Chapter 25
Violet
All day today has been spent lounging around, even Adler took the day off work to just lay with me.
His housekeeper brought us breakfast in bed, and I even napped after I ate. He hasn't made me wear my tail and he refused when I climbed into position for his morning blowjob, he said I needed the rest for tomorrow night.
I feel like all I've done today is cat nap, drifting in and out of sleep so many times that I haven't caught a single event happening in whatever show he has us watching.
It's not like I care about the shows on TV, no I care about the man's arms wrapped around me. I care about the fact that every time I wake up, I'm rewarded with a kiss like I'd done something important.
When I woke up from what was at least my tenth nap of the day, I was alone in bed. I don't like it; I've felt so safe and comforted having him hold me all day. Now I find myself missing and needing his touch.
I climb out from under the blankets, clip my leash to my collar, place it between my teeth, and make my way through the house to find Adler.
I finally find him when I hear his voice in his office and smile at the sound of his voice. It isn't until I get closer that I can hear that he's talking to someone, someone who's actually in the room with him.
“Adler, this plan is idiotic. You can't meet up with Morse, the whole thing could be a trap!” Nico shouts.
I hear Adler almost growl, even from the other side of the door I know that he's not in the mood to be questioned. “It's our only chance to find this place and possibly figure out the scientists. This is happening, we can't risk the unit or the mates by doing nothing!” He shouts back.
Nico barks out a dry laugh and I hear something smash on the floor, something glass. “Is this about your little pet? You don't want them taking her and doing tests? Maybe they'd cut your baby out of her and see what it's made of.” He states.
I reach down, putting my hand on my belly and wishing that were true, but it never will be.
When my life crumbled and I went down the path of prostitution, I'd gotten my tubes tied.
It sounded like a good idea at 22, now at 32 it feels foolish.
I didn't consider if I wanted kids, I only considered not getting pregnant while having sex for money.
Adler huffs and I hear pieces of glass being picked up. “This has nothing to do with my pet. She's just a hooker anyway, it's not like she's valuable to them.” He answers casually, he even chuckles like it's hilarious to think that I matter.
I think my heart just imploded in my chest. There's an actual ache that feels like my heart is being torn out of me. Just a hooker? I thought the last month meant more to him. I thought when he fucked me like he loved me last night that I mattered. It felt different last night, I felt special.
I dart up the stairs as quietly as possible and rush into his closet. I just need a quiet moment to cry, I need him not to hear me and come asking what's wrong.
I shut myself in the closet, dropping onto the floor in the corner as soon as I reach it. My throat aches with the effort I have to use not to scream as tears rush down my face and blur my vision.
I've lived through my mom abandoning me as a teenager.
I survived my first boyfriend trying to kill me and I certainly survived living in my car as a result.
Just barely, but I even survived my dad dying when I was 22.
He left me with nothing but a crumbling house, a broken heart, and not a penny to my name.
This somehow hurts worse. My chest actually aches, and my body feels like I'm being ripped apart. I gasp in a desperate breath of air, trying to force myself to stop crying.
I have to force myself to remember that I've lived through worse than this. That Adler thinking nothing of me may sting, but it could always be worse.
I just need to get out of here, too bad I don't know where my things are. I would stay, I need this money, but the thought of staying when Adler thinks so low of me and laughs about it with his friends. I deserve more than that.
When I can’t find my clothes, I steal some of his. I throw on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt that’s hopefully thick enough to hide the fact that I’m not wearing a bra. Not like it matters, I don’t know where I am, where my stuff is, or how to get out of here.
Before I head back downstairs, I unclip my leash and throw it on the bed. I would take this fucking collar off if I had the key, but I guess I’ll have to cut it off when I get home.
I head downstairs, strutting right into his office where he and Nico sit, casually drinking and laughing.
Adler looks up at me oddly, both confused and infuriated. “Are you allowed to be wearing clothes?” He asks sternly.
I square my shoulders and glare back at him, crossing my arms over my chest to hide my breasts. “I don’t need your permission to do shit. I’m leaving. Can I have my money and my bag?” I ask with a huff.
Adler stands up, walking toward me. His imposing figure fills the space and the rage on his face makes me back up until we’re both in the hallway. “What the hell is this, kitten?” He asks.
I glare up at him, taking another step back when it feels like he’s too close and his scent starts to surround me. “This is me leaving. I’m sure you can find some other hooker with no value to fuck tomorrow.” I snap.
Adler sighs, but I snap again before he gets any words in. “I am not your little toy, I’m done!” I yell.
I try to turn away from him, but Adler grabs my arm and stops me. “I wasn’t done speaking to you.” He snaps back. “I hate to point this out, but you are a hooker, and you are my toy. We had a deal and it’s not over until the morning after the full moon.” He yells.
That hurts. He didn't deny what he said, he didn't apologize or say that it was a mistake. He's making no effort to repair the damage he's caused. I know it's because he doesn't care and that hurts so much more.
I could have overlooked everything if he had apologized, said he was just joking with a friend, and that he didn't mean it. I'd be hurt and embarrassed, but it wouldn't sting nearly as bad as this.
“I’m sorry I ever met you.” I say sadly. I shake out of his grasp and dart for the front door, needing to get away from this man if it’s the last thing that I do.
I spin back on my heel, glaring at him before I've made it to the door. “I’ve never had anyone make me feel as cheap and as stupid as you just did.” I admit.
Adler scoffs, crossing his arms across his broad chest. “I find that hard to believe given your chosen career.” He argues.
I have to fight back tears, glaring at this man that it feels like I barely know right now. “Career? Do you think I wanted to become this? Fuck you, Adler Lewis! I want my money; I want to go home.” I say as calmly as I can manage.
Adler walks away from me, storming back into his office while I’m left standing in the doorway like an idiot. I'm fighting with myself and the lump in my throat that's begging me to cry.
Does he expect me to just stand here and wait or is he going to come back? Is he even going to pay me at all? I wouldn't be surprised that he planned to stiff me at the end, that he'd take everything I had to give and throw me on the curb without a cent.
That question is answered when a few minutes later Adler comes back out the door. He throws a massive stack of bills at me and slams his office door with him inside. I don't even get any last words from him; I just hear him and Nico speaking on the other side.
Cash rains down all around me, falling over me and making me feel thick with regret. Regret over the last few minutes or the last month, I’m not sure.
I look at the cash littering the floor around me and sigh, this wasn’t supposed to end this way.
I spin on my heel and walk out the front door, just wanting to be away from this man before my chest implodes.