“Really, Nina, it’s no big deal. Men like to look at beautiful women.”
I don’t bother arguing that I’m guessing they’d prefer someone taller with bigger tits because I still can’t believe this is about to happen. “This is so fucking degrading,” I say. “What if they want more than just some friendly conversation?”
“We were assured that it’s not that kind of establishment, weren’t we, Richard?”
My dad nods but doesn’t quite meet my eyes. This whole conversation is making me feel queasy, and when we begin to enter downtown, I stare out the window, wishing like hell I was back in my Russian literature class. We pass the turnoff to go home, and a sense of absolute dread starts to wash over me.
“We’re not going home?”
“We told you it’s already been arranged,” my mom says, clearly exasperated at having to repeat herself. “We sent some of your belongings on ahead so everything would be ready for you.”
I let out a harsh laugh, feeling my body start to shake. “Wow, I really didn’t have a say in this at all. You’ve already signed me over to this place, and it doesn’t matter what I want.”
“Welcome to being a woman, sweetheart,” my mom says, looking at me like I’m a moron. “Consider yourself lucky that you’re just now learning this hard life lesson. I was forced into a marriage with your father when I was barely eighteen. You think I wanted that?”
“For god’s sake,” my dad mutters.
My mom ignores him. “My parents wanted to connect our families, and it’s been beneficial to everyone involved, but it’s not what I wanted. I did my duty, and now it’s your turn.”
“I’m nothing but a fucking pawn, is that what you’re saying?”
My mom’s cold stare sends a shiver down my spine. “I’m sorry if I ever gave the impression that you were anything else.”
I turn my head, unable to look at her a second longer, and will myself not to cry. She’s always been distant, but I naively thought that underneath it all she cared, that she loved me, but it’s clear I mean nothing to her. When the limo pulls up in front of a small, nondescript building with Ruby’s Lounge written above the door, I try to convince myself that this won’t be all that bad. I can wear a dress and smile and try to get men to buy drinks. Yeah, it’ll be a bit degrading, but as soon as I’ve worked off my dad’s debt, I can finish my degree and leave this city and never look back.
My mom doesn’t even bother to get out of the limo, just pats my thigh and opens her compact, giving me a dismissive, “Don’t embarrass us, sweetie,” as she uses her finger to wipe away some lipstick at the corner of her mouth.
Stunned, I grab my backpack and leave the car without even managing a goodbye. My dad leads me into the small, dark lounge. The place isn’t at all what I was expecting. There’s only a handful of tables, and not even those are full. Aside from a surly looking bartender, the place is empty.
“Dad, it will take me a lifetime to pay off your debt in a place like this. Does anyone even come here?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. The place is packed at night. You won’t be here long at all,” he assures me, but I can tell by his tone that he’s just telling me what I want to hear.”
Before I can say anything else, a tall redhead walks into the room. A huge smile lights up her face, highlighting how stunningly gorgeous she is. She claps her hands together and runs her eyes over me.
“She’s perfect, Richard, exactly what I’ve been looking for.” Her voice is sultry, and her green eyes are piercing when she asks my dad, “Our arrangement is still in place?”
“Yes, yes,” my dad assures her. “Nina knows she’ll be staying here until the debt is paid.”
“Wonderful,” Ruby says, smiling at me. “I just need to have you sign a few things, and then we’ll get you settled into a room.”
I look up at my dad. “I’m staying here?”
“Yes,” Ruby says, leading me down a small hallway. “There are several nice rooms upstairs. It’s just easier this way. Plus, I need to make sure you aren’t going to run off. Your dad owes a lot of money to some very dangerous men, and I’ve given them my word that it will be paid off, so if you decide you don’t want to work here, then it’s my ass on the line.”
“I wouldn’t just run off,” I say, following her into an office that’s barely big enough for the desk and two chairs that are stuffed into it.
She shrugs her bare shoulders. “I’m afraid I can’t take that risk. The rooms are nice. You’ll like it here.” Her tone makes it clear that it’s not up for debate. She opens a drawer and pulls out a piece of paper, sliding it over to me. Handing me a pen, she says, “I just need you to sign this agreement.”
My hands are shaking when I pick it up, and I have to read through it twice before it starts to make sense. The gist of it is that I’m agreeing to work off my father’s debt at Ruby’s, and when I sign my name, it feels like I’m signing my life away. My dad rests his hand on my back when I set the pen down, letting me know he’s pleased. When I was young, I would’ve done anything to get his approval. Now, it just makes me feel sick. I don’t want to be here, and I sure as fuck don’t want to live here. I’ve heard enough rumors about the mafia slowly taking over the city to know that if my dad is mixed up with them, then we’re all fucked if I don’t do this. Anyone who’s ever watched a mafia movie knows that family members are often the first to go bye-bye.
Ruby smiles and puts the signed document away. Turning her big, green eyes up at my dad, she says, “I’d like to go ahead and get Nina settled so she can start work tonight.”
My dad takes the hint and kisses the top of my head. “Be good and listen to Ruby, Nina. This will all be over before you know it.”
That’s the only goodbye I get before he’s walking out of the office without so much as a backward glance. I try not to feel the sting of it, but the cold exit leaves me feeling more alone than I’ve ever been. Ruby’s face is still lit up with a smile when I turn back to her. She stands up, moving her tall, lithe body around the desk and motioning for me to follow. She leads me down another hall and up a narrow staircase. The top is blocked by a shut door, and when she knocks and yells, “It’s Ruby. Open up,” it immediately swings open, revealing the largest man I’ve ever seen.
Ruby walks past him, and when I hesitate, she sighs and points to the man. “This is Bruce. He works security. Bruce this is Nina.”
