Frankie
There wasno good reason for me to head to the bar, other than I wanted my mind to quit spinning following my talk with Mama. I felt like an asshole for snapping on her the way I did, especially once she explained what her issue was and invited us to dinner. I knew I should’ve gone back to Tony and Enzo’s for their video game marathon, but I needed to be alone. Needed to not look at my brothers’ faces and be reminded of the hurt I’d caused Mama tonight. Plus, I was still pissed at Tony for blowing the situation out of proportion, making it seem as if Mama had offended our customers.
Max was one hell of a bartender. By that, I mean he knew better than to ask why I’d gone from MIA to a frequent flyer at the bar. The only question he asked was whether I wanted beer or something harder. Since I’d already started the night with beer, I decided to play it safe and stick with a draft hard cider.
Between customers, Max and I chatted about whatever random topics caught our attention. He reminded me to call him if we ever needed a bartender to fill in again, saying it was nice to make bank without feeling like he was selling himself as much as slinging drinks. I opened my mouth to argue there was a difference between selling your body and flirting when I felt a hand at the small of my back at the exact moment Max noticed someone impatiently flagging him down for another round.
I didn’t think anything of the man behind me at first. After all, the men who came in here knew it was safe to be as forward as they wanted. I turned my stool so I could politely inform my would-be suitor that I wasn’t available when I was met with vibrant blue eyes. A lump formed in my throat, making it difficult to breathe. Men like him were the reason I’d stayed away for so long. My heartbeat raced as I thought about all the nights seeing his face had been exactly what I’d needed. He was more forceful than many of the guys I’d taken back to the storage room, but I’d never had an issue with that. Before Calvin, I’d have been wishing for someone like him after a day like I’d had.
“I haven’t seen you around,” he shouted loud enough to be heard over the thumping bass before leaning close to my ear. “You had me worried something had happened. I asked the bartender about you, but he pretended he didn’t know who I was talking about.”
“Max is good at minding his own business,” I told him. Once upon a time, the man before me, I think his name was Aaron or Andrew, was my idea of a perfect night. He came in, we disappeared down the hall, he came, and then left. No muss, no fuss. Seeing him when I was so unsettled tipped my world on end. I felt far drunker than I should have after three beers, but I knew that was my mind playing tricks on me, not anything hinky.
My entire body tensed when he kissed my cheek. Never had there been any sort of intimacy between us. No matter how beautiful he might be, he was a business transaction. He gave me exactly what I craved, but that was before I had a taste of truly letting go. “I missed you. What’dya say we get out of here and have some fun?”
“I don’t do that anymore,” I told him. Foolishly, I thought that’d be enough for him to leave me alone. I was caught unaware when he slid an arm around my waist. “Come on, you don’t want a scene in front of your friends, do you? What would Eli say if he found out you were the one who’s been sucking cock for money in the back room?”
“Let go of me,” I demanded. He looked up, and an evil smile broke out across his face. I followed his gaze and noticed Eli walking our direction. This could work out in my favor. Maybe. “He’ll never believe you if you tell him.”
“No? Well he’ll have no choice once he sees the video of you down on your knees like a good little whore.” He pulled a phone out of his pocket and deftly scrolled to the still image of a video. And that was definitely me in what I used to consider my uniform for nights out. Fuck.
I didn’t have time to consider my options before the guy squeezed his hand around my forearm and pulled me off the stool. I could fight, but then the cops would get called, and Eli’s liquor license was still provisional thanks to issues the previous owners had. I could call for help, but who’d believe me? As I looked around, I saw no fewer than half a dozen dudes I’d taken to the storage room for a little release. Plus, there was the issue of Eli. What would he think if he found out his best friend was living with the whore who’d turned tricks inside his business? I couldn’t risk my past ruining their friendship. Once we were outside, then I’d figure out what to do.
“That’s a good boy.” The praise flowing from his lips soured my stomach. “That’s right, Frankie. I know your little secret. I know you get off on being told what to do and that being called a good boy makes you hard as steel.”
“How in the fuck would you know that?” I hissed through gritted teeth.
“I’ve seen you and your wannabe Dom coming out of The Lodge. It was a complete coincidence, but when I saw how you reacted to him calling you a good boy, I felt like I’d been given a second chance.”
“You’re fucking delusional.” The grip around my arm tightened and he twisted my arm behind me.
“Maybe I am, but eventually, a man like that won’t be enough for you.” He said this as if he knew the first fucking thing about me. “He can give you so much, but you need to feel owned to truly let go. That’s what makes you such a good little whore.”
I jerked to the right, trying to break free from his grip. I’d never felt physically weak or insignificant, but in that moment, I did. My arm felt ready to snap, but no one paid us any attention. Just a few more steps and we’d be to the door. Then I could figure out what to do. I could break free and run like hell back to Marino’s, praying he didn’t follow me. The only thing that could possibly make this worse would be him finding out who I really was. It was bad enough he knew my fucking name.
The cool night air hit me as he led me through the door. He pressed his body against my back, hiding the evidence that I wasn’t with him willingly. Just as I opened my mouth to scream, the fucker bit my ear. “Don’t cause a scene. You get the cops called on us and I’ll be forced to show them that video.”
I bit down on my lips, as much to stay silent as to keep from crying like a little bitch. My arm felt ready to pop out of its socket, and I didn’t want to think about what would happen if the asshole got me into his car. “Going to have so much fun with you tonight. I’ll show you what it’s really like to be owned.” He ground his erection against my ass and I wanted to hurl. Despite the chill in the air, my body broke out in sweats, more terrified with every step we took away from the Saturday night partiers. This end of the street was darker and deserted, perfect for forcing someone against their will without being noticed.
He shoved me around the corner into a dark alley and I panicked when I ran into someone. I swung my right arm, certain that this fucker had an accomplice, making solid contact with the other man’s cheekbone.
“Motherfucker!” I had to be losing my mind. No way—“What the fuck, Frankie?”
Spooked that we’d run into someone who knew me, the asshole shoved me to the ground and bolted. Before I made contact with the sidewalk, Tony caught me, letting out a grunt of pain.
“You okay? What the fuck did I just walk up on? Who in the hell was that asshole?” Tony helped me off the ground. “Let’s get you a drink.”
I froze when he steered us back toward Club 83. I couldn’t go back there. Wasn’t sure when I’d be able to without thinking about all the things that could’ve happened. Every time I’d dropped to my knees, I’d potentially put my life at risk. I’d let myself fall into a false sense of security, thinking I was in control, but tonight proved that was only an illusion.
“I… I need to go…” Where was I going to go? What Ineededwas to go home to Calvin, but he wasn’t there, and I wasn’t sure I could deal with an empty house tonight.
“Come on, I’ve got you.” Tony didn’t pry as we walked to his car. When he draped an arm over my shoulder, I sank against his body for support. He sent a quick text to someone before starting the car and we rode in silence to the apartment he and Enzo shared.
Upstairs, the door opened and Enzo hugged me close. That was the final straw that broke me. These people loved me no matter what, and I hadn’t trusted them with my secrets. I’d hid so many pieces of myself I wasn’t sure they’d ever know everything.
Enzo walked me to the living room and handed me a beer once I was settled on the couch. I could hear him and Tony whispering in the kitchen and was grateful I wouldn’t have to fill in everything that’d led to my meltdown. The longer I sat there, the more certain I became that honesty was the only way forward.
“How you feeling?” Tony asked. The twins flanked either side of me on the couch. “Need some ice for that wrist?”
