All Chapters of Run, Camille, Run: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

MATTEO I gritted my teeth as the lash of the whip landed hard on my back— a searing pain that burned through my whole body. My hands were tied, chained to the floor and my ankles weren't left out. My knees were numb from having knelt too long. I couldn't even remember the time. The sun was up when I walked into my father's study, ready for my punishment and now it was dark. I was tired, hungry and my body ached everywhere. The lashes kept coming, each time hotter than the last. Johnny and Frankie each took their turn with me. Those motherfuckers must be seething with joy seeing me in this state. Father's punishment was always like this. Cold. Hard. Endless. My stomach grumbled for food— I was given nothing all day. This was his attempt to break me. I could feel the old man's anger from where he sat somewhere in the room— his usual spot was behind his desk, watching with hawk eyes, waiting for me to break down, to plead for mercy but he knew better. I heard something open— maybe

CAMILLE The silence of the room echoed back at me. It wasn't until Matteo walked away that I realized I may have taken things too far. My hand stung from the impact— a sharp pain in my palm. These things required training of some kind, because why was I starting to bleed? The man I hit had slumped on the table but was now starting to get up. I stepped back, frightened of what he might do to me. He groaned, holding his head as he rose to full height and glared at me. “I'm gonna make sure you pay for that,” he threatened as he stared at the blood on his hands. I glanced in Matteo's direction but he was already walking into a room, leaving behind the mess I had dug myself in. I gulped as I realized my predators were watching me with the intention to pounce. Now that he was out of the room, their bravery rekindled and they started to get on their feet. I was suddenly yanked by the shirt in a tight grip and he pulled me towards him with a sneer on his lips. My heart almost flew out an

CAMILLE Soft music filled the air and I let the soft tunes sway my body here and there. Be as free as a feather, Madame would always say. I twirled around the pole, lifting my eyes from my bandaged hands and keeping my feet on the ground. All the stretches and morning exercises worked. I felt lighter— or was it last night that did the trick? Something about the way he stared at me brought up this bubbly feeling in my chest. My whole body burned with need. I ran my hand down my body like I'd watched the girls do a lot of times. Men worked with visuals and they liked a naughty little thing. Not my words, but theirs. He must like this too. Why open a strip club and not partake in it? I thought of his eyes that never left my face, lips that parted slightly like he could kiss me. Last night was different and new, something I'd never felt before but only seen in movies I peaked on. Wanted. I pressed the pole between my thighs and slowly moved in and out trying to lighten up my body.

MATTEOTurned out, she really did cry to her father about me but what did I even do? She said it was okay to leave. Jeez! And here I thought the younger generation of women were finally gonna mean their words.“She said I could leave,” I explained to Luca again as my phone blasted off annoyingly.I had lost count of how many calls I've missed from the old man. The date was two days ago, he wouldn't stop calling.“Just answer the damn phone before he calls me,” Luca whined. “I don't have the balls to leave him unanswered.”Did I care? No. I threw my feet on the table and relaxed on the chair. “Relax, he wouldn't-”The door burst open and one of my men rushed in looking like a scared puppy.“What?” I growled at him. “Don't you know how to knock?”“I-It’s the boss!” He trembled, holding out his phone. He looked terrified of just one phone call. Only a mad man like Russo could make that happen.These lots feared him like a plague. They were this close to calling him a god. That's if they

MATTEO“It's not bad at all,” Loretta's squeaky voice and British accent caught my attention and I stopped scanning the room for a second.There were drinks on the table. What else was I looking for? I knew the damn place like I knew a woman's body. Why did I keep searching the room?Veronica should change the damn seats. They were uncomfortable against my ass.The spoiled thing had glued herself by my side. Who wears a sundress to a club? I was convinced she was just hellbent on putting up a decent reputation.“I heard you handpicked the girls.”“What about it?” I poured myself a glass of whiskey, swirling the cup before I brought it to my lips, scanning the room again.Where the hell is she? Isn't she supposed to be working and where did that guy go?“They're good,” was all she said. “That one is drawing a lot of attention.”Typical for Eloise. She's my best girl. Where did I rescue her from again? Fuck. It was so long ago but her debt had already been paid for years now, still she