Chapter 33 Maya
Maya
My stomach is in knots. I spent half the morning trying to work off my nervous energy by deep cleaning the kitchen before Emma made me stop. Today is the day I apply at Cottontails.
Nick had to work, Emma went to the market. Ethan left to meet Vade and his nephew to scope out my security details, so it’s just Squeak and I at the beach house. I thought some fresh air might be calming, so I brought her outside to play on the deck.
You never really learn to appreciate the beauty life has to offer when you live in survival mode.
Not that there was ever anything pretty to look at in that shithole town, it’s just appreciation for the little things like the way the breeze blows effortlessly through the air and the rustle of the trees, the way the flowers bloom, or how a picture-perfect sunset settles over the horizon.
The only thing I would change right now is for my mom to be here to see and experience what I am now. She deserved so much more than life handed her. She had a servant’s heart and thought she could fix my daddy. She prayed every night for him to change his ways.
She was terrified that if we left, he would kill us both when he found us. I didn’t recognize it then, but I know now he made her feel worthless and manipulated her so she would never leave.
He was a narcissist and deserved what he got. I don’t blame her for staying, but I do wish she had been brave enough to leave. As a nurse, she could’ve found a job anywhere and might still be alive.
I sit forward, leaning on my knees and clutching my coffee cups in both hands when I spot a monarch butterfly dancing gently in the air from flower to flower.
My heart constricts when it flutters my way, landing gently in my arm, instantly knowing who is here to pay me a visit. “Hey, Mom,” I choke out.
“I’ve been doing a lot better these days.” Hot tears sting my face. “I start a new job today, but it’s only temporary. I’m taking two classes, and they are going really good.” It’s hard to talk when my heart feels like it’s cracking inside my chest and the lump in my throat is choking me.
The butterfly gently flaps its wings, but it stays perched on my arm. God, I wish she could talk back to me. But I’ll take this over nothing at all. At least I know she is at peace where she is and can come back to visit me occasionally.
“I know you don’t have long, but I want you to know how much I love and miss you.
” More tears fall harder and faster now.
“I’m going to be ok, I think. I’m happy now.
” I choke back a sob, needing to wipe my face but terrified to move.
As if her time is getting close to being up, just like before, the butterfly floats up to my face, briefly landing on my cheek before fluttering away.
Squeak comes up from somewhere behind me, batting at the butterfly as it makes its ascent. I grab her, pulling her back and holding her close to my chest.
I’m convinced my mom sent me this kitten to look after to help me get through one of my darkest times. She’s brought me so much joy and laughter, even if she is a bad little shit.
“It’s a rectangular building, I don’t think I’m going to get lost.” I studied the 3D model of the casino floor plan with Ethan for over an hour before we left the beach house. I know where every single exit is at this point.
“Cottontails is on the second floor, away from the main gaming area. You’ll walk in this door by valet and make a right, go up the escalator and take a left. There will be a bouncer outside the club. You’ll have to show ID to get in. You have it in your purse, right?” He looks over at me.
“My purse, money, and cell phone, but I seem to have lost my sanity. You’re driving me fucking crazy.” Him and Nick are more nervous than I am.
I know what’s at stake, and it’s not like I haven’t survived similar circumstances before. I had my moment this morning, but now it’s go time.
“Short trip. Anyway, Liam is on security detail inside the club. If you find yourself in trouble, or feeling uncomfortable at any time, raise your hand over your head and flex your fingers like this.” He does a demonstration.
“Make myself look like I have a rooster comb. Got it.” I know it’s for my safety but I’m still going to give Ethan shit about it.
“The idea was to make it look like an innocent stretch, but since you are a rooster murderer and all—we can also use it to signal trouble. Rivers the cock slayer.” He laughs hysterically.
“Fuck off,” I slap his arm, “he penetrated my leg without consent.” I laugh along with him.
“He clucked around and found out, huh?” Ethan now has tears streaming down his face.
“Stop before you make us wreck,” I choke out through my amusement.
“Alright, alright, back to business. Nick, Vade, and myself will be parked right outside the VIP entrance in the Hummer watching you on camera. On the off chance anything goes down, we can be inside in less than a minute.” He turns to face me, and I get the feeling he’s trying to reassure himself this will work out, too.
It would settle my nerves better if Nick could be inside with me but since Kaleb knows Nick has been asking about Madam LaBell, we figured it was best for him not to be seen snooping around, especially since Nick called Kaleb to see if he was at work today.
Nick wasn’t happy with having to be outside but it’s for the best.
“For fuck’s sake, I’m going to be fine. I’m just going to apply for a job, not run away with the circus. I promise nobody from Whiskey Rivers is going to recognize me with my hair, makeup, and body the way it is right now.”
He huffs out a sigh of defeat. “Women are being shipped in and turning up missing around here, Rivers. None of us are willing to risk your safety.”
None of the women who have been abducted have had any employment connections to Cottontails, but I’m smart enough to know that doesn’t always mean anything.
“I know, and I appreciate it.” Ethan turns the Hummer into a long parking lot with a large warehouse and shipping dock along the shoreline.
Nick and Vade had some last-minute things to tend to before we left. Apparently, someone has been sneaking around at night, and they’ve been trying to identify them on camera. I step out, trying to balance my high heels on the rough surface of the pavement.
Right on cue, Nick comes striding out the door looking all GQ in his black pinstripe suit and shades. My pulse thrums with excitement. He’s all mine—by his own declaration. His wicked grin makes my mouth and pussy salivate.
“There’s my girl.” His arm wraps tightly around my waist, pulling me in for a kiss. “You got time for me to show you my office?” he teases.
