“Rivers—I’m going to assume that’s a rhetorical question, given your most current last name for all intents and purposes is also Ryker.” Ethan finishes packing all his equipment.
“But that’s not my real last name, or first name.” I refuse to go by Emily. Maya, cupcake, and Rivers suit me just fine.
“That might be true for the first name, just give it time and it will be for the last name.” He grins.
I choke on my spit, sputtering into a coughing fit. “Naw now. Don’t be funny,” I wheeze out.
“You were meant to be a part of this family, it just took you a while to get here.” He wraps one arm around my shoulders. “Let’s get this shit over with.”
Hehands me a black pill as soon as we get in the car. From what little I saw yesterday, I wouldn’t be surprised if men were drugging women’s drinks in there. More alarmingly, I didn’t think the owner or the bartender would even care either.
Nick just called Ethan and said he’s running late. My stomach twists in knots. Apparently, Kaleb and Tito are headed to meet him and are running late. Nick and Lucas can handle themselves, but it still makes me nervous. I really want him here with me.
“He will be ok. He’ll be there way before it’s time for you to get off. We’ll send word to Liam when he gets there.” I’ll be walking on eggshells until then but at least I don’t have to wait all night to know he made it back safely.
Diamond Aces Casino is more elegant than I’ve ever noticed. I guess because I’ve only been to Sapphire and not across the floor. Black onyx-colored marble floors shine so bright they reflect the crystal chandeliers in the ceilings. There’s no lingering smell of smoke or alcohol. In fact, the air smells clean.
Each table games’ dealer is wearing a tuxedo, and the cocktail waitresses are wearing the same style dresses and miniskirts with bowties for chokers. Each drink is in some sort of sparkling glassware. It must be shatterproof because I can only imagine the cleanup if one of them hit the floor.
Vade’s office is a deep maroon with a mahogany desk. Various degrees from Ivy League schools hang on the walls. I wonder what Nick’s office looks like.
The bracelet sits in the box on the desk. It’s a simple black nylon cord with a cupcake charm fastened to it. My heart swells, I know whose idea this was, and I wish he was here for me to tell him how much I love it.
The walk into Cottontails threatens to overtake my nerves but I refuse to let it. This is just the diner in Whiskey Rivers with alcohol and strippers. Easy peasy. I hold my head high, my shoulders back, and walk with a purpose. It’s showtime.
Liam’s waiting inside the door when I arrive. He gives me a small nod, and I nod back. Somehow I’m going to have to figure out a way to thank everyone who’s gone out of their way to help me out over the last few months.
“Emily, glad to see you could make it,” Tony grumbles at me. “There’s a sink over there, go get a bucket and wipe these tables down.”
“Yessir.” The tables need more than wiping down. They need to be replaced. The smell of stale rags by the sink is overpowering. Don’t they launder their towels here? Gross.
I turn the hot water on, but it doesn’t heat up and there’s barely any soap. Just got to do the best I can with what I have to work with. I walk over to the tables and start wiping the first one down. Tony steps behind me, causing the hair on my neck to stand.
“Lean over that table and scrub it good.” He doesn’t care about how clean the tables are, he just wants to stare at my ass.
A few customers start trickling in. I grab a tray and make my way to their tables to start taking orders. At some point during the night, the plan is to start asking the bartender about where girls around here can make some side money. Ifhe doesn’t know, I’m to ask Tony. My luck he will want me to blow him instead.
Once I deliver the drinks to the customers, I walk back to the bar to ask the bartender if there’s anything I should be doing when I’m not busy. But before I can ask, Tony peeps his head out from behind the curtain to the back and yells, “Emily, I have some paperwork for you to sign. Get in here.”
Liam nods when I walk by. I see him hold up three fingers by his belt loop. That means I’ve got three minutes before he comes in to check on me. Which is silly, because Ethan is watching the cameras and will see if anything happens. It’s very doubtful I’m going to be in any danger on my first night.
I follow Tony through the dressing room where the girls are getting ready for the night and into his office. It’s a small room with a broken-down metal desk and filing cabinet and what looks to be a large walk-in safe in the corner.
“I need a copy of your driver’s license and social security card,” he mumbles while lighting a cigarette.
I rummage through my purse, but for some reason my nerves overcome me, and I drop it on the floor. As I start to bend over, the door closes behind me. I’m frozen in fear, even though every instinct I have is telling me to run.
A hand runs up my leg, over my hip, and grips me around my waist. “Bend over and touch your toes, I’ll show you where the monster goes,” a low, gruff voice growls in my ears. Alarm bells ring in my head, I don’t have to look to know who’s behind me.
“Daddy,” I choke through my constricted lungs and stumble when I try to stand. My fear spikes to dangerouslevels. No, no, no, this isn’t possible. He’s supposed to be dead. I watched the house blow up. The news even reported that his body was found.
He was reported to be fucking cremated!
“Aren’t you going to turn around and give your dear old dad a kiss? I missed you.” He rubs my shoulder with his hand. Vomit rises in my throat, there’s no holding it back. I turn and wretch my guts up in the garbage can.
“Guess the feeling isn’t the same.” He and Tony both laugh.
Tears stream down my face. How many minutes until Liam comes to check on me? Surely Ethan’s made him aware there’s an issue. I just need to hang in there a few more seconds.
