Page 45 of Deliverance
"I was wearing it the night Madam's men …" I hesitated because she didn't really know why I was here—or the others. She knew we had sex with men, but I was certain she thought it was voluntary. "Go get dressed. You don't want to be late."
I finished my makeup and went out into the main room. The ladies were all waiting in various colored bra and panties in a line facing the elevator, looking eager to be the one chosen, but I knew better. None of us liked what we had to do when it came to clients. I hadn't seen Frank in months.
I joined them in the line, thinking it would look weird if I was off to the side. My gaze met Ric's as he stood near the elevator with Marcus. We stared at each other for a few seconds before Zell came into the room. I nudged my head toward the coffee table, where the Krystal bottle of scotch sat on a black tray next totwoglasses for her to get. Zell told me thataVIP was coming, and I wondered why there was more than one glass.
She picked up the tray and mouthed, "Thank you," just as the sound of heels came from the glass stairs.
Once Madam was on the main level, she walked to each girl, inspecting us with her hands behind her back. Then she made it to Zell. "Where did you get this?" She flicked the spaghetti strap of the dress.
"Erin, Madam."
Madam looked over at me and then back at Zell, probably wondering why I was in the line. "Very well."
The elevator dinged, and Frank stepped out. We'd never gotten in a line for him before because it was always me he wanted. Then I noticed he wasn't alone. A younger version of him followed behind.
"Frank," Madam greeted, opening her arms as she walked toward him. "It's so good to see you."
They hugged, and Frank replied, "You too, Saffron. It's been a while."
I didn't know the last time they'd seen each other, but they were acting as though he'd never threatened her. As though they were old friends about to catch up over afternoon tea. Was it because he wasn't alone?
"Yes, but all is well here. This must be Frank Jr." She hugged the boy who looked to be about Zell's age. Frank brought his son to a brothel?
"Hello," Frank Jr. replied.
Madam pulled back. "We've actually met before, but it's been several years. You've grown into quite the fine young man."
"He has," Frank replied and clapped Frank Jr. on the back.
"Here." Madam reached for the scotch on the tray and took both glasses. She turned and handed both Franks a glass. "Something for you to sip on while you decide."
Frank Jr. waved off the scotch. "No, thank you."
Madam smiled. "Oh, come on. It's your birthday."
My stomach dropped at the last three words. If I were to bet money, I would wager that Frank Jr. was eighteen, and Frank had brought him to become a man, so to speak.
"I'm more of a vodka guy," Frank Jr. informed her.
Madam snapped her fingers at Zell, and she rushed over to where the liquor was. After scanning the bottles quickly, she poured vodka into an empty glass. She turned, and when her gaze met Frank Jr.'s, she looked down at the floor, her cheeks tinting red. I looked at Ric again. This wasn't good. Zell needed peers her own age, but not Frank's son.
Zell handed him his drink, her eyes glued to the floor. "Thank you," he whispered.
"You're welcome," she whispered back, then stepped back into line with us.
"Now, son"—Frank squeezed Frank Jr.'s shoulder—"tonight, you can have any one of these ladies that you want. More than one if you'd like."
I knew it, and I had to hope that whatever happened was meant to be. I didn't want Zell to lose her virginity this way, but she wasn't my daughter.
"I told you I wasn't a virgin," Frank Jr. said in a low voice.
Frank chuckled. "That may be, but any one of these ladies will make sure you're well taken care of. You might learn some things. It's your birthday, enjoy it."
Frank Jr. replied, his voice still low, "Whores aren't my thing."
I hated that he called us whores, but to everyone except those who worked for the Russos and the girls in the house, we were. Everyone else thought we were here of our own accord and wanted to sell our bodies, but that was far from the truth.
"These are the finest ones around, son. You'll be in safe hands. Take your pick, and then I can pick mine."
