16. Chapter 11 #2
I try to hold everything back, my emotions, my tears, the bile that is rising in my throat.
To surrender is to show weakness. And as I was once taught, to show any weakness is a form of vulnerability, of letting someone inside.
The faintest sob escapes me. I try to school my features before I turn and run away.
I can’t show weakness. I run into one of the dark rooms, slam the door shut and quickly lock it.
Sliding down onto my ass, I pull my hand to my heart.
Sometimes the right thing, the most selfless thing is the one thing that hurts the most. Because those men will always be mine, they just don’t see it, yet.
After a few moments of allowing myself to cry, I stand up, straighten my spine and wipe my hands on my thighs.
They might have made me into who I am today, but I will not let them take that away.
After all, I learned from the best. With a smile plastered across my face, I re-apply some lipstick.
It’s going to take so much more to break down these walls.
I feel up my side, checking for my knives.
Each one’s accounted for. I step back out, breathing through my mouth with my head held high.
I go back to the VIP room, all five of my men are here.
“What can I get for you guys?” I look for something on the wall, to keep my eyes on and distract myself.
“On your knees, Evie.” I shake my head. No way am I letting these guys win.
“No.” A hand comes up behind me, resting on my shoulder.
“Then I’ll fucking make you,” he spits out.
“On your goddam knees. Don’t disrespect your bosses.
” God, no. I should have known. Of course they own this place.
With his firm hand on my shoulder, he pushes me down to my knees on the cold, hard floor.
It’s uncomfortable as fuck, but I won’t let anyone know that.
“What are you doing here?” One of them asks, I'm not looking but my guess is, it’s Damion.
“What do you mean? This is my fuckin’ job.
” I try to put all my confidence into my words.
Show no weakness, I keep telling myself over and over.
“Not anymore.” The venom in his voice makes me cringe.
“What?! No. Who the fuck do you think you are?” My words barely come out as a sob works its way up.
“Evie, you know what women do here, right?” Why is he trying to be so subtle?
No shit, I know. “Yeah I know, and I have bills to pay.” I lower my head, pressing my palms into my eyes.
This is fucking great. “Really Evie, you want to be a whore?” His words slice what’s left of my heart.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.
” I try to lift my eyes, to look at all five men circling me.
“So what, you run off and decide to be a prostitute?” Damion’s grilling me, hard.
“It looked like you guys had no problem with it a second ago,” I snip back, I’m not taking their shit.
I get lost in my head for a second. Damion, my protector. I can’t believe he’s here.
I try to get up but another hand keeps me down.
“Ah, ah, ah. I don’t think so, Princess.
You’re not going anywhere.” Fuck. Treven’s using that stupid nickname.
It sounds more vindictive than a word of endearment.
“Shut the fuck up, Treven.” My jaw clenches, my molars grinding against each other.
Sylus, pushes his cock back into his pants and zips up.
“Let’s go.” I start to stand as an arm comes around my stomach.
“No! Marcus put me down!” My fists slam into his back.
“What, Angel, are you too good for us now?” I look at Marcus and notice his blond, shaggy hair has grown longer.
His beard is trimmed neatly against his face making me think of how that would feel.
Nope, mind out of the gutter Evie. His cool, blue eyes look like they are about to kill something, I just hope that something is not me.
Treven steps up to Marcus’ side. His arms are covered in vibrant colored tattoos.
Knowing Treven they each tell a story. His brown hair is cropped on top into a fade.
Styled to perfection, just like him. His hazel eyes tear into my soul, calling to me.
He always sees me for who I am. He’s wearing a button up that’s rolled up to his forearms, paired with black slacks.
I look to Marcus’s other side, seeing Emmit smiling like the cat that got the cream.
I want to claw that fuckin smug look right off his face, this fucker.
He’s wearing his jeans with combat boots, and a black fitted tee to show off his ink.
His tanned skin makes his green eyes pop.
He looks like the devil himself. He wears his brown hair in a buzz cut.
Swaying his arms to the side, he swats my ass, causing me to yelp.
“Fuck you Emmit.” I seethe. “Yeah, Babydoll, isn't this what you wished for?” His smile never disappears, even after hearing my ‘humph’.
Cocky bastard; some things never change.
Sylus is off to the side. He has dark hair, and his eyes are the darkest green I have ever seen, they almost look black.
He wears a black fitted tee, black jeans and black boots.
His normal all black, he was never one to wear much color.
He flexes his hands, and I watch as his tattoos practically come to life.
His face has no emotion whatsoever. He acts as if my presence alone had kicked his puppy.
FYI, I would never do such a thing. Damion takes up the rear.
I can see his black tattoos against his dark skin when the lights shine on him.
His caramel colored eyes lock onto mine, seeming to promise so much.
I don’t know what the promise is, but I’m nervous to find out.
He holds his head up high, nodding as we walk.
I notice, out of the corner of my eye, the guy that’s been following me.
I knew it! I knew something was up with him.
“Hey stranger,” I greet him. “Hey Evie, long time no see.” He daps up with Damion, before he excuses him.
“I thought you would be smarter than to let him tail you,” he says.
Damion can’t shut up, can he? Fuck. Calling me out on all my shit. “Yeah. I’ve been in my head.”