From the conviction behind her words, I almost believed her. My body relaxed as she released me andsprayedconcealer on my now naked body.
As Anya began concealing the bruises a frowning woman shared tips about a few of the men. Preferred positions, favorite words to whisper to them, and how much they usually tipped.
In all the years I’d been working under my father, Icouldn’t remember ever feelingthis embraced. My father’s men always held me at a distance. Aware of who my father was, they were a mixture of fearful and jealous of what I could do. In my school life, I’d always felt like I was looking in on a different world. No one there knewabout theillegal assignments I got up to after school. And it was hard to relate to them when theirbiggestproblem was whether they’d pass the chem final.
But these women saw a girl who they could get nothing out of, and they still helped me. Even though I had absolutely no intention of participating in any salacious activities that night, I felt a sense of togetherness.
And asense of guilt for the judgment I had passed on them earlier.
When the spray dried, I slipped on the lingerie. The cheap material itched at my skin, but this time I didn’t complain or protest. It was important to me that they didn’t think I was judging them for what they were doing. I picked up the pleated black skirt that barely covered my butt, and the matching crop top that was so low cut that the red lace bra showed.
Although, I definitely was judging the men who insisted on this uniform.
To finish my look, I slung on some six inch stiletto heels that would have me towering over a lot of the men tonight. I checked out my profile in a gold leafed, full length mirror leaning against the wall. If I didn’t know it was me, I wouldn’t even recognize myself.
Thepower suitsI used to wear were replaced by a cheap, midriffbaringcrop top, and awanna-be schoolgirl skirt. Pale skin was replaced by a bronzed spray tan.
When I’d gone to work for my father, I’d hidden any hints of sexuality.Ialways tried to appear like one of the guys, as if showing any signs of femininity was a weakness.
As I looked in the mirror at mybarestomach, and high cheekbones I wondered if maybe I should have thought of it as a weapon instead.
When everyone else was ready, I followed behind the similarly dressed women into the hallway.
“Go up to any man with an empty glass and find out what they’d like to drink. There are some men who have preferences for other girls, butI’ll help you with that,”Anyainstructed.
I found myself smiling as I followed herinto the hallway.
Westrodeinto a room two doors down, and I immediately recognized one of the faces. Sebastianleaned againsta marble fireplace. Three men sat nearby him, reverent yet nervous expressions on their faces as they spoke in hushed tones.
A familiar feeling wormed inside of me. My father’s men had looked at me with thosesame expressions. And even though I was inglorified lingerie, Ifelt no envy for Sebastian’s position.There was something to be said about knowing the people around you saw you as aperson rather than a tool. When you didn’t have to wonder if they were saying something to you because they thought it would elevate their position.
Sebastian’sgrey eyes hooked on me as I moved into the large sitting room. They drank in the low cut tank, and the pleated skirt that barely covered my red underwear. He crooked his finger, telling me without words to come over right now.
Did he think Iwas a dogthathecould say ‘here’ to, and I would come running?
I switcheddirections,followingAnya towards five mencircled around a green felt poker table.
“Would you like something to drink?” Anya asked thesuited men.
I smirked at Sebastian and then turned my attention back to the men. An older man with a receding hairline grabbed my arm.
“Fifteen hundred,”he grunted.
“If you don’t take your hand off me, I’ll break it,” I growled. I might have enjoyed irritating Sebastian, but no man could grab my arm and speak to medisrespectfully. Well, apparently except for Sebastian.
“I like it when they fight. Three grand.”He kept his hand on my wrist, but loosened his grip.
Sebastiansteppedin front of me, anger etched into the hard lines of his face.
Chapter 43
“Elio,” Sebastian growled, the command apparent from a single word.
The calloused hands were off my wrist in an instant. The older man looked fearfully up at Sebastian. “Sir, I apologize. I didn’t realize she was yours.”
Without sparing him another glance, Sebastian grabbed my arm and yanked me out of the room. He led me down the hallway to an empty bedroom and locked the door behind us.
“Are you okay?” Sebastian asked, his entire body tense.
