My mouth opens to speak, but it’s like my throat has gone dry and I can’t find the words. The next thing I know, Berry has his hands in my hair.
He tugs me closer—too close. Spikes of fear drive into me.
“I could have you if I wanted. You know that, right?” His eyes are scorching red with rage. He’s practically foaming at the mouth. “So you just do your job and behave yourself!”
He tosses me back, and I gasp for breath, realizing I’ve been holding it out of fear. My heart pounds hard in my chest like it’s being squeezed by an angry hand.
Cold flows through me.
Well, there goes my spicy mid-day daydream about Rick. Angrily, I take his toy and stuff it back in my drawer.
Any amount of horniness I had before Berry’s entrance is gone. Nothing can turn me off more than him.
I’m just finishingup my hair when I hear the door open. My pulse instantly starts to race. It’s Berry, and it’s time to go.
“I hope you’re ready,” he rasps, snapping his fingers. “We’re not going to be late for this.”
“I’m ready,” I reply, brushing a loose strand behind my ear.
I don’t know why I am expecting a compliment when I emerge from the bathroom. I did my makeup and my hair, and I’m wearing the dress he bought for me. But he doesn’t give me more than a glance before looking back down at his phone.
That’s fine, though. I don’t want or need his praise. There’s only one man whose approval I care about, but sadly, he’s not here now.
Berry has a car waiting outside that takes us into town. He chatters on his phone with someone the whole time like I’m not even there.
The drive is torture, but we finally pull up in front of a new modern building. I quickly step out and find myself looking down at a little girl who can’t be older than ten, who stares up at me with a smile on her face.
“Hello,” she says.
“Um, hi?” I reply. “How are you?”
“I’m good. I’m Amy.”
A woman in a maroon blazer and skirt stands beside her, holding her hand.
She’s absolutely adorable, but what in the world is she doing here? I look at the woman holding her hand for an explanation, but she just stares back at me with a stony face.
“And you are—?”
“Amy is our daughter for tonight,” Berry grunts, stepping up beside me. “This is Janice, my secretary. She belongs to her.”
He takes Amy’s hand and starts toward the house. Amy happily skips along beside him.
“Our daughter!?” I hiss into his ear. “Are you crazy!?”
“I told you, this guy is a real family guy. We have to put on a good show. Now shut up.”
I’m nothing more than a prop. A puppet in a dress, meant to look good so my ‘husband’ can make money.
I’m about to protest when the front door opens to reveal a frighteningly normal-looking man. Beside him is a frighteningly normal-looking wife with a daughter who looks just like her.
They all have the fakest smiles in the world plastered across their faces.
“Berry, my boy! How are ya!?” the man asks, extending his hand.
“Steve! Good to see ya!” He smiles and shakes it, then turns to me and gives me a threatening glare.
And that’s when it happens.
