My earlier mirth died.“Do menhurtyou often?” I asked.
A shrug. “Sometimesmy pimp gets pissed when I didn’t hook enough men that week. Sometimes, a John gets pissed that his football team lost.” She glanced at my spraytanned skin hiding my own bruises. “You just get used to it.”
“Don’t let them do that to you,” I said,reaching for her hand.
Sheavoided my handand resumed her work on my makeup. Istared down at my spray tanned knees. That was easy for me to say. When it had come to my own beatings, I hadn’t been able to prevent any of it.
Afterwards, there was no hint of dried mascara or smeared lipstick in sight.Anya’shand had been heavier this time.The lines of my eyeliner were thicker and the bronzer more apparent. I cringed as I looked in the mirror, but kept my thoughts to myself.
“Time to get back to work,”Anyaannounced, and I followed her down to a billiards room while smoothing down the fabric of my skirt. The roughness of the fabric bit against the tenderness of my skin. Even though he wasn’t here,the achinessfelt like a caress from Sebastian.
What was wrong with me? He wasn’t even here and I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I was sure he wasn’t thinking about me, so why couldn't I do the same?
Inside the room, four men were playing pool. A shorter man with a bit of a potbelly attempted to make a shot. The pool stick completely missed the cue ball. He cursed and slammed back the rest of his drink. This was probably exactly who we shouldn’t be offering a drink, butno one cared what I thought.
Anya sashayedtowardsthe men.When she spoke her Russian accent came through stronger, “Would any of you like a drink?”
The short, portly man with greased back hairmoved closer tous. He lookedthe twoof us up and down and then smacked his pool stick against my vagina. My entire body tensed. The irritation and frustration that had been gnawing at me sinceI’d left Sebastian’s side overwhelmed me.
I grabbed the pool stick out of the man’s hand. Hescowled at me, andSebastian’s warning about these men flashed into my mind.
Well, fuck Sebastian. Hewasn’t here, because just likeevery person in my life he’dpicked me second. I’d learned long ago that the only person I could depend on was myself. And right now, taking this entitled greaseball down a peg was going to make me feel very good.
“Don’t fucking touch me,” Iwarned.
His eyesnarrowed, and he stepped forwardtograb the pool stick back. I held on tightly, a laugh escaping my lips at his futile effort.
“Do you know who I am?”he roared.
“Someone who sucks at pool?” I shrugged, while yanking the pool stick out of hisreach.
The three men standing nearby silently watched with shock on theirfaces.
Thegreaseball took another step forward.Anger and embarrassment turnedhis cheeks crimson.“I won’t have some fucking whore disrespect me. I make more in a year than you’ll make in your life. Get on your knees and beg for my forgiveness,” he said.
“Not going to happen,” I said, rappingthe poolstick against his shoulder.
He grabbed at my shirt, and I was ready to aim the stick at the most sensitive partof hisbody when Anya spoke.
“I apologize for her. She’s new, and still learning.”There was a tension in her voice that I didn’t like.“Allow me to make it up to you. I’d be happy to give you a discount as a show of our apology.”
The portly man released my shirt and stepped back.
“Fine,”he growled, and grabbed Anya’s arm.
“Are you sure?” I asked, ready to jump in if she changed her mind.
“Don’t worry,” Anya flashed me a small smile. The manyanked her out of the room, and Ireluctantlyturned my attention to the three men staring at me.
“Whiskey?” I asked.
Theystared back at me in silence, and I slowly set the pool stick back on the table.
“I’ll be right back,” Isaid while backingout of theroom.
Regret gripped at me while I wandered down the empty hallway.I didn’t give a shit if I’d embarrassed that douchebag, but I felt bad about Anyagettinginvolved. I’dgive her a portion of tonight’s paymentin orderto more than makeup for the money she’d lost appeasing that greaseball.
After I circled the floor twice, Irealized I hadno idea where the bartenders were. Until this point I hadn’t made it far enough to actually get a drink order.
