Chapter 12

Ricky drives the four of us out to their club, Flamingo Hotel, in his G-Wagon. I stare out the window the entire way, trying to work out where on earth I am. If I want to escape them, I need to figure out where they’re keeping me, but I don’t know this part of Ravens Hollow at all. First, it’s all fenced fields and gated mansions sitting on oversized estates. Wherever they live, it’s the ritzy part of town. The part where you need a gate code to even get close to the house. It’s also not too dissimilar to the area I followed them to when I was tailing them, before we hit that dirt road.

Eventually the estates turn into suburban streets, and I get my bearings, sucking in a gasp when he drives right past the empty lot where my father’s house still stands as a pile of rubble. Horrible memories of that night flood back through me. Memories of these men. Why would he drive past here knowing how much it would upset me?

I find Alessandro in my line of sight, and he watches me, waiting for my reaction. I bite the inside of my cheek, stopping the venomous words from spilling out. I’m not giving him the satisfaction of playing whatever fucked-up game this is. And if I start now, I know I won’t be able to stop. I want to lash out at him and hurt him like he’s hurt me, but I can’t like this. Instead, I stare out the window and watch the familiar houses fly past until we’re on the other side of town.

The dodgy side features dimly lit streets lined by rundown or abandoned homes, with beat-up cars sitting in their sketchy front yards. My apartment’s close to here. Or was. I already know that after not paying my rent last week, my few possessions would have been turned out on the curb for scavengers to raid. Not that I had much, but what I had was mine, earned through working extended hours at the diner. Sadness washes over me, knowing what I have lost. Not just my old life, but my new one as well. These fuckers just keep taking, all the while sitting here in their expensive suits like the world owes them.

We arrive at the club ten minutes later. As Ricky pulls around the back, popping open a security gate with the swipe of a card and a nod to the guard, we park behind the building, and for once, I wished I had checked it out when Dani had begged me to go dancing with her. Part of me hopes I could be so lucky to bump into her here tonight. The thought sends a little spark of excitement through me. I miss her antics and wonder if she’s worried about me. I wish I had some way of contacting her. But maybe after tonight I can.

And then my thoughts travel to Ian. I’m curious if he’s searching for me. As a detective, he’s likely realized by now that I’m missing. I’m sure he’s trying to find me, and maybe it’s only a matter of time before he does. But I can’t wait.

“Are you getting out?” Ricky asks, holding the door open for me.

I stare up at him, wishing I could stay put. “Do I have a choice?”

He holds out his hand to help me. “No.” He laughs, pulling me up to standing before closing the door and locking his car .

The sudden chill in the late summer night causes me to shiver as it grazes my uncovered arms. Alessandro wraps a protective arm around me and forces me to move toward the back door of the club where Ricky and Maddox are already waiting for us, along with a couple of super-sized security guys. “I have some business to attend to. Stay with Maddox,” he gets out as we enter the ground floor.

“Don’t let her drink,” Ricky adds as the two of them stride away.

The club itself is huge on the inside, looming before me like a labyrinth of unknown secrets. From the street it looked like a rundown three-level motel with a flashing neon-pink sign of a dancing flamingo. But inside, I gasp in awe at the transformation. They have removed a portion of it, allowing it to open up completely to the third floor. Downstairs, there is a vibrant dance floor illuminated by neon lights and a crowded bar.

I feel Maddox’s fingers come to my elbow, digging into my flesh as he guides me toward a roped-off set of stairs. He nods at the bouncer, and he undoes the rope, letting us pass. “Boss,” is all the bouncer says in acknowledgment. Maddox shoves me up the stairs with him, not letting go of my arm until we reach the top and veer off to the side to stand looking out from the mezzanine.

“What’s up there?” I ask, looking above us to see another floor.

“Offices,” he grunts out, and I realize that’s all I’m going to get out of him. He’s a man of few words.

I sigh then look over the room. The middle is the mezzanine; looks like a member-only part of the club based on the bouncer below. Behind me is a bar, off to the side, tables with girls dancing, scantily dressed. I would feel sorry for them, wonder how they ended up dancing for cash in a club owned by thugs, but the truth is they look happier than me, so either they’re on some better drugs than me or maybe they’re the ones who have it right. They don’t have three assholes shoving them around and telling them what to do. Good for them. Drain these rich motherfuckers dry. Take what you want on your terms. I’m sure it’s empowering.

