Dmitri, my boyfriend of two years, had dumped me so suddenly and callously. One moment we were making dinner plans for the weekend, and the next he was screaming at me to get out. The look of cold disdain in his eyes as he handed me the check will haunt me forever. I gave him everything—my love, my trust, and my body. And he threw it all away, all for that whore who stood by his side with the most disgusting smirk I wanted to wipe off so badly.
I stumbled upon a park and collapsed onto a bench, succumbing to the torrent of tears I’d been holding back. My sobs echoed through the empty place as darkness fell. How could he do this to me? What had I done so wrong to make him stop caring? These questions swirled in my mind, taunting me with their unanswered misery.
The streetlights flickered on one by one, jolting me from my daze. I needed to find shelter for the night but had nowhere to turn. Dmitri cut me off from our shared friends, not wanting me to “tarnish” his reputation. My parents were dead to me, and I had no other family. That’s when I remembered Emercyn from my part-time job at the coffee shop.
She was the only person I could think to call. Emercyn answered on the first ring, concern evident in her voice when I told her what happened through choked tears. “Don’t move, I’m coming to get you,” she said gently but firmly. My mind swirled at how easily I was going to be manipulated. It was all in front of me, but I was too blinded to see it. He made me get a part-time job, and he allowed his ‘best friend’, aka his whore, Sheila, to work as an accountant in his company.
Emercyn arrived within half an hour, folding me into a comforting hug. She drove me back to her tiny apartment, letting me crash on her couch with a blanket and pillow. I must have cried myself to sleep from sheer emotional exhaustion. The next morning, she made me tea and toast, forcing me to eat something despite my lack of appetite. Over breakfast, she told me I could stay with her as long as I needed to get back on my feet. I was so thankful for her kindness.
After clearing away the dishes, Emercyn brought up the elephant in the room. “Have you thought about what you’re going to do now?” she asked hesitantly. I shook my head dejectedly, overwhelmed just thinking about the future. She placed a reassuring hand on mine. “A friend of mine told me about an exclusive bartender gig that pays really well. I think you should check it out,” she suggested.
I sighed, knowing I needed to find work fast if I wanted to stay afloat. Maybe bartending wouldn’t be so bad as a temporary solution. At this point, I was ready to try anything. “Do you have the details?” I inquired halfheartedly. Emercyn beamed, glad I was open to the opportunity, and scribbled down an address on a scrap of paper.
“They said to just show up tonight after 9. Wear something nice but comfortable. I really think this could be great for you,” she encouraged with a smile. I forced one in return, touched by her efforts to lift my spirits. After chatting for a little while longer, Emercyn had to leave for her day job at the bookstore.
Alone with my thoughts once more, I started to get dressed in one of my only semiformal outfits - a black pencil skirt and silky blouse. My makeup and hair took much longer than usual to do, mainly because my hands were still shaking from nerves and leftover anguish. By the time I deemed myself presentable, it was nearing 9 pm.
I took a deep breath before exiting Emercyn’s building into the chilly night. Following her directions, I walked the few blocks to an inconspicuous door tucked between two stores. There were no signs advertising the establishment within. Frowning in confusion, I thought perhaps I had the wrong address. Just then, the door swung open, startling me.
A tall, bald man in a sharp suit peered down at me impassively. “Name?” he grunted gruffly. “I-Isadora Cortez,” I stammered, intimidated by his hulking presence. He glanced at a clipboard before nodding once. “You’re expected. Follow me,” he droned, gesturing for me to enter. I complied shakily, curious yet anxious about what awaited on the other side.
The interior was dimly lit and sparsely decorated, with plush booths and low tables scattered throughout the spacious room. Smooth jazz music filtered through discreet speakers, providing a sensual ambience. A long bar stretched along the far wall, stacked high with gleaming bottles of liquor. Only a smattering of well-dressed patrons have occupied the space so far.
My guide led me through a nondescript door behind the bar. I found myself in a bustling kitchen, where two harried chefs worked over steaming pots and pans. A beautiful Latina woman with flowing dark hair caught my eye, striding over purposefully. “You must be Isadora. I’m Rosaline, the manager. Please, follow me to my office so we can discuss the details,” she said with a lilting accent.
