“I suggest you get the fuck out of my face before I give you a new one,” I growl, “I'm not the one you want to fuck with.”
Suddenly, the ribbon on my corset is yanked back, and I collide with a hard chest. I keep my head low, knowing it's him, feeling the unbearable anger radiating from his aura.
When the girl speaks, I glance up at her scowling at Hell behind me. “You want me to just be okay with this, Hell? Her stealing my job? I have been the Hollow’s girl for years!”
Before I can even open my mouth to ask what the fuck she's talking about, his deep voice vibrates on my back. “She didn't steal your job, Pearl. I fucking did.” Her face falls at therevelation. “I was the one who requested she be the Hollow's girl.”
My brows pinch in confusion, “You did what?” I breathe out, my eyes flicking up to him behind me, but he keeps his harsh gaze fixed on Pearl.
“Are you going to argue with me?” he aims toward her, and I look to see her give him a small head shake in response, dropping her arms beside her in surrender.
“Good, now get the fuck out there and work.” He glances around, his dark eyes meeting every single girl in here but me, “Now!” he shouts aggressively causing all of our bodies to tighten.
They scurry out of the changing room like ants, including Blush and when it's just me and Hell alone, I pull my ribbon out of his grasp and face a mirror. “I don't need your help,” I mutter, refusing to meet his eyes, though I can feel his crawling all over me.
I reach around to tighten my corset, but I struggle without assistance, and from the corner of my eye, I notice him edging closer until he's standing directly behind me. He suddenly presses his hand against my back with a hard shove, forcing me to brace myself with my palms on the vanity.
“I said I don't need your help!” I bark, but he simply ignores me, wrapping the ribbons around his tattooed fists and presses his crotch against my ass. With a swift, powerful yank, he pulls them so tight that I groan, the air leaving my lungs.
“Shut the fuck up and let me help you, stubborn Little Dolly,” he demands. With my head tilted down, he continues to tighten the corset, clearly unaware of his own strength.
“I didn't mean with this, I meant in general. I could handle her...” I manage through shallow breaths. “Besides, what's with all the secrecy around here? Why does no one tell me anything?”
“I have no doubt you could handle her, pretty girl. I was just telling her the facts.”
My teeth grind as I respond, “That I am somehow the new Hollow’s girl?”
“That’s right.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re better than her and because I fucking said so,” he answers bluntly.
I roll my eyes, “That’s unfair, Hell.”
“Life ain’t fair, Noir.” I don’t argue with that statement because he is absolutely right.
“And what exactly do you want to know?” he questions, his tone sharp as he gives another tight yank on the ribbon. “I think deep down you know exactly what the fuck we are and what this place is,” he takes a brief pause before continuing. “It's no secret what Oddity is once you’re in it, but tonight’s show is just a mirage of normality. It disguises what really lurks beneath the surface.”
I wince, the corset digging into my ribs. “What does that even mean, Hell? I want to know why the fuck you think this is normal. Why you all act like it's just another day at the circus when it’s clearly one big farce.”
His grip on the ribbons relaxes slightly, but his intensity doesn’t waver. “Normal? There's nothing fucking normal about this place, Dolly. We live in the shadows, thrive in the mayhem. Every performer here has a story, a reason for being part of this twisted show and for most of us, it’s all that we know.”
“And what’s your story, Hell?” I challenge, turning my head slightly to catch his gaze in the mirror. “Why are you here?”
His vortex eyes darken, and for a moment he ponders before he continues with tying the knot. “My reasons are my own,” he says, his voice low, “But I won’t let anything, or anyone hurt you, Noir.”
I scoff, trying to hide the unsettling warmth his words bring.
“I don’t need your protection, Hell. I need answers.”
“You’ll get them,” he replies, tightening the corset one last time. “But you have to earn them. Trust isn’t given here, it’s fucking earned.”
I meet his gaze in the mirror once more. “And how do I earn it?”
He pauses, his spiral eyes flicking up to meet mine in the reflection, “By surviving. By showing that you belong here, that you can handle whatever the fuck this place throws at you.”
I take a deep inhale, my tone hardening, “And if I just want to leave?”
