Page 9 of Pain and Pleasure

I back away from him and point my hairbrush towards the bedroom door.

"I mean it, Dante. I need space. Please."

He doesn't move an inch and I sigh, my eyes now pleading with him.

"I'm asking you nicely. Just... please."

He stares at me for a while longer, standing there in silence, but I know there are words frozen on his tongue. Words that he chooses to swallow because eventually he walks away and out of the bedroom.

I turn to finish brushing my hair when Ricky then walks in, raising his eyebrows at me.

"I'm not going to ask why Mr. Yummy and Terrifying just left your bedroom, because I'm already sure that I have the answer."

I stay silent and keep brushing my hair, yanking the knots out with force. I guess alone time wasn't happening tonight. No offense to Ricky, every time that we have a chance to talk, Dante's already gotten to me first. My mood is already sour by the time I see my friend.

He leans against my closet doorway, mesmerized but trying to keep his concern for me in his features. I sit down at the vanity chair and look at him.

"I know you have questions for me." My voice sounds so tired. He picks up on it and gives me a sympathetic look.

"I do, but I won't bombard you with them now. No offense baby, but you look like the dead."

I laugh at him, but it's humorless and empty sounding. He gets up and hugs me, his long and lanky arms wrapping around me. I feel so comfortable like this, so comfortable that I start to cry. Breathy, shaking sobs that come from deep within my belly.

"I want to tell you everything." I get out between sobs. He just holds me tighter in response. I wipe my eyes and take slow and steady breaths before I speak again.

"I want to tell you so much, but I can't risk your life. You're all I have besides my mom, and I barely even have her. He's got control of everything, Ricky. Even my heart."

The dam holding back the rest of my tears breaks again, but I don't let the flood last long. After a few minutes, my tears subside and Ricky pulls back to look at me, a small smile on his face.

"I see the way he looks at you, Em. He's obsessed with you. If you play your cards right, you could have him wrapped around your little finger."

He kisses my fingertip and I scoff in disbelief.

"I'm serious. No matter how terrifying a man is, he's still a man. And when his desire for a woman is as overpowering as his is for you, then you have the key to whatever door you want to open. You just have to be smart and careful in order to get that key."

He's not wrong, but am I strong enough to be able to do that? To be able shut my heart off and get what I want from him? I need answers regarding my father, and I need answers regarding Dante himself. Because I need to know what I'm up against.

"I need to be able to see what's beneath his layers. I need to be able to crack him."

Ricky messes with my hair before going to my closet and playing with the contents of my wardrobe. The smile on his face makes one appear on mine as well.

"Then put your silky little heart to bed and let your mind come out to play. Protect everything at all costs, but play smart and play dirty with him, Emmie."

Play dirty with him. How the fuck do I even do that?

"Can you help me, Ricky?" I ask.

He turns around with a Versace piece held up to his chest, his eyes round with excitement.

"Oh, absolutely. I'm bored already anyways."

5

Esmeralda

It'smorning and thanks to both Ricky and the bourbon, I was able to sleep just fine.

It's Sunday and my online classes start tomorrow as well as Ricky's internship. He meets with Marianne this evening at dinner. Sergio woke us both up to inform us. I stretch like a cat and decide to make my first move with Dante this morning. I've never played the role of a seductress, but with Ricky's guidance last night, I feel empowered enough to try.

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