Chapter Twenty #2
‘One night,’ he whispers. He pulls me close, so that my back is pressed into his chest. I feel his hot breath against my ear, and I can smell liquor there.
‘Imagine. You’d never have to work in that redneck titty bar ever again.
Just think about it. All I’d ask in return is you submit to me.
Let me live out my fantasy with you. Satisfy my need for you fully.
I’d satisfy your needs too. And in the morning, your father’s debt would be paid. You’d be free.’
I’ve been dancing at Surly’s for so long, I’ve forgotten what freedom is.
‘What’s stopping you?’ he continues. ‘Your CMC teammates would never have to know. We’d use protection. You’d have my undivided attention… all night long. Think about it… it could be a pleasurable experience for you. What better sacrifice to help your father? To lie back and let me pleasure you.’
Bile rises in my throat. It takes everything in me not to pull away from him. My eyes close. It would be another deal with yet another devil, yet this is one contract I never plan on agreeing to.
‘You’re a married man,’ I say.
He nips the curve of my ear between his teeth. ‘This has nothing to do with my wife,’ he says in a low tone.
‘I’m sure she’d disagree.’
He presses his long fingers into the small of my back. ‘What have I told you, Serenity? Leave my wife out of this. This is about you and me. I don’t desire her the same way I desire you. The more I see of you, the more of you I crave.’
The same hand slides from my back to around my waist, pinning me to him. He presses kisses to my neck, and I flinch.
‘I could make it so good for us,’ he breathes.
The arm that is pinning me to him loosens, and his fingers drift lower, skimming briefly between my legs.
I stiffen. ‘Can I go now?’ I ask.
‘Promise me you’ll take some time to think about it,’ Brody says. ‘I think you’ll find we would both benefit.’
‘I promise I’ll consider your offer,’ I say, if only to appease him, and to allow myself to wrench free of his grasp.
I return to the bedroom. I close the door and lean my back against the frame. I’m trembling with fury, yet once more, tears sting the corners of my eyes. I wipe them away and begin wriggling out of the bondage-style underwear.
I need to get out of here. I never want to return to this apartment again.
When I’m dressed, I walk back out. Brody waits for me with my coat. He helps me into it, like a gentleman would do, except he’s no gentleman.
‘I left a little sweetener in the pocket,’ he says. ‘Mind you don’t tell Kale. Think of it as a sign of things to come. I look forward to seeing you again. Think hard on that decision. Think about how grateful your daddy would be.’
He pinches my chin between his thumb and forefinger. I leave without another word.
Downstairs, in the back of the limo, when the driver has closed the door, I check the pockets of my coat and pull out a pile of bills.
My tip for tonight – my sweetener from Brody Conway – is a cool one thousand dollars.
Back at Surly’s, I head straight to the office.
‘Everything alright?’ Jaxon says as he opens the door.
Behind me, I can hear the noise from the bar. I glance back. Must be a full house. Mila looks to be on stage as Candy Chains.
‘Can I come in?’
‘Sure,’ Jax says as he opens the door wider.
Inside, Kale has his feet up on the desk.
‘Fella keep his hands to himself?’ Jax asks.
Kale lifts his chin at the question, as though paying attention.
‘Absolutely,’ I lie. ‘It was all fine. He gave me a tip.’
‘How much?’ Kale asks.
‘Thousand dollars,’ I say and hold out the cash.
Kale moves lightning fast.
I pull back. ‘I want it in the ledger.’
He glares at me. ‘Jaxon, get Serenity’s ledger.’
Jax goes to the safe and does as he’s told. He flips the notebook open to the latest page, then reaches for a pen and writes the amount down.
He comes over to show it to me and I hand the cash to Kale.
‘That should make it two hundred and eight to go,’ I say, because I stay on top of this stuff.
‘Two hundred and eight thousand, that’s correct,’ Jaxon confirms, and I keep my gaze level with Kale’s.
