Page 16 of The Vengeance You Crave
"Be careful with those guys, I don't like the way they look at you."
"I've got this, Bry. You don't need to worry about me." I put as much confidence into my voice as possible, covering the fact on the inside I'm a terrified wreck who would rather hide in a dark closet than serve those sleazy jerks. But that's not going to pay the medical bills that are racking up faster than I can cope with.
Throwing my shoulders back and holding my head up high, I make my way over.
* * *
As expected, under the disgusting stares of the regulars, my night drags. Even the banter with Bry doesn't turn my night around, and by the time my shift comes to an end, I can't run out of the building fast enough.
Thankfully, my fan club left about fifteen minutes ago, allowing me to step out of the back door of the club without too much concern about them still being back here. From the amount they all put away, there's no way they should be anywhere near a car anyway.
But as I take my first steps toward my car, I can't ignore the shiver that races down my spine.
The majority of the parking lot is illuminated by the security lights lining the building, but there are still plenty of dark spots that someone could hide in if they wanted to.
My eyes fly around in the hope of seeing whatever it is that's making all my hairs stand on end, but I don't see anyone. The parking lot is mostly empty, just a couple of the regular’s cars who are still inside along with the remaining staff.
Swallowing down my fear, I continue forward. I tell myself that it's just the memory of the way those men looked at me tonight that has me on edge, but still, I don't believe it.
Someone is watching me.
Someone is—
The scream that erupts from my throat when a hot body presses against my back not a second later is cut off when a hand wraps around my mouth.
I'm shoved forward as my heart pounds so hard in my chest that I feel it in my toes.
My entire body trembles with fear.
Stupid, stupid girl,I think to myself. I knew I was playing with fire tonight in the hope of getting more tips, but all I've done is make them think they could take whatever they wanted.
I whimper beneath the hand as a strong arm wraps around my waist and I'm lifted from the ground.
I manage to get a look at the arm around me and even in the dull light, it's clear to see that it's not a suit jacket or even a shirt.
The man who has me is wearing a hoodie.
Oh God.
Together we slip into the darkness and somehow my pulse picks up even more speed knowing that even if someone did come back here, they'd never see us.
The front of my body presses up against a car and his long, hard body pins me in place.
"You didn't think I'd forgotten, did you?" a familiar voice growls in my ear.
The shudder of fear immediately turns into something else entirely as his breath caresses my ear and down my neck. Despite his obvious anger, there's still something there that calls to me, that feels right. Although everything about this is so very, very wrong.
I whimper again, wishing I was able to say something, anything, to get me out of this right now.
"I've been watching you, you know. Watching you leave every night. Wondering exactly who you've spent the night shaking your ass at for some cash."
Emotion clogs my throat, shame washing through me for the depths I've lowered myself to. Only a few months ago, I never would have considered a job like this. But needs must and all that.
"I guess it's true what they say, the apple never falls far from the tree."
No,I want to scream.
I know what people thought of my mom. I spent years having to endure the guys ribbing me over her job. But that's all it was. A job. A job to ensure that her girls had a roof over their heads and food in their bellies.
