AllFreeNovel
Share Us
One
Rhys
After five years, I’m finally back in San Francisco. I haven’t been back here since Tony first took me away when I was fifteen. The last time I saw my little brother. Jack is the only reason I haven’t tried to run away from Tony. He has someone watching my family at all times. One slip-up, and he’ll hurt Jack.
“Tonight had better go well,” Tony says, moving in front of me to straighten my tie even though I did it right the first time.
“It will.” It’s been a long, long time since I disobeyed Tony. Last year, we reached the point where I come and go without him, but he only let that happen after he got a collar with a tracking chip in it. The collar is locked around my neck, and only Tony has the key to open it. Most people would assume it’s just a decorative choker. Only others like me would know what it really means.
He didn’t need to put it on me. I wouldn’t have run from him anyway. As long as he has the ability to hurt my brother, I’m not going to do anything to chance it happening. Jack is my responsibility. I won’t let him suffer just because I’m miserable.
Tony finishes and then steps back to admire his work. “Turn and let me see the back.”
When I was younger, the way he did this used to humiliate me. Now I’m just numb to all of it. I can’t remember the last time I felt anything at all.
I turn, looking at my reflection in the full-length mirror of Tony’s massive walk-in closet. Bought with money he made off selling my body.
“Looks good.” Tony pats my ass. “Don’t make me regret putting you on this.”
“I won’t.” It’s a hollow warning from Tony. I’m the best one he has. The one he has the most to hold over. No one else will do half as good a job as I will.
When Tony’s satisfied, he walks me to the hotel around the corner and leaves me waiting in the lobby. The client will be here soon. It’s one I’ve never met, and he’s taking me to some office party. It’s my least favorite type to work with. I’d rather just let them fuck me and get it over with. When they insist on a date first, just to show me off to family or coworkers, it’s irritating. But Tony gets more money when I do it this way.
And all Tony cares about is the money.
A sleek black car pulls up out front, and an older guy with thick blond hair climbs out of the driver’s seat to come into the lobby. Bile rises in my throat, but I swallow it down. When I’m with these people, I can’t be Rhys anymore. Instead, I’m Anton. The one with all the smiles and the knowledge to be whatever the client wants me to be.
“Anton.” The guy stops in front of me, his gaze raking hungrily over my body. “You look even better in person.”
I paste a smile on my face and reach out a hand to touch his arm. “Well, Phil, I’m afraid I still won’t hold a candle to you. But thank you.”
Phil grins and gestures to the door. “Shall we?”
I steel myself and follow him out of the hotel into the chilly winter air. I used to crave fresh air, back when Tony first took me and kept me locked up as he “trained” me. I thought I’d never feel the sun again.
“Tony assured me that you were the best person for the job,” Phil says, turning the engine over. “My husband and I divorced, and unfortunately, we still work in the same place. I want you all over me. Got it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Sir.” He grins again, a little darker than last time. “I like that. I’m gonna get my money’s worth out of you.”
I take a calming breath and turn my gaze out the passenger window. Despite how ridiculous it is to dream, I can’t help hoping tonight will be the one where everything changes.
***
Phil introduces me to a lot of people, and I smile and charm them like I’ve been taught to do.
He’s not the worst client I’ve ever had. He gets drunk quickly, and he leads me around the room with his hand on my ass for most of the night. I can tell his boss doesn’t like it because he frowns at us more than once.
Phil’s steering me toward his ex when some woman steps in front of us with a frown on her face. Phil halts immediately and squeezes my ass in warning. Like I did something wrong.
“Leigh,” Phil says with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “What can I do for you?”
The woman looks from him to me and back. She lowers her voice. “We all know we’re at a party, but keep in mind that you’re still in public and at work.”
“How could I forget it’s a party when you’re here to remind me?” Phil asks, his tone clipped.
Leigh face remains impassive. “I don’t want to have to write you up again, Phil. You only have one more chance with Cameron, and he will fire you.”
