Page 156 of Beautifully Ruined
She blushes hard. “We’ve ran into one another, but that doesn’t mean anything.”
“What did he say?”
“As long as we respect each other’s privacy and don’t talk about it, it’s fine.” She looks at the table. “He’s married after all, but so are a lot of the men in there. I just… I assumed he wanted me to be quiet because Cassandra doesn’t know.”
The tears shimmer, and one falls, and she dashes it away. “What if he didn’t want word out because he’s doing more? What if he’strying to get rid of his daughter? Because I didn’t think of it, but surely he'd know she worked there, too.”
“Hey.” I reach over the table and squeeze her arm. “We don’t know what’s happened. He might be innocent.”
“But we need to look at this as until proven innocent.” She lifts her chin.
“Or we just don’t know. And this isn’t on you. It’s not your fault, no matter what. But you can maybe help me find Gianna.”
“I’ll be working at the training center tonight. It’s summer, so the club is short-staffed right now. Girls come and go and more often they go in the warmer weather. Sugar daddies travel or they’ve saved up and they move on.”
Or something worse happens to them, but I keep that to myself.
“What if I ask Thomas for a job?”
She lights up. “Chances are he’ll say yes, and he’ll rush you through training to get you working as quickly as possible. You’re so pretty and young and fresh, you’ll be great.”
I nod. “I’ll ask him.” And then I force a smile. “Another glass of wine?”
Macy offers me a wavering smile. “Sure. “
I’ll get into that club, see Thomas, and ask him. Tonight, if I can. And I pray my new friend isn’t screwing me over.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
CADE
The last thingI fucking want is Vi putting herself on the line.
I wouldn’t put it past the training center being multiple levels. One where it is about being a hostess or a server or how to be with the men or even the women who are paying big bucks to be there.
But I know there are other layers to that place. Dank, vile layers. Both in the club and in the training center.
And I’m willing to bet I’m spot on about some of the training.
Of course, I use the term training loosely. The sex shit would be the girl taken in, done up, drugged or not, depending on the girl and the client’s preferences, and then sold to the highest bidder to break her in.
That shit happens.
More often than I ever want to think about.
And I do not want my girl anywhere near even a tenth of that scenario.
Because fuck that.
But if she’s so determined to get in there, then I need to outsmart her and beat her to it. Because if I’m totally honest, I don’t entirely trust her with her obeying me.
Will she go so far as to try and get in? I don’t think so. I hope not.
Now though, I think I’ve hit on the right plan. Something that’ll keep Vi safe.
I know she’s with that girl, Macy.
Of course, Vi didn’t tell me this. But she’s got to know I know. Got to know I read her messages, too. But short of locking her up, I can’t stop her having after work drinks. I can’t make her stay here for the night, either.
