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The next six days proved trying. Contrary to rumors about me being good at faking it, I sucked at it. Despite knowing my pregnancy wasn’t showing yet, I tensed every time Anton’s hands or mouth roamed over my stomach. He could feel something was troubling me and finally called me out on it. I brushed it off, saying it was just nerves at my upcoming debut. Thankfully, he bought it.
Tonight, Risqué was packed. Many patrons got turned away unless they had reservations. While I wanted to believe people came to see me, I knew most only wanted to suck up to the big boss or to feed the gossip mill.
However, right this instant, gossips and brownnosers were the least of my concerns. After many backs and forths, Marcus and I agreed I would tell Anton tonight right after the show. Hopefully, it would be an extra cause for celebration. If not, I would use a stun dart on him to make my getaway. No one would question our absence for a few hours.
With my face so well-known, sneaking out might become tricky. Marcus prepared a disguise for me. This weekend was one of the busiest of the year. It celebrated the creation of the Galactic Council, representing the Eastern and Western Quadrants of the known universe.
With the celebrations, citizens from most of the planets in the sector gathered on Venus Hive for the countless events. Among them was a large delegation of Inugians. Inugi’s atmospheric pressure was much higher than most civilized planets. Although they also breathed oxygen, our lower atmospheric pressure would cause them to die from oxygen poisoning. So when they traveled off-world, they wore atmospheric suits which partially veiled their features.
Marcus obtained a replica for me, as well as fake IDs, copied off those of one of his Inugian acquaintances whose family owed him a favor. She had arrived with the Inugian delegation a couple of days ago, so security wouldn’t question seeing her name on the departure list.
Our region, the Eastern Quadrant, had mostly abandoned religion, in sharp contrast to the Western Quadrant who all worshiped the Goddess. However, right now, I wished I believed in some higher being that would help things work out with Anton. I really didn’t want to have to use any part of plan B.
The first show would start in less than forty-five minutes. I needed to stop daydreaming and get ready. As I began undressing, a soft knock resonated on the door.
“Come in,” I said.
Zenia, one of the ushers at Risqué, poked her head in. “Sorry to disturb you, Ms. Hopper. There’s a man out back saying he needs to speak with you. It’s quite urgent. You would know what it’s about.”
I frowned. The Inugian disguise was only supposed to be delivered after my first set to avoid the wrong eyes stumbling on it. Why did it arrive so early?
“Be right there,” I said, adjusting my dress and putting my stilettos back on.
I rushed to the back entrance which lay empty and silent. We planned to exit from here if plan B went into effect. Employees occasionally came back here to chat during their break. But with the show about to start and the patrons arriving, all hands stayed busy. I reached a hand to open the back door when the door to the utility room swung open, revealing a man I had never seen before.
“Over here Ms. Hopper,” he whispered, gesturing for me to come join him in the utility room. I hesitated. “Hurry!” His urgency prompted me to comply.
I stepped in. He closed the door behind me and shoved a pile of clothes at me.
“Put this on, quickly,” he said.
It looked like slave clothes found on some flesh markets, veil and leash included.
“What is that?” I said, cold tendrils of dread spreading along my spine. “Where’s Marcus.”
“Marcus is otherwise occupied,” the man said. His thin mouth twisted into an ugly sneer, revealing a row of crooked teeth. “Put it on now, you cunt, before I blow your fucking head off.”
He shoved a blaster in my face. I squealed, recoiling in fear.
What the hell is going on?
He slapped me hard. I fell back against a rack of pristine tablecloths. It groaned under my weight. I pressed my palm against my throbbing cheek.
“Make another fucking sound and I’ll beat you bloody,” he growled. “Now put the fucking clothes on.”
Shaking, I obeyed. I pulled the sheer, short beige dress over my head. The dress was opaque enough that it couldn’t be called nude, but transparent enough to show the curves of my body and nipples. With it, a dark veil hid my face. Technically, it was to protect the identity of indentured sex slaves since they might not want people to know they whored themselves out for a period of time.
I stole a glance at the man. He didn’t strike me as someone Marcus would hire to look after me. A strand of greasy brown hair fell over dark brown eyes. His beaked nose looked like it had been broken once or twice before. Broad and stocky, he stood only a couple of inches taller than me.
“Take off that collar and put this one on instead.”
I didn’t want to take the collar off. After Anton released me from our contract, I joked about not having to wear the collar anymore. It deeply disturbed him even though he tried to hide it. The collar meant a great deal to him. He had it made especially for me, with the gems a perfect match to my amber eyes.
“Make me repeat,” the man said, “and I’ll punch your fucking teeth out. I don’t need you pretty.”
I obeyed, choking back my tears. No sooner did I detach it from around my neck that he ripped the collar out of my hands. He stared, running short fingers with dirty fingernails over the gems. With trembling hands, I attached the new collar. The leash dangled to the floor.
“Hand over the earrings.”