“You’re the one who said I had to apply for the job today,” I tease back.
“Yeah, but what better way to walk in there than with my cum leaking down your legs.” He licks up the side of my neck then bites softly, sending shivers down my spine. The heat of my desire for him radiates through my bones.
“You can fuck her in the car on the way there! Let’s go dickhead!” Vade yells from the passenger seat.
“Not on your fucking life. She’s mine, it’s time you get your own jack off material.” Nick opens the door and helps me inside. The short leather miniskirt I picked to wear makes it hard to get in the jacked-up truck.
“You’re not going to like what you see on the surveillance cameras while she’s at work,” Vade mutters.
“Don’t you worry about that. I have my pen and paper ready to make a hit list.” Nick tenses, holding my hand firmly in his.
He doesn’t like this at all. I like this possessive and controlling side of him more than I used to. His jealousy is cute. Like there is any man I could want more.
“Here, Rivers, swallow this.” Ethan hands me a black tablet of some sort.
“What is it?” I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m not leery of any of them trying to drug me, but I want to know what I’m taking.
“It’ll counteract most date rape drugs. Several of the girls in there look strung out. We can’t be sure it’s by their own doing.”
Oh. I quickly swallow it down.
There’s a restaurant just out of view of The Lucky Rabbit’s surveillance cameras where Ethan and I get out of the Hummer. The plan is for him to discretely follow me on foot while Vade and Nick park at the casino. I insisted I’d be fine on my own, but they don’t listen.
I take a deep breath as I approach the entrance. Ethan keeps walking towards the car. I am on my own until I get inside Cottontails where Liam will be waiting. I’m not nervous about being alone, I’m nervous about applying for a job as a stripper.
As soon as I get inside, I have a seat at the bar. “What can I get for you?” the bartender asks.
“I’m here to see Tony Siles. I heard he might be hiring.”
The bartender gives me an appreciative look up and down, filling my insides with an ick.
I spot Liam out of the corner of my eye. I only met him briefly on Facetime, but his good looks are hard to miss. He sticks out in a place like this.
It’s rundown. There’s dust on the light fixtures, spots on the glassware behind the bar, and the smell of stale booze and cigarettes lingers through the air.
The stage with the pole in the middle is small, barely big enough for any dancer.
The upholstery is torn, and the carpet looks like it could use a good cleaning. Nothing at all like Sapphire.
A few moments later a man who looks like he came straight from my hometown exits the back with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
“Hi, you must be Tony. I’m Emily.” I extend a hand to him but he just stares at it.
“You in the wrong place, ain’t ya? Don’t no girls come in here all dressed up like that.”
“I’m new in town. I’m looking for a job as a dancer.”
He looks me up and down, his greedy eyes skating over every inch of my body. My stomach tries to roll but I push the feelings down. I can handle this. I’ve had worse men than him force their filthy paws on me.
“I have experience,” I lie.
“I need someone to work the floor. My waitress OD’d this morning. You can dance if we aren’t busy. Be here tomorrow at five o’clock.” He turns to walk off.
I call out to him, “Do I need to fill out some paperwork?” He stops and considers for a minute, and I’m hoping he will say no.
Ethan was adamant most of the dancers were off the books. The ID I have has Ryker as my last name and even though they might not be smart enough to connect me to Nick, it’s always a possibility.
“If you do alright tomorrow, then I’ll put you on the books. If not, you can work for other favors if you need cash.” A throaty, too many cigarette laugh/cough wracks through him until he’s expelled a wad of mucus. I almost vomit when he spits it on the floor.
Nick owes me big time for this shit.
Liam nods at me as I walk out the door. I feel like I need a shower just from standing in this room. Funny, because I used to go days, or even a week, without being able to wash up when we didn’t have running water. My new life of luxury is starting to sink in.
I hightail it back to the restaurant, Ethan hot on my heels. We jump in the Hummer and head to drop Vade back off at the warehouse.
“Well, how’d it go?” Nick asks with a worried expression.
“That place is disgusting. I hope it doesn’t take long to get the information you’re wanting,” I tell him.
“I know, baby. I can’t stand the thought of you in that place. After this, you won’t have to work anywhere else unless you want too.” He pulls me in close.
“I have to have a job to pay for my classes.” I want to continue my education.
“Your tuition is paid in full for the next four years.” He kisses my cheek.
Holy shit.
“Nick, no. I want to take care of it myself.” This is too much, I can’t accept it. I shift uncomfortably in my seat.
“It’s not up for discussion, cupcake.” His menacing tone screams not to even try to argue with him, so I don’t.
Instead, I cross my arms and stare out of the window. I know he means well and wants to take care of me, but Mama always told me the only one you can ever truly depend on is yourself. Never get yourself into a position where you have no way out. A lesson I wish she had taken her own advice on.
He unbuckles my seatbelt and pulls me onto his lap. “Hey, don’t be so sullen. Going to school was part of our deal for you to work for me.”
“It was, but you paying for my entire education wasn’t.” I still can’t look at him.
“If you want to work while you’re in school, you can. But whatever I have is yours, too.” He plants a soft kiss on my neck and grips me tight.
Nick’s phone rings, breaking our moment, Kaleb Cherry’s name flashing on the screen. “Hello?”
I can only make out parts of the conversation, but when Nick hangs up the phone he looks at me with a grin. “Kaleb found Tito. He’s gonna bring him to the warehouse to meet me tomorrow.” I gulp hard.
After everything he and my father put me through, Tito is a dead man. Nick is not going to let him walk away unscathed, and to be honest, I won’t either.