I can’t believe they left me with Maddox as my babysitter. Among the three of them, he is the worst. The silence between us is unnerving. The worst part is I’m not even allowed to have a drink. Doctor’s orders. Apparently because of the pain meds I’m still on. But what I didn’t tell Ricky is I stopped taking those things days ago, not fully trusting the shit he had me on. I need to be alert around these guys, not drugged up.

Maddox stands directly behind me as I stare out over the crowded dance floor below, wishing I was one of those girls swaying to the music. Carefree and living my best life.

I use the time to search for my escape. From what I can see, there is the main entrance and two fire escapes below me. They would have to be my best bet, because I already know the front entrance has a lineup of people waiting to get in and two guards, and the back door has another two.

The diamond on my hand catches the light, making me cringe. How dare Alessandro force me to wear his ring. Was it my punishment for teasing him with Ricky earlier? Or is there something more sinister going on here, with his comment about me not going out in public without his ring on my finger. Who would even know it was his ring? No one. He’s so full of himself.

“Hey, gorgeous, want to dance.” A well-dressed man in a black suit approaches me, proving my point. He moves joyfully to the rhythm of the music, possibly tipsy, but he looks like fun, so I smile flirtatiously back at him.

As I go to open my mouth and reply, Maddox steps in between us. “Move along,” he growls menacingly .

The man’s face pales, his eyes darting between us. “Sorry, Maddox, didn’t know she was your girl.” He backs away in a hurry, a scared-as-shit expression on his face as he disappears back through the crowd.

I scoff a laugh, disgusted. Maddox’s girl. No fucking way. Slumping over the railing, I continue my search of the lower floor. I feel him move in closer behind me, his warm breath on my neck.

“You ruin all my fun,” I mutter, unimpressed and sick of the deathly silence between us.

“You’re not here to have fun, Lana.”

My teeth grind together. He’s taken to calling me that. Lana, like we’re somehow friends, with nicknames for each other. Or it’s his way of taunting me, telling me he knows my secrets after what he found in my car. That’s my guess, anyway. “Obviously.” I roll my eyes in his direction, giving him as much attitude as I can. “Or I wouldn’t be stuck with a motherfucking monster for a bodyguard.”

He lets out a deep, sinister chuckle. “Monster. I like it.”

“It wasn’t a compliment,” I mutter back. “And while we’re clearing up nicknames, stop calling me Lana. My name is Harley, and you know it.”

“I should be calling you temptress.”

I raise a brow. What the fuck is he implying? “It’s not my fault your brothers both want me. I’m not doing anything to tempt them,” I huff.

His eyes run the length of my body, down to my toes then back up again, his forehead creasing. “Yeah, nothing.”

I flip him the bird. Fuck him. I didn’t even choose this fucking dress. I shift my gaze across the room, deciding he doesn’t deserve another second of my time. From across the downstairs dance floor, I catch sight of Ricky and Alessandro chatting with a couple of guys at the bar. Squinting, I try to make out who they’re with. I feel like I know one of them, the tall skinny one. I try to place him, and when I do, I feel my eyes widen in surprise.

“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath. I know him. He worked for my father.

“What is it?” Maddox moves in closer. He’s so close that I can practically feel his breath on my neck while he peers over my shoulder, looking in the direction I was.

“Oh, nothing. My leg’s just hurting from standing up for so long,” I lie, shuffling my stance to make it look more believable, but that only brings me closer to his solid body. He smells like cigarettes and something else I can’t quite put my finger on, but it’s vaguely familiar.

He follows my line of sight. “You’re a terrible liar.”

I cast a glance back at him, narrowing my eyes. “Alright, then I’ll play along, big guy. Who are they talking to?”

“No idea.” He casually raises his shoulders in a shrug.

I rotate my body so that we are facing each other and immediately regret it because we’re now so close , I’m forced to look right up at him. “Who’s the terrible liar now? They’re talking to Ivan Venality, he worked for my father.”

His dark eyes narrow in on me, making him look even more severe and sending a shiver down my spine. “Why did you ask me if you already knew?”

I tilt my head rebelliously. “Wanted to see if you would tell me.” I repeat his casual shrug from earlier. It’s not a big deal. I just figure if I keep asking questions, one of them is bound to screw up and tell me something valuable. Something that might get me out of their grasp.

His hand slides up my neck slowly, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. Thick fingers hold me roughly in place against the balustrade of the mezzanine as he closes his grip around my neck. I’m forced to stare up at him. The metal bar behind me is cold and hard and digs into my back painfully. “Don’t fuck with me and my brothers, temptress. It will only end badly for you. Playing games with us will get you nowhere fast.”

