Liam didn't wait for an answer before walking out. The door closed softly behind him, leaving only the buzzing fluorescent lights.
I sat on the bench, clutching the hem of Liam's T-shirt, gripping it tight.
I knew Silvio wouldn't let this go.
The way that man looked at me was exactly how Richard had looked at thirteen-year-old me. Disgusting. Vile. Predatory. They never cared what women thought. Our consent didn't factor into their considerations at all.
I couldn't let him get his hands on me.
The next afternoon, all the dancers gathered in the rehearsal room as usual, waiting for Silvio's pep talk. He stood at the front wearing a new shirt—yesterday's alcohol-soaked one was probably in the trash.
His eyes kept crawling all over me. Sticky. Revolting. Made me want to vomit.
When the talk ended, everyone started filing out.
"Chloe, stay behind."
The moment he spoke, the girls heading for the door all slowed down at once. A few glanced back at me. A girl with purple hair brushed my hand lightly as she passed, saying nothing.
I knew they pitied me but were completely powerless to help.
One by one, the doors closed. Footsteps faded. The rehearsal room was down to just me and Silvio.
Silvio flashed me a smile, then walked to the door and locked it. The sound of the metal bolt sliding into place echoed several times louder in the empty room.
"Sir, whatever you need to say, you can say it now." I tried to keep my voice steady. "I need to get to the bar."
Silvio turned around and started slowly unbuckling his belt.
"No rush." His lips curled back, showing a row of crooked teeth. "Today's main objective is improving your skill set. The boss saidyesterday your technique was pretty average. As your manager, it's my duty to help you get better."
I backed up step by step until my back hit the wall. "Don't come near me." I tried to sound tough, glaring at him.
"You know something, Chloe?" He kept talking as he walked toward me. "You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen. Prettier than Casey, prettier than Tess, prettier than anyone in this whole club. Being noticed by me? That's your lucky day."
Silvio's hand grabbed my wrist.
In that instant, the man in front of me turned into someone else. He wore a plaid shirt, had a kind smile, a gentle voice—the good neighbor everyone waved to, the beloved teacher Richard Vance.
He'd walked into my room the same way. Closed the door. Pulled at his belt as he approached me.
Said almost the same thing. Give it a kiss, my dear girl, beautiful Chloe.
Silvio's hand moved from my wrist to my shoulder, the other hand yanking at my collar. His nail scraped across my collarbone. I could smell cigarettes and mint mixed together in his breath—nauseating.
"Don't touch me!" I finally broke free from that thirteen-year-old nightmare, slapping his hand away hard. "One more step and I scream. Everyone outside will hear."
Silvio froze for a second at my reaction, then gave a contemptuous smile.
"Go ahead. Scream." He tilted his head, tone casual. "You think anyone out there's gonna do something? They're glad it's not them being called in here. In this place, sweetheart, no one's coming to save you."
That's right. No one would save me. I'd learned that lesson young. Not even my own mother.
I only had myself. I wasn't thirteen anymore. I wasn't that little girl who could only curl up in the corner of her bed, trembling. I had a baby in my belly who needed my protection.
I'd be damned if I'd let this happen to me a second time.
I jerked my knee up toward his crotch. Silvio twisted sideways,dodging most of the impact, but my knee still grazed the inside of his thigh. He stumbled back half a step, his grip loosening for a split second.
