Chapter 29 #2
“This feels easy right now because you know me,” I murmured.
Gianna fixed her gaze on my chest, refusing to look higher.
“You’ve slept with me. I caressed your body in the past. I licked your pussy.
Touched you gently. And I’m not shoving dollar bills into your thong, but I want you to close your eyes for a moment. ”
Gianna suppressed another sob and gasped, closing her eyes.
“I want you to imagine a group of men here…all eager to see your naked tits. Eager for you to show all of yourself.” Gianna gulped, tears pouring out of her closed eyes.
“They’ll call you names. Baby. Gorgeous.
Bad girl. Maybe a slut if they’ve had enough to drink.
They’ll wave money at you and tell you to come earn it. Tell you to shake that ass.”
Large tears dripped off Gianna’s chin. Finally, real tears—and I couldn’t get enough of them.
“You don’t know who I am, Gianna. You don’t know what I’m capable of, and I’ve given you the freedom to live in illusion. But I’m going to break it tonight.”
Freedom…is an illusion, Alex. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment and tried not to think of Jade while I orchestrated this fucking charade.
I checked my watch, eager to get the fuck out of there. “Lucky for you, we have another place to visit. Walk.” Gianna shot her eyes open, relief flooding her face. “Walk,” I repeated, and this time, Gianna scampered off the stage, almost running toward the door.
As soon as we stepped outside, I passed my car keys to Maksim and pulled Gianna toward a black SUV, three men already waiting for us inside.
Gianna whimpered, stopping in her tracks at the sight of the car.
“What’s wrong, Gianna?” I asked, both hating and loving this. “Are you afraid that I might…hurt you somehow? Afraid that I will ruin your life the way you ruined mine? Get in the fucking car.”
I pushed her into the backseat and climbed in too, sandwiching her between one of Maksim’s guys and me.
We sped down the street, orange and white lights bathing the interior of the car, and this was all too reminiscent of that other night when my life changed.
Where was Jade? How was she? Was she safe? Was she happy? Vova’s and my men kept an eye on her, but what was that really going to do?
“Who…who are you?” Gianna whispered, wrapping her arms around herself, but I didn’t bother indulging her with an answer.
Thirty silent minutes later, we pulled up to a large, bland building, and Gianna stared out the window, trying to figure it out.
In contrast to the strip club, this place was very quiet. A door slammed somewhere as soon as we walked in, and the lady behind the reception desk lifted her eyes to us.
“Good evening,” I started, pulling Gianna after me. “We’re here to meet Marilyn.”
“Oh, yes. She’s been expecting you. I’ll let her know you’re here.”
I had a death grip on Gianna’s arm, and she stood beside me quietly, still sniffling, still scrunched up into herself.
“Hi, I’m Marilyn.” A dark-haired woman stepped out of a door that had to be buzzed open. “You’re here about the volunteer position?”
“Yes. This is Gianna,” I introduced her and Marilyn smiled so kindly. “Do you mind showing us around?”
Marilyn took one glance at Gianna and nodded, motioning toward a steel door. We followed. Well…I followed, forcing Gianna after me.
“What the fuck’s going on?” Gianna whined, drowning in tears. Marilyn didn’t turn around, just continued down the wide hallway illuminated with cold fluorescent lights.
Finally, she stopped at an unmarked door and opened it. “I’ll give you some privacy.” Marilyn shot me a curt smile and passed a file.
Gianna looked around the small meeting room, filled with a desk and four chairs, all of it flimsy and a little dirtied. There was generic art on the wall and a graying carpet on the floor—exact atmosphere I was going for.
“Sit.”
Gianna didn’t argue. She pulled out a chair and took a seat right on the edge, as timid as a mouse.
“You’re going to make a choice tonight,” I informed her, pulling out a chair beside her. I sat down facing her, but she didn’t turn to me, just stared at the table and wiped her tears.
“You can either work at the strip club or volunteer here. The strip club is paid; you get to keep all the money. I hear private dances pay well.” I dropped the file on the table. “There’s no pay here but…no private dances either.”
“What is this place?” Gianna whispered, afraid to look around.
“This is a women’s and children’s shelter. Women come here when they’re homeless. Usually running away from abusive partners.”
Gianna turned to me then, her eyes blazing in hatred. “Why the fuck would I volunteer here? What the fuck are you doing, Alex? Is this some kind of sick prank?!”
“No, this isn’t a prank,” I assured her, leaning back in the chair. “I thought about killing you, but that wouldn’t teach you anything.” Gianna scoffed, but her shitty attitude dampened. “You can work at the strip club if you’re worried about not making an income.”
“What did I ever do to you?” she dared ask, breaking down into tears once more. “Why-why are you doing this?”