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Marlon’s eyebrow lifts. “Your funeral, because rumor on the streets is Maxie-boy here has taken things too far with his lady friends.”
Max says, “That’s a lie. I’ve never been charged with anything.”
“Right,” Big Daddy snorts. “Well, if this is all you wanted to show us, then you can go.”
“And you’ll let Mr. Facilier know that I’m engaged to Ariel Triton?”
“Sure. Whatever you want, boss,” Two Fingers answers with a smirk.
Max curses under his breath and says, “Come on.”
I follow him from the room, praying that I didn’t just make a mistake, but knowing deep down that I did.
“Hurry up. I have a phone call I need to make.”
I step into the elevator behind him, keeping my eyes downcast. The ride is thankfully silent, though I still feel as if something horrific is on the horizon for me. Something I might not be able to survive.
The suite has been cleaned when we return. Max goes right to the bar, pouring himself a drink. I’m surprised he’s not drinking out of the bottle like he did yesterday.
“Get out of my sight.”
Gladly. Lowering my head, I slip from the main room, going to the bedroom. It, too, has been cleaned. You’d never know that something terrible happened here last night, or that something worse is likely to happen tonight. I think back to the conversation he had with the men. He’s here, trying to get support from the Families in Vegas. If he gets their support, then there’s a good chance that he will overtake the Families of New York. If anything, it would make him more powerful than he already is. I’m certain that’s his plan, too, because my own father once tried to do the same when Midas first announced he was going to retire. I shudder to think what will happen to me if he succeeds.
Max yells from the other room and it takes me a moment to realize he’s on the phone with someone. I should hide, but it will only piss him off. Moving to the window, I look out. All the hotels these days have safety features where the windows don’t open. I can imagine that’s especially important in a place like Vegas, where people come, hoping to change their lives for the better, only to find themselves lower than ever.
Looking down, I ought to feel scared, but I’m not. If this window were to open, I might just step out and see where I land.
“Are you okay?”
I jump, my heart racing, and turn to find a woman with brown hair peering at me from the door. She’s wearing a uniform, so she must work here. My mouth opens, but no words come out. She glances over her shoulder before creeping closer. She’s a pretty woman, maybe a few years older than me. Her hair is a mousy brown that makes her blue eyes stand out. It’s the sadness in her eyes that makes me hold her gaze, feeling as if I’ve just met a kindred spirit.
“My name is Ellie.”
If Max finds out I’m talking to someone, he’ll hurt me, but I’m so freaking tired of being alone.
I whisper, “Ariel. All my friends call me Ari, though.”
“Ari, did your dad do this to you?”
Hot tears fill my eyes and I look up at the ceiling, trying to pull myself together.
“He’s not my father. He’s my fiancé.”
The words are bitter in my mouth. A fiancé should be someone who loves you, not someone who’s going to kill you.
“Sorry, I just assumed…”
“That because he’s old enough to be my father that he is? Don’t feel bad. I would do the same in your situation.”
My voice breaks and I clamp my lips together, willing myself not to cry.
“Ari, is there anything I can do to help you? Anyone I can call?”
Hope courses through me, making me feel like I’ve just touched a live wire. I know this is a longshot. I mean, I’ve already asked him for help once. When I wouldn’t agree to his terms, he sent me away. God, why didn’t I just agree? Being a sex worker for a few months isn’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Shaking myself from my thoughts, I grab the notepad and pen on the nightstand and scribble down the only phone number I know by heart. The irony isn’t lost on me, either.
“Yes. There is someone you can call. His name is Kieran. Kieran Van der Zee. Tell him that Max Erics has me, and that I will doanythinghe wants if he can stop this marriage.”
Ellie pales, making me wonder if she knows who Kieran is. It wouldn’t be the craziest thing that’s happened.