I suck in a breath as his grip tightens. “See, that’s where you’re wrong, Maddox. Both your best buddies have a thing for me. That’s not just going to go away because you say so. I’m willing to see how far I can push them. Just for shits and giggles, because you assholes have me locked up with no other form of entertainment.” My smile is sickly sweet but holds a bitchy edge that tells him to stop fucking with me. Every day I’m getting stronger, and every day I’m getting closer to being able to kick his motherfucking ass.

His eyes narrow into icy slits, brows furrowing deeply as his stubbly jaw clenches so tight it looks like he might break a tooth. He hisses out a snarl and shoves me so the top half of my body is hanging over the balcony, my feet dangling in the air. My heart bursts out of my chest in panic. “You’re not as special as you think,” he snaps, his voice dripping with loathing, each word laced with venom, his nostrils flaring with each sharp breath. His solid body presses so close to mine that I can feel how turned on he is. He’s sick. Totally fucked in the head. He’s getting off on trying to scare me.

With no resistance, I allow my arms to dangle freely at the sides. If he’s going to drop me, there’s nothing I can do to stop him. “More lies.” I laugh. “Your body betrays you, Maddox. Seems you want me just as much as your friends. Maybe this is going to be fun after all.” I keep prodding him, waiting for him to snap and send me flying to my doom below. But I know he won’t.

I feel his fingers constricting around my throat, our eyes locked in a defiant stare. “Do it,” I tempt him, knowing all too well he can’t. He doesn’t have the authority to kill me. He knows what this ring on my finger means just as much as I do. His boss owns me, or he thinks he does, which means I can fuck with Maddox all I want and there is nothing he can do about it. But he keeps squeezing till my eyes go blurry and I feel lightheaded. Mottled light dances through my vision. I fight against his grasp, taking quick, shallow breaths to prevent myself from becoming overwhelmed.

Abruptly, he pulls me back to safety and drops me to the sticky floor. Gasping for air, I inhale deeply, clutching my neck as I peer up at him. Pain throbs around my throat. “You really are a fucking monster, Maddox.” My lips curl into a smile, but it’s far from comforting. It’s a chaotic and untamed force, reminiscent of a sinister amusement rising from the depths of my subconscious. I can sense the madness in my eyes, a gleam that tells Maddox I’m teetering on the edge, relishing the chaos within me. Because I am just as messed up as he is, and he is pushing me to my limits.

His lips turn up at the sides like he’s impressed I’ve just worked him out. Or maybe he’s just working me out and he likes what he sees. Two peas in a fucked-up pod. But I’m turning into this person because of him. Because of this predicament, I’m stuck in. I need to escape before they destroy my soul.

Dragging myself back up to standing, I brush off my dress and regain what little dignity I still have left. I take a quick look back at the lower floor and notice that the boys have continued on. Who the hell knows where they are now. Maybe now is as good a time as any. “I need to use the restroom,” I mutter, my tone bitchy as hell.

With a disapproving glance, he flicks his hair back and motions for me to proceed. I’m not sure what my plan is, but I’ll think of something. This might be my only chance to escape. I have to try.

Pushing through the heavy black door to the facility, I find the space quiet; I guess up on this floor it’s mostly men besides the strippers, so there are only two stalls occupied. I study myself in the mirror; faint bruises are already showing on my neck. Fucking prick Maddox, what was he going to do, strangle me in front of the whole second floor of people? But I guess maybe he was. From what I gather, they own this place. Maybe it’s a regular Tuesday for him. Because not one person came to my aid.

A beautiful girl emerges from the stall behind me, smiling sweetly in my direction. “Love your dress. Valentino?” she inquires with a glimmer in her beautiful emerald eyes.

“Yeah, how’d you know?” I reciprocate her smile, surprised how nice it feels to talk to a normal person and not just the three assholes who have me captive. Makes me miss Dani even more.

“I’ve had my eye on it for a while. Looks stunning on you,” she compliments while freshening up her cherry-red lipstick. Her hair is long and dark, spun up into a fancy-looking bun, while she wears a champagne-colored sheath dress. I would say she looks to be about the same size as me.

“You want to swap?” I ask, coming up with a brilliant plan.

“What?” Her eyes fix on me with a curious expression, and I know I’ve got her attention.

