no where in the building that Amida was found in," Alex tells me as we walk downstairs. "Hayato's men have raided the place, just drugs and weapons." "I don't understand where the hell this woman disappears to," I growl and we arrive downstairs. I go into the room that Amida is in and smirk when I see him tied up in a chair. He looks defeated. Good. "Amida, we could've done such great business together. Too bad your ego is too fucking huge." "You stupid man," Amida spits out at me with a smirk. "I'd be careful with that mouth of yours. I'm the one
Ashlynn's POV: "I'm shocked on how quickly you figured out the house," Tori says as we enter the kitchen. "It's a maze here." "I'm pretty good at memorizing things," I shrug. "Plus, it's not awfully hard to remember." "You've only been working for five days," Tori says. "I remember when I first started working here. It took me a month at least." "If you don't mind me asking," I say, grabbing myself an apple off the counter, "how'd you start working here." "I was at a homeless shelter a few years back. Mr. Cutler goes through homeless shelters a few times a year and offers people jobs," she tells me. "I was extremely malnourished at the time. I remember feeling how my bones would feel as though they were breaking through the skin. Anyway, Mr. Cutler found me sitting on the steps of the shelter and had me taken to the closest hospital. He then offered me a job as a maid here. Now I'm here four years later, extremely grateful." "I would've never guessed that," I say, hon
"Thanks again for helping me last night," Kylie says as we set the food on the table. Dinner is nearing and we're told Mr. Cutler will be joiing us. He's already on his way back from his trip, so the house has been hectic. Everyone is preparing for his arrival; you'd think a prince would be coming. The house has been cleaned so you can see your reflection on any surface, and it looks like a feast is laid out on the table. I've never seen this much food in my life. "It was no problem," I tell her with a smile. "I'm happy to help." "Sorry if this is overstepping boundaries, but do you only work as a maid?" She asks nervously. "Cause I remember seeing you last week but not over the weekend. It's just, we usually don't have weekends off unless it's vacation time or what not." "Oh! I'm a dancer at the club or whatever Mr. Cutler has," I tell her. "It's quite fun to work there." "I'd never be able to. Getting up on stage in minimal clothing? That's terrifying," she says and her
"Morning angel." Gage mutters against my cheek before he placed a soft kiss against it. "Morning." I reply with a smile. "It's your turn to give Addie a bath." "I think it's your turn." Gage replies as he buries his face into his pillow. "Gage, get your ass out of bed. We have places to be." I say and push the blankets off of me. Lily's dance competition is today, and since it's Sunday it's starting at ten. We have to be there earlier to make sure Lily is ready for when she needs to go on stage. "I'll be getting Lily and Roland ready." I tell him. "If you're not out of bed by the time I'm done showering, I'm literally going to kick your ass." "Yeah, yeah." he mumbles and I just roll my eyes before I go to the bathroom. I set the water to the temperature I want it to be at before I get in. I turn my back towards the shower head and close my eyes as the water hits my body. After a moment I open my eyes
Ashlynn's POV: "I'm nervous," I admit as Alex and I are behind the large doors. "Believe me when I say Gage is too," Alex responds. "He's been paranoid for the past week." "I'd never leave him, he shouldn't be worried," I respond. "And he'd never leave you, so you shouldn't be worried," Alex replies. "It is normal to be nervous on your wedding day, hell I was shaking." "Is it scary to be in front of everyone?" I ask. "When you see Gage it'll seem like it's just the two of you in the room," Alex tells me. "This day is going to go just as you want it to.""I'm sweating," I admit. "The music needs to start." "Patience is a virtue," Alex teases and I can't help but smile. "Shut up," I mumble and Alex just chuckles. "Thank you for doing this. Ya know, walking me down the aisle." "I'm honored you asked me to. You're like my little sister Ash
"Dad, hurry up! She'll be awake soon!" Lily rushes me as I stack the pancakes on the plate. "I'm going," I chuckle at her impatience. It's been almost two years since I've adopted Lily. Today is currently Ashlynn's birthday and she's turning twenty-six. We've been dating for two years, but I've really wanted to propose to her for a while. Lily decided to concoct a plan because Lily has a gift for Ashlynn too. "Finally, lets go," Lily says as she holds the papers in her hands tightly. I grab the breakfast and we head up to my room. Ashlynn is curled up on the bed with Loki and Thunder. Thunder is another dog, Lily somehow convinced me that Loki needed a friend right before her first Christmas here. But now the damn dogs love to sleep in my room."Loki, Thunder," I whisper and the two dogs look over at me. I pat my leg and they both jump off the bed. Good, I didn't want them begging Ashlynn for her food. "Thank god she's s
