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Where am I?Taking in my surroundings, I cautiously step out of a tiny bedroom that is barely big enough for the single bed I was on. There’s a table with a hot plate and a dingy couch that gives me the shivers. I’m on edge, waiting for Max to jump out of nowhere.Why isn’t he here?
I glance out the window, the view giving no indication of wherehereis. I could be in Alaska for all I know. I hate the cold…
Please don’t say I’m in Alaska.
My eyes search the small space. No Max. My pulse slows slightly, but I stay on edge. On top of the hot plate is the card for Throne of Sin. The gold lettering taunts me and an eerie shiver dances through my body. I take the card, my shaky fingers ripping it into a million little pieces, and I watch them scatter to the floor like big, soft, fluttering, snowflakes.
I’m out of here. I swiftly walk toward the door before a distant ring catches my attention. The sound has my feet marching toward it and into the bedroom. A phone rests on the pillow that was next to my head and I eye it like it holds the plague. My hand hovers over the device, unsure if I should pick it up, and retreats when the sound stops. No more than a second later, its angry sound begins again.
Nope, not happening. I run out the front door, but a strong arm catches me around the waist, my feet lift from the ground, and I scream at the top of my lungs. A hand wraps around my face, hauling me inside before I’m pushed against a wall.
Atsking sound vibrates over my skin. “Already disobeying me, Sienna? This is not a good start.” Max’s hard features come into view.
I move my jaw, hoping to nip him, but the pressure is too great. “I’m going to uncover your mouth and you’re going to have to be a good girl. But before I do, I’ll let you in on a little secret.” He leans down, his lips hovering over my ear. “I find you incredibly sexy when you scream.” Finger by finger, his hand releases my face.
“I just woke up. I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I lie.
“You ripped up the card I left for you.” A cold chill races over me, sending my skin into a canvas of pebbled bumps. I swallow, not responding. Max’s short breaths fill the silence. “I’m your only chance of survival now. Everyone already thinks you’re dead.” His pointer finger brushes down the side of my face. “Don’t look so scared.”
Max takes a step back, watching each of my moves.
“Are you going back on your word?” His lethal tone booms through the room.
I straighten to my full height. “I don’t need reminders.”
“Be a good girl, and go to Throne of Sin. I left a change of clothes in the closet.”
Max gives me a wink, handing me a single key that I assume is for this place. I have no intention of coming back here once I leave, the joke will be on him.
“Oh, and Sienna, if you don’t come back, that friend of yours…what’s her name again? Ginevra? I’ll make sure she disappears. It would be such a shame, having her family lose her when they have already dealt with so much with her father’s passing…” He threatens my one and only friend before striding out through the door.
Doing a quick map search, I find that the club is just a few blocks from here. I intentionally leave the phone behind, wanting to make a quick escape, but there’s a darkness that follows me. I see no one, but I know he is there watching. It’s that same feeling I’ve had for over a month.
The large Throne of Sin neon sign blinks at me. I can’t believe I’m being bullied into this, but here goes. I walk in with a smile on my face, hoping to blend in, but all eyes fall on me. I stick out, and the girls eye me as I walk further in. The women look like the regular groupies from the motorcycle club who are all hoping to become an old lady. They have makeup plastered to their faces and wear clothes one size too small on their already-skeletal bodies. I glance down at myself. I have a healthy dose of cushion and look nothing like these girls. It’s obvious I already don’t fit in.
I walk right back outside to find Max standing on the opposite sidewalk. He lifts his hand and places a cigarette into his mouth and lights it with a lighter. Our eyes lock on to each other, the connection unwavering as we stare. I wouldn’t be able to pull away if I wanted to, it’s like two ends of a magnet and they’re being forced together no matter what you want as an outcome.
He takes a drag before he points back to the entrance. My feet hesitate to leave, because I still can’t look away. It’s a sin for Max to look so gorgeous when I know he’s not a good man. It’s deceiving and misleading, providing me with a horrible experience.
He turns his back, our connection severing immediately, and I turn to go back into the building.
“Change your mind?” The bouncer chuckles.
I give him a tight smile while squaring my shoulders. I go to the counter, watching the bartender on shift. He’s preppier than the clientele. Clean cut, suit, and expensive watch. Despite my best efforts, my nervousness rolls through me. I’ve never worked for anyone but my father. “I’m looking for Dante Mancini.”
The bartender turns. “Who wants to know?”
“I heard he needs another bartender, and I have experience. Is he in? I don’t have time to sit around. If he’s not, I’ll be on my way.” I wince at my straightforward tone, knowing it must be coming off bitchy. I can’t help it, my nerves are getting the best of me. I pick at the nail bed on my thumb as I wait for an answer.
The man raises his hand to shake mine, not looking put off by my attitude. “It’s only fair I know your name, if you know mine.”
My jaw drops, not expecting him to be the owner. He looks much too young. He can’t be older than me. Well, now I’m definitely not getting the job with that first impression.
“Sienna,” I introduce.
“You have a last name, darlin’?”
“Not one that anyone needs to know.”