Her tone was professional yet friendly as she sat me down across from her wide mahogany desk. “Emercyn spoke highly of your work ethic and customer service skills. We’re looking for an extra pair of hands to assist our bartenders during busy evenings. The pay is twenty dollars an hour plus generous tips. How does that sound?” Rosaline proposed graciously.
My eyes widened in surprise and delight. That wage was drastically higher than my coffee shop job. I couldn’t believe my luck to stumble upon such an appealing opportunity so quickly. All thoughts of hesitation fled as financial security danced before me. “That sounds amazing, I’d love to take the position,” I replied eagerly. Rosa beamed at my enthusiasm.
“Wonderful! I’ll have you shadow Miguel tonight to get familiar with him. Then you can start your own shifts next week. Do you have any questions before we get you set up?” She inquired warmly. I racked my brain but came up empty, still reeling over the turn my fortunes had taken. “No, I think I’m all set. Thank you so much for this chance,” I answered gratefully.
Rosa escorted me back out to the bar area, introducing me to Miguel - a lanky, boyish man around my age. His smile was crooked yet charming as he showed me the complex mess of liquors, mixers, and equipment behind the counter. Miguel was patient and thorough in explaining the various cocktails, drink orders, and responsibilities expected of me.
By the time we got swamped with the late evening rush, I had gotten my sea legs and flowed through the motions rather smoothly thanks to his coaching. Customers were polite and left decent tips, to my delight. The hours passed in a blink as Miguel and I tag teamed filling drinks. At last call, I collapsed onto a bar stool, sweaty and exhausted yet buzzing with adrenaline.
“You did amazing for your first night, Isadora. I think you’ll fit in great around here,” Miguel commented sincerely as we did a cursory cleanup. Rosa arrived to check on us, impressed by what she observed over my shoulder. “You picked up bartending fast. I’m looking forward to having you officially join our team,” she praised. I beamed under the positive feedback, proud that my efforts had paid off.
After wrapping up the final touches and cashing out my tips, Miguel offered to walk me out. We exited through the discreet door onto the empty street, the club patrons long gone. A shiver ran through me as the brisk autumn air hit my skin. Miguel noticed my trembling and gallantly draped his jacket around my shoulders with a charming smile. “Let me make sure you get home safely. Which way?” he prompted kindly.
I blushed, unused to such gentlemanly behaviour after Dmitri. Miguel seemed genuinely sweet as we conversed during our stroll to Emercyn’s. All too soon, we arrived at the familiar building, stopping at the threshold. “Thanks again for everything. I really appreciate you looking out for me,” I expressed gratefully. His returning grin made my stomach erupt with butterflies.
Before I knew what was happening, Miguel closed the space between us and pressed his soft lips to mine in a swift yet delicate kiss. Sparks shot through me as I stood frozen in shocked delight. Just as quickly, he pulled away with a hopeful gleam in his eyes. “I’d like to take you out for a real date if you’re interested. Let me know your thoughts,” he uttered tenderly yet nervously, backing away with a small wave before my stunned silence could continue any longer.
My fingers floated up to touch my tingling mouth, still reeling from the intimate moment. Miguel was undeniably attractive and kind, a far cry from my past mistakes with men. But was I ready to open my battered heart again so soon? I trudged upstairs, lost in perplexing contemplation, exhausted yet wired all at once from this wildly eventful first night at my mysterious new job.