‘Is that everything?’ Kale asks.
I smile politely. ‘No. I’m not feeling so good. Wondered if you’d mind if I head home early tonight?’
I keep looking directly at Kale.
He crosses his arms over his chest. ‘What’s wrong with you?’
I put one hand on my stomach. ‘Got real bad cramps tonight. Due my period any day now.’
If there’s one thing Kale hates, it’s one of his girls talking about girl problems. Misty once taught me that it was the easiest way out of a shift, but you had to pick and choose carefully when to pull a code red.
Kale dismisses me with a flick of his fingers. ‘Fine. Head on home. Jax, tell Kaycee and Talia that Serenity had to go. I’ll need them up on stage for another round tonight.’
‘Thank you,’ I say.
‘Need you back here tomorrow night though. Swallow a bottle of Tylenol, I don’t care. Want you back on that stage, collecting those tips.’
A soft smile touches my mouth once more, because I used to be afraid of him. And now I see him for what he really is.
‘Of course, Mr McCoy,’ I say obediently. ‘I’ll be here, no question.’
In the car, on my route home, a message pings on the CMC group, from Harmony.
No practice tomorrow because of away game. Meet at my apartment for team bonding. 10 a.m. Apartment F, 3580 Century Drive, Boulder Creek. See y’all there.
While I’m thankful that I don’t have to drive all the way across to the Danube Stadium, equally, I’m nervous about what ‘team bonding’ entails outside of official training.
When I get home, I check on Dad. Lately, he’s been sleeping with a portable oxygen concentrator for his emphysema, so I check the tube is all hooked up properly. Satisfied, I head for the kitchen and eat a handful of walnuts before I go upstairs to my room.
I’m taking off my makeup when the tears come.
A moment later and I can’t wipe them away fast enough, the events of the past few days overpowering me.
When the floodgates open, my body is wracked with uncontrollable sobs, so all-consuming that I have to cover my mouth to stop the sound from waking my father.
All I want is to speak to Jake. I check the phone and there’s nothing. He’ll be on curfew tonight at some hotel or other in Cleveland. I take my chances and dial him, not expecting him to pick up. So, when I hear his voice at the other end of the line, I’m unprepared.
‘Serenity?’ His voice sounds deep and masculine.
‘Hi,’ I say softly. ‘I didn’t know if you’d answer. Or if you’d take the phone with you.’
‘I can’t really talk,’ he says. ‘I’m on curfew.’
‘I know. I just wanted to say that I’m sorry.’
He’s quiet for a long moment. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t call. I needed a little time to… process.’
‘I get it. I know it wasn’t what you expected. When do you fly back?’
‘Monday.’
‘I’m free Monday… I’d really like the chance to explain some things.’
‘You don’t have to work?’
He puts the emphasis on the ‘work’ so that I know he’s referring to my other job. ‘Club’s closed Mondays. That’s why Monday Night Football… well, it ain’t a problem for me.’
‘Oh,’ he says, and his tone is flat. ‘Listen, I gotta go.’
‘Good luck at the game,’ I say, sounding hopeful.
‘Thanks,’ he says, and hangs up.
I place the phone on the nightstand, then exhale. I feel another hot sting of tears. Then my personal phone vibrates. I read a string of funny messages from the girls about what we should do for team bonding.
When a separate message comes through to my phone, I read the words and stiffen. The fury that I felt in the limo ride back to Surly’s returns to my chest.
I’d sink my face in your pussy and make you feel so good, Brody’s message reads. Think about it…
I should block him; I know that I should.
But right now, he has me in a stranglehold.
And while he’s presenting his proposal as a choice, I know it’s not a choice I’m gonna be free to make.
Brody Conway has already made up his mind that he wants me in his bed. If I refuse to comply, he’ll expose me.
It’s not something I want to do, but I can see only one way out of this. And it’s the only way that Jake and I might still have a shot.
I need to quit the CMC.