"Gage, where's Ashlynn?" Lily asks as I drive towards the hospital. Today is the day that I get to take Lily home. We just left the orphanage, all her belongings are in the trunk and she's strapped in to her booster seat. "She has to do some work, but we'll see her later," I tell Lily. "Where are we going?" Lily asks. "We're going to see my grandma, your great grandma," I tell her. "She's sick so she has to stay with the doctors to get better." "That's sad," Lily says and her bottom lip pouts slightly. "Can we get her a present? Presents always make me feel better." "You can pick out anything you'd like," I say, turning right. "Gage," she says and I glance in the rear view mirror to see her looking at her lap. "Are you okay Lily?" I ask and she nods her head slowly."Since you adopted me you said I was a part of your family," Lily says quietly. "You are Lily," I tel
Gage's POV: "Are you sure this is what you want to get Lily? I mean I'm sure she'd appreciate a dinosaur puzzle or something," I say as Ashlynn walks down the pathway of kennels. The dogs are all coming to the fence and sticking their noses through the little holes. "Oh I definitely want to get her a dog," she responds. "The only question is which one?" I groan as she goes up to a fence full of little puppies. I'd rather have a dog than a puppy. She grins as she squats down, putting her hand against the fence so they can all smell it. After she plays with them for a few minutes she continues walking but she abruptly stops. A large dog is sitting in the corner of his kennel, his head is downcast. "Oh goodness he's adorable," Ashlynn sighs as she goes to the fence. She makes some noises with her tongue, which gets the dogs attention. "Hi buddy, come here." The dog hesitated before it came to the fence and quickly
"Gage you took soooo long!" Lily exclaims, dragging out the "o" in so as Gage walks in with Reagan and Charolette. "I drew something for you. Look!" "Thank you Lily," Gage says as he takes the drawing of the dog Lily made. "Can I talk to you for a second?" "Uh oh am I in trouble? Are you not gonna come back? I promise to be good." Lily says and you can see the worry in her eyes. Her bottom lip starts to quiver as she holds back tears. "Come here," Gage says and squats down so he's closer to Lily's level. Lily jumps off her chair and runs into Gage's arms. She wraps her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. Gage holds her tightly and closes his eyes. "You've done nothing wrong Lily." "Are you gonna leave me?" Lily whispers and Gage pulls apart from the hug and grabs her small hands."I'm not going to leave you Lily," Gage says. "I've been talking with Miss Reagan and Miss Charolette a lot about you
Ashlynn's POV: I'm scared. I never really communicated with Lily, but with what Gage asked me today, I need to get to know her better. Today has just been a day full of shocks. He loves me. Gage loves me. I was not ready for him to say that. I'm not mad, but boy was it surprising. I can feel my cheeks heating up just thinking about it. Goodness! Maybe the shower is too hot actually. I've been standing under the burning water for more than a few minutes by now. I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my body and my hair. I go to my room and look through my clothes to figure out what to wear. If I'm meeting Lily I don't want to be wearing a dress, what if she wants to play? I need to find a nice pair of pants. I know Gage is going to dress down, so I will a little, but not a lot.I finally pick out a pair of black jeans and I find a cute white top, and I pair it wit
It's nearing the middle October and I've never had such a calm period with my business. I have a feeling that it won't last like this for long, but I'm taking it while I can. Everything in regards with Lily's adoption has been going smoothly. I'm going to announce it to my siblings tonight, seeing as I kept pushing it off. "Why are we all in your office?" Vince asks as he lays on the couch. I can see dad roll his eyes but not say anything. Jenna takes a seat in the chairs and her hand instinctively goes to her stomach. She's a few months pregnant now and she has a small baby bump. "Oh sorry I'm late!" Ashlynn runs into my office, almost tripping over her own feet. "I got caught up with some cleaning." "It's fine," I tell her as she walks over to me. I lean down and kiss her cheek as she grins up at me. "Hello? You gonna answer my question, or are we just going to sit here?" Vince speaks up."You're an annoying prick, you
"Are you sure I shouldn't wear a suit? I feel like I should wear one," I say to Ashlynn as she rolls the sleeves of the black long sleeve shirt she picked out for me. "You are meeting a little girl, not a business partner," she smiles and her hands cup my cheeks. "You need to look like a dad, not a lawyer." "I've never felt more terrified in my life," I admit and lean down to rest my forehead against hers. "It's okay to be scared. I'll be right by your side," she comforts me. "Besides, you get to meet a beautiful little girl today that you want to have as you daughter. It's okay to be scared about becoming a parent." "Do you think I'm ready for it? You know, parenthood?" I ask and she lightly presses her lips to mine for a few moments."I think you are completely ready, you just need to trust yourself," she states. "There's still time before everything finalized as well. Right now you are just meeting her."