“No, actually, I haven’t been paid shit yet and even if I had, he still raped me. Does Madame Moirai even care what happens to the girls she sells off to the highest bidder? Or is that just inconsequential noise in the background?”
I was blowing my own plan to play the game but the minute Olivia mentioned Henri, I wanted to puke. I would die before I returned to his care.
“You’re being difficult.”
“And you’re not listening to me.”
“Let me speak plainly…you signed a contract for sex. What did you think was going to happen?”
I glared. “Not what he did to me.”
She shrugged, saying, “You seem fine to me. Aside from some light bruising, you were otherwise returned in excellent shape. You’re acting the spoiled child and it’s unattractive. You agreed to the terms,” she reminded me.
“No one told me what the fine print truly entailed and you know it. Don’t pretend that Madame Moirai’s stupid contract was completely transparent with what might happen to us. I sure as hell don’t remember signing off on being imprisoned after the deed was done.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. This is hardly a prison,” Olivia said.
“I’m locked in with three hots and a cot. Sounds like prison to me. Except prisoners usually have access to cable television at least.”
“Madame Moirai believes television erodes your mental health.”
“I believe being raped eroded my mental health more.” I paused before adding, “Do you ever have trouble sleeping at night? Just wondering.”
Her nostrils flared, her lips compressing. I didn’t care that I was stomping on her nerves. The bitch deserved it.
“You seem pretty comfortable passing judgment when you were more than willing to do whatever it took to get the cash,” Olivia said with barely contained anger, as if I were being petty and it was her job to point it out. “It’s a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black, wouldn’t you say?”
“Not even in the slightest,” I disagreed hotly. “You people target girls who are desperate but you don’t tell them what really happens because if they had any sense they’d run and then where would Madame Moirai get fresh product?” I skewed my gaze at her, narrowing my stare in speculation. “Were you elevated? Is that why you’re part of this nightmare machine? I can’t imagine why anyone would want to be part of this scheme unless they were forced but you seem to enjoy the misery of others so, which is it — forced or willing?”
Color flushed Olivia’s cheeks and her eyes flashed with something that resembled human emotion but she shut it down as quickly as it flared. She rose, irritated, “I’m going to give you time to rethink your rash decision as well as your hurtful and damaging words. Henri is one of our best clients and it’s a privilege to be asked to be his long-term companion. You’re passing up an opportunity of a lifetime. Don’t be naive. This is the golden ticket if you’re smart enough to see what you’re being offered.”
“My answer is no.” I wasn’t going to budge.
Olivia went to the door, her expression pinched. She turned to me before leaving, saying in a clipped tone, “I think a little time to reflect on your choices would be wise. I’ll return when you’ve come to your senses.”
The door shut behind her, locking as always.
If that were the case, I’d rot in this room. I wasn’t going to change my mind. Not ever.
Now I knew why I was getting preferential treatment. My ‘elevated’ status meant I needed additional care. Henri wanted me returned to his bed so he could abuse me some more. I was the prized pig, being kept safe and plump in my cage until it was time to deliver me to my master.
I couldn’t imagine anything more loathsome than feeling Henri sweating and grunting on top of me again. To feel his fingers on my skin, or taste him in my mouth. I suppressed a shudder. I would gladly and defiantly walk headlong into a raging fire rather than suffer anything Henri would force upon me.
How did someone lose so much of their humanity that they could hurt others like this?
Did they ever lose sleep at night for the things they’d done? Likely not.
I thought I’d seen the worst humanity could dish out but now I realized I’d been embarrassingly naive. Humble pie tasted like sour milk, fear, and degradation when Madame Moirai was the baker.
Jesus, who were these people? They were criminals. People with crazy money were plain, straight-up evil. Olivia could shove that notebook up her ass. I wasn’t going to change my mind or ever agree to spend another minute with Henri Benoit.
He was the worst kind of evil. On the surface, he looked disarmingly charming. Good looks and a refined air hid his black heart. I hated him. I hated everything he stood for. I hated myself for being so stupid as to miss that I was being conned.
I should’ve known Henri wouldn’t let me go so easily. He’d already told me that night I was unlike anyone he’d ever had and that most people bored him. Except me. I’d fascinated Henri. How could I have known that Henri’s seemingly innocuous compliment would mean my ruin?
I needed to find Jilly and Tana so we could get the hell out of here. Tonight, I wouldn’t return to my room until I’d found them both.
Time was running out.
For all of us.
16
Night fell and a platter of oatmeal was delivered to my room. I smirked at the downgrade, obviously a punishment for my bad attitude with Olivia earlier, but I didn’t care. She could suck my dick if she thought I gave two shits about her feelings. She could talk to me until she was blue in the face about what an honor it was to be thrown back into the arena with the wolves but I wasn’t buying.
I was blowing this popsicle stand as soon as I could make it happen.
I waited patiently for the house to settle and then, same as before, picked the lock with my bobby pins and slipped into the hall unseen.
I clung to the shadows like a ninja, my feet making no sound on the plush carpet. I bypassed Dylan’s room and kept going to the first room I hadn’t tried yet. I saw the lock engaged, which gave me hope. I silently turned the lock and snuck inside, closing the door with zero sound.
My eyes adjusted to the darkness and I went to the sleeping form in the bed. I recognized Jilly’s pixie haircut. I gently shook her awake. Her eyes flew open with a small gasp but when she saw that it was me, her arms flew around me like I was a guardian angel.
I wasn’t a hugger by nature but I sensed that Jilly needed that comfort and held her tight. Jilly released me and I saw tears dribbling down her cheek. She whispered in confusion, “How did you get in here?”
“I picked the lock,” I answered. “Let’s just say I picked up some skills from my childhood that aren’t quite legal.”
Jilly nodded. “Are you okay?”
“I’m will be as soon as we get the fuck out of here. What are they feeding you?”
Jilly frowned, answering, “Lukewarm oatmeal. It’s like a bowl of glue. I can only eat a few bites before it makes me want to gag. Why?”
“They’re feeding me differently.”
“What do you mean?”
“Olivia said Madame Moirai sometimes chooses to elevate certain girls. They’re treated better than the rest. I guess I was chosen.”
“Chosen for what? What does it mean to be elevated?”
“In my case, it means my buyer wants another round for an indeterminate amount of time.”
Even in the dim light, I could see the color drain from Jilly’s face as she looked at me with ghostly fear. “Oh my God, what are you going to do?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m bailing on this shit show.”