Chapter 14
Lauralyn
Idon’t recall ever waking up feeling so at peace. Every day has always started with some lump of stress in my stomach about what I was going to face: my mother, my stepmom, Collin, Holt, money issues, sleezy men, Portia. But now, it’s all gone. Thanks to my bully.
I almost have to laugh at that.
He stole my breath away last night, asking me to move in with him—hinting to the L word.
I didn’t want to say it for fear of pushing him away, but I think it’s safe to tell him how I feel.
Only… He’s not in bed. I turn in the sheets, looking toward the bathroom, but it’s empty.
The time on the clock surprises me. It’s almost noon.
No wonder he’s no longer in bed. I’ve nearly slept half the day away.
But that’s because he kept me up all night.
I pad my way to the bathroom, showering and getting ready before I go on the hunt for the sexy man. Low voices seem to be coming from his office. I tiptoe my way down the hall, not wanting to interrupt if it’s not a good time.
“There’s one condition if I’m going to agree to the deal.”
It sounds like Hemsworth. They must be negotiating the terms of the contract. I probably shouldn’t disturb them. This is what Deuce has been waiting for.
“What do you want?” Holt asks.
“If I sign those papers, I want a night with Lauralyn.”
I bite back my gasp as I hear his demand.
That man is incorrigible. And old enough to be my father.
I’m not going to sleep with him. And there’s no way Holt is going to agree.
He doesn’t want another man touching me.
He doesn’t want me dancing anymore either.
I told him I wasn’t going to start mooching off him just because we’re living together, but he said it’s his job to protect me now.
Which means he’s going to protect me from that old man.
It’s exactly like the movie Indecent Proposal. Hemsworth kind of even looks like Robert Redford too.
“Fine,” Holt states. “She’s yours for a night. But not until that hundred million hits our account. And there will be some new terms added to the contract to ensure her safety.”
He’s agreeing? He’s actually going to sell me to that man for money.
I feel like the hall is starting to spin.
Like my heart is going to pound through my chest. Does love mean nothing to him?
Is this just some sick game? It feels like I’m just a pawn to him.
Like I’ve been played a fool to get what he wants.
“Shall we draw up the new terms of the contract right now?” Hemsworth asks.
“Better that we get this out of the way, so we can both get onto the fun stuff,” Deuce agrees.
I feel like I’m going to be sick. I turn on my heels, rushing back toward the bedroom. I need to get out of here. I’m not going to be sold like a whore anymore. I don’t care how much money he offers me; I’m not going to agree.
I quickly pack up the few things I came with, leaving all the slutty clothes Sorrin brought me on the bed. I blindly make my way downstairs, keeping my head tucked so no one can see my face. There’s something I need to do before I go pack up my apartment.
“Lauralyn!” Lola’s head lifts from her desk as I enter her office. “Oh my goodness, hon.” She’s out of her seat and rushing around to me. “What happened? Are you okay? Did someone hurt you?”
The words don’t want to come out, but I push them past the tears, telling her everything.
Starting back when we were young. Then filling her in on the weekend.
All the things Holt said to me last night, how he asked me to move in with him.
And then… how he ripped my heart in two as he sold me to Hemsworth.
“Oh, honey.” She hugs me tighter. “What did I tell you? I didn’t want you getting your hopes up for a future with that man because I know exactly what he’s like. No matter what. The club will always come first. Those men want to own the entire strip, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it.”
I know she warned me. But somehow, I managed to believe that our past meant that this was real. I thought he truly loved me. But she was right. I should never have trusted my heart with him.
“I have to leave, Lola.”
“Sure, hon. You’re off the clock until you feel better.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I have to leave town. I can’t stay here. It’s going to hurt too much.” I never should’ve taken the job. She was right; memories last a lifetime, and these are going to eat me alive. Especially if I have to walk past his casino to get to my bus every day.
“Where you gonna go, hon? And what about your schooling?”
“I’ll transfer. All I know is that I can’t stay here.” Thankfully, I have an account full of blood money now that I can go anywhere. I’d give it back, but I earned it with my heart. My consolation for the pain I’m going to forever endure.
“I never should’ve asked you to take the job. You just have to promise me that wherever you end up, you’ll keep in touch. I feel like I’m losing my own kid.” She hugs me tighter, and the sobs break in my chest again. I don’t want to leave her, but I have to in order to survive.
“You aren’t losing me, Lola. You’ll never lose me.”
“Alright. Get on out of here before I force you to move in with me. Truth is, a girl like you doesn’t belong on the strip. You deserve so much more. Knew that the day you walked in, but I could never put you out on the street.”
She deserves more too. But considering where she came from, she’s built an amazing life for herself. Something she should truly be proud of.
“I love you, Lola.”
“Love you too, hon.”