Chapter 123Katie's POVWhat I’m saying here is that Tina will be safe there for a while, and you will be protected, too. In the meantime, something else might come up and whisk this prick away. I’m talking about Anthony here. If it’s a pressing matter as it seems to be, he’ll have to make a different plan,” I say, hoping that I’m right.The more I think about it, the more I wish I’d take Cephus Salla up on his offer and have Beau Anthony finished and abandoned in the desert.That would’ve solved so many of my problems.It’s possible that fact alone would’ve brought more dangerous men to my door, but that seemingly happens anyway.How can this go to hell so damn quickly? How? And it’s all because of this man.“What do you say?” I murmur, afraid I wasn’t convincing enough, and she might change her mind.Her answer comes after a few seconds.She sounds like she’s away from her phone.“I’m packing as we speak,” she says, and a warm sensation sweeps through me.“How long would it take yo
Chapter 124Katie's POVThe club is spectacular at night.I saw it when I toured the place today with the rest of the new hires, and it didn’t look like it does now.Aerial dancers perform, flashing their limber bodies, supple muscles, and sequined costumes.A huge dance floor spreads out in the middle, and mirrored walls reflect the lights, tables, two packed bars in the back, and exotic dancers on the platforms.The lights alone are a show in itself, and the bursts of confetti make everything look like a joyful celebration.But what is Las Vegas, if not that?Impressive bouncers keep a tight eye on the crowd and everything is under control, whether it’s the people approaching the entrance or the patrons inside.I get the hang of it quickly, taking orders, bringing the food to the table, and pocketing the tips. Around eleven, my direct boss signals me to go in the back.Those rooms are less noisy and more private, and people gamble over there, so the vibe is different.I enter a corr
Chapter 125Katie's POVThere’s not a smidgen of light in here, and the room looks like a frozen grave.And I have nothing on me to help me with that.Wait… My phone.I slide my hand inside my pocket and pull it out. The bluish light of the screen is not a lot, but it’s still something.I shouldn’t use it now, though.I need to stay put until they leave before I look for that switch, open it up, and get out of here.What a terrible turn of events.I put my phone back into my pocket, spin around, and press my spine against the sealed entrance, listening to their voices.They’re in the other room.All men.Heavy steps, baritone tones.They don’t sound like customers or employees.Hopefully, they’ll finish their business quickly so I can get out of my spot.I swear I’ll never do this again if I get out of here unharmed.Stupid, stupid move on my part.Someone barks orders in the other room, and I straighten at once, tense.My hair stands up as what sounds like an altercation unfolds outs
Chapter 126Katie's POVThe Russian looked at me and then at Cephus, whose eyes could cut through glass.Panting, I notice eight men in the room. The ones working for Cephus and a few others who look liRussiansRussian.They have scarred faces, cold gray eyes, and bulky frames.Cephus’s men have guns.A scar splits the Russian’s upper lip. He looks rough, void of emotions.Next to him, Beau Anthony looks like an angel.“Do you know this woman?” he asks, staring at Cephus, baffled.“She works for me,” Cephus says, moving away from us.I can’t see his face, but his voice suggests he’s angry, disappointed, and concerned.“Works for you?” the Russian says, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Is she clean? Are you sure her presence here doesn’t have anything to do with me?”His smirk is long gone when he flicks his arm, grabs the back of my hair, and pulls it down.I stumble, my hands clawing at the air.“Are you with the FBI? Who are you darling?” the Russian barks, everything happening in a sec
Chapter 127Katie's POVThe tension is so high that it feels like a clap of thunder is about to detonate in the room.“And don’t worry,” he goes on, although no one knows what he means by that, and looking around the room, no one seems to care, let alone be worried about him. “I’ll get my money back. When I’m done convincing her it’s in her best interest to stay silent, the right client will pay me double to take ownership of her.”My stomach clenches with apprehension.No matter how much I try to keep my cool, I feel like I’m about to die. Images of me being tossed around from one crazy, disgusting man to another while living a life of abuse and servitude and condemning my little sister to a similar fate bring the bible to my mouth.I feel so sick I stagger on my feet, and all I need right now is to bend over, hold my hair back, and discard all the food I had for dinner.The fear simmering in my veins is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. The thought that this man would get to touc
Chapter 128Katie's POVThere were boys before him, but kisses leading to nothing wouldn’t count.I couldn’t let them do their thing. I had an innate distrust for men and disliked the idea of being physical with them.Doing that with anyone was a big deal for me.Yet this is not that. I mean, this could happen at the airport. Right?But no matter how I spin it, this done by Cephus is an entirely different matter.So, no wonder my nails scrape the wall, and my legs shake when he pulls up behind me, and his body heat rolls over me.Electrical currents zip through my skin while his body heat makes me sweat despite the air conditioning in the room.It’s like the air between us has created a magnetic field that pulls us toward each other and me back into his chest.A mix of fear, anticipation, and unfamiliar titillation sweeps through me.I’ve been close to him before.I asked him to stay with me last night so I could sleep.He lay on the bed next to me, and his hand rested on my head.I f
Chapter 129Cephus’ POVThe room is cold as I take my jacket off and put it on the back of my chair behind my desk.Quietly, I move around the room, going through the motions, thoughts spinning in my head.I’ve made a mistake.I don’t regret it. I’m just aware of it and the fact that there may be consequences.Amber-colored liquor slides into my glass at the bar before I take a swig and saunter back to my desk.I settle into my seat and move my eyes to the computer screens.Without thinking twice, I reach inside my jacket, and for the first time in a few months, I pull out a cigarette, search inside a drawer, retrieve my favorite metal lighter, and light it.I take a long drag and instantly hate it.I don’t like the smell, the taste.I thought it would give me some clarity, a boost of energy, and some relief.Instead, it fucks with my brain.That’s what happens when you take a break from something.Annoyed, I tossed the pack in the garbage, greenbacks, feet onto my desk, my gaze train
Chapter 130Katie's POVThe Russian used me to get stuff from Cephus and fuck with him.Everybody knows you don’t fuck with people like Cephus.It’s true. I, o smart when I fucked with people like Beau‘Dick’Anthony. At least, I was desperate, and that was my justification at the time.The Russian wasn’t desperate.He acted all surprised and antsy, yet in the end, he was mostly amused. Especially when he collected the money.I saw how Salla looked at him.Any street-smart dick could tell you and Russians didn't; he was convinced Salla wouldn’t do shit to him. I don’t know if Cephus would gain anything from finishing that guy.Maybe that’s why the Russians weren’t afraid to do with how he has positioned himself in their world.But my fretting isn’t about him.It’s about me and how I’m stuck here without a car, a plan, or a real possibility of escape.I have to sleep on it, and maybe I’ll get an idea of how to proceed tomorrow morning.First, I need a new phone, and then I need to collec