I brush off a stray piece of lint from the skirt and shrug. “I’m not that big on it. My boyfriend bought it for me right before I found him cheating with his secretary; it must have been a guilt gift.” I shake my head, trying to make the story look believable.

Her pretty face contorts into a mask of pure horror. “Gross, what an asshole,” she shrieks.

“I know, right! Don’t worry, I kicked his lying ass to the curb. I like your dress so much better, if you want to help a girl out and swap.”

Her lips curl into a sassy smile, the corners lifting with a playful yet defiant tilt. “I’d love to.” She giggles as she reaches for the zip and shimmies out of her dress, handing it to me without a second thought. At the same time, I slip out of my black number and pass it to her, delighted at how easy that was.

After I slip it on, I study my reflection in the mirror, pleased with myself. “You don’t have a hair elastic in that bag of yours, do you?” I ask. My long hair is hanging down my back, and for this to work, I need it to look more like hers.

“Sure.” She hands one over to me, not even questioning why I don’t have a bag myself, but there is hardly a need for one when I don’t have a phone or wallet.

I fix my hair in a topknot bun. It’s not the best disguise ever, but it’s the best I can do with limited time and resources. If I take too long, I wouldn’t put it past Maddox to force his way into the women’s bathroom and drag me out of here. “Thanks, you’re a lifesaver.” I grin at her, so pleased with myself for my brilliant idea.

If she leaves before me, hopefully Maddox will be too busy looking at her to notice me slipping out. “Are you kidding? My girlfriends will not believe it when I return to our table wearing this.” She lets out a little excited squeal, checking herself out in the mirror from all angles.

“No worries, girl. Enjoy the rest of your night,” I say with a wave as she hurries back out. I follow closely behind her. Maddox is facing the club and away from the restroom, and as she walks past, he grabs her arm, thinking she’s me.

Instantly, my heart races. I can’t believe it, my plan actually worked.

I take off as fast as my fucked-up leg will let me. Passing them and going in the opposite direction. Shouting erupts behind me, the shriek of a woman’s voice followed by what sounds like the throwing of punches, and I can only pray the chick had an overprotective boyfriend or something that will keep Maddox busy while I escape .

Pushing past a couple making out on the landing, I make it to the stairs and hurry down them as fast as I can. I rush past entranced partygoers moving to the repetitive beats of the dance music blaring from the speakers. The fluorescent glow of an exit sign catches my attention, calling my name from its position on the far wall. I waste no time in heading toward it, shoving my way through the sea of sweaty bodies, thanking the Lord I chose flats tonight instead of heels; with my fucked-up leg, there really were no options. Knowing freedom’s within my reach, my heart races with excitement.

My plan worked. Despite the excruciating pain in my leg, I continue running at full speed, ignoring the discomfort. Shoving the heavy exit door, the cool night air hits me in the face in an icy rush.

Freedom.

Haunting green eyes meet mine, and for a second, I’m transported back in time. “Ian,” I gasp.

“Red,” he calls my nickname, his handsome face contorted with worry.

I move toward him as a hand snakes around my middle, hauling me off the ground and flinging me back inside the club. The door slams shut with a thud and locks in place.

The darkness of the club swallowing me up, I scream like I’m being murdered. No. No. No. I was so damn close I could smell the fresh air. How did Maddox catch me?

He drags me back inside, his enormous arms closing around me like a vice. His furious eyes glare down at me, nostrils flaring with each angry breath. His fingers dig into my flesh with a grip that feels like iron. “That wasn’t very smart,” he pants, trying to catch his breath. He must have damn well seen his life flash before his eyes when he thought he lost me. I can only imagine how murderous Alessandro would be .

But I don’t give a shit about how this will affect him. My stomach sinks, an emptiness consuming me. A heavy sigh escapes my lips as a lump forms in my throat, making it hard to swallow. My shoulders slump, and as he drags me back up the stairs, a wave of disillusionment washes over me, leaving me feeling hollow and defeated. This was my one and only chance, and I was so freaking close.

My stomach twists in knots, not from fear of what Alessandro is going to do to me when he hears about what I did. It’s because I know without a doubt that was Ian, my trainer, hanging outside of the club. His face has made a permanent imprint in my memory. He was right there, like he knew I was about to run through the door, and he was waiting to save me. I knew he would be worried about me, searching for me after I didn’t show up for our session last week. But what I can’t work out is how he would have known I was here and about to come right out that door. It’s too specific to be a fluke. Is he on to them and about to save me? I have to hang on to the hope that he is.