I woke the next morning still uneasy about the interactions I witnessed at the bar the night before. Something didn’t seem quite right, but I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what was bothering me. I hoped that with the light of day, things would appear more normal, but deep down, I had a nagging feeling of unease.Shaking off my worries, I went through my morning routine and headed back to work. As soon as I walked in the door, I could sense a strange tension in the air. The staff were whispering to each other more than usual and giving me odd looks. Trying to ignore the uncomfortable vibes, I tied on my apron and got to work, setting up for the afternoon shift.The first few hours passed in a blur of mixing drinks and running food to tables. Business was slower than the day before, but the clientele seemed even more eccentric and unbridled in their behaviour. I felt eyes watching my every move as I served drink orders. A few men lingered too long, making inappropriate comments, whe
As the clock ticked closer to closing time, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled deep in my stomach. The air in the club felt heavy with tension, and the whispered conversations among the staff only added to my unease. Despite my best efforts to push aside my worries and focus on my work, the nagging sense that something sinister was happening beneath the surface lingered.As the last few patrons finished their drinks and made their way out, the club’s doors were locked with a finality that sent a shiver down my spine. I exchanged uneasy glances with my coworkers, but none of us dared to voice our concerns aloud.Before I could gather my thoughts, Jeremy appeared at my side, his expression grave. “Isadora, come with me,” he said, gesturing towards a hidden passage at the back of the club. With a sinking feeling in my chest, I followed him, my heart pounding in my ears.The passage led us down a dimly lit staircase, the air growing colder and heavier with each step. M
Kian’s face hardened as he regarded the newcomer, his eyes narrowing with barely concealed hostility. “Viktor,” he greeted, his tone clipped. “I wasn’t expecting you here tonight.”The man named Viktor let out a low chuckle, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. “Surely you didn’t think you could keep your little… soirée hidden from me, did you?” His gaze drifted towards me, and I felt a wave of unease wash over me. “And who is this lovely creature?”Before Kian could respond, Viktor stepped forward, closing the distance between us in a few strides. I shrank back instinctively, my heart hammering in my chest as he reached out and grasped my chin, tilting my face towards his. His touch was rough, calloused, and I fought the urge to recoil.“Such beauty,” he murmured, his eyes raking over my features with a hunger that made my skin crawl. “I can see why you coveted her, Kian.”Kian bristled, his jaw clenched tightly. “She belongs to me, Viktor,” he growled, his tone laced with warni
My eyes fluttered open to the sight of an ornately carved ceiling above a plush, king-sized bed. Sunlight streamed through the gauzy curtains, casting a warm glow over the lavish bedchamber. For a moment, I was disoriented, unsure of where I was or how I’d gotten there.Then the memories of the previous night came rushing back - the masquerade ball, Viktor’s repulsive advances, the explosive altercation between him and Kian. I shuddered as I recalled the wild, possessive look in Kian’s eyes when he proclaimed I belonged to him. His searing kiss, demanding and uncompromising, raising an unsettling mix of fear and desire.“Are you outta your friggin’ mind, Kian?” A gruff voice snarled from beyond the bedroom door. “Bringing in some random piece of ass off the streets like that? For all we know she could be a fuckin’ rat planted by the Feds or one of the Dmitri’s button men!”My blood froze at the venomous accusation. I strained to make out Kian’s response through the thick oak barrier.“
The first few hours of my captivity blurred together in a haze of boredom and restlessness. With nowhere to go and nothing productive to do, the bed was now my gilded cage began to feel increasingly suffocating. “I need to get out of here, even if just for some fresh air,” I blurted one afternoon, whirling to face my ever-present chaperone. “Kyle, please, I’m going stir crazy cooped up like this.” The hulking enforcer didn’t even glance up from casually cleaning the wicked-looking pistol in his meaty hands. “Sorry, you know the boss’s rules. You don’t step one foot off this property without me or one of the other capos to keep an eye on that luscious rump.” He shot me a slow wink, his gaze roving over me with an insolent appreciation that made my skin prickle. “Don’t worry, those pretty stems of yours will get some exercise soon enough when Kian comes calling.” Heat flooded my cheeks at the rude insinuation, suddenly regretting having opened my mouth at all. I huffed and stalked a
Kian and I sat across from each other at the dining table, eating in silence. I couldn’t help stealing glances at him, taking in the bruises and cuts that marred his striking features. He seemed utterly unbothered, devouring his food with typical gusto.My eyes traced the sharp lines of his face, the sensual curves of his mouth as he ate. Despite his injuries, I found myself admiring his rugged handsomeness, my gaze lingering perhaps a little too long. He must have felt my stare because he looked up suddenly, those mercurial eyes locking with mine.“See something you like?” he rumbled, one side of his mouth quirking up.I felt heat rush to my cheeks at being caught ogling him so brazenly. “I was just wondering what happened,” I replied, trying to seem nonchalant.Kian set down his utensils and leaned back, assessing me with that intense stare. “Let’s just say there are still some…lingering threats that need handling.”Before I could ask what he meant, he continued. “Which is why your
The heavy silence hung in the air as all eyes turned to me expectantly. Kian’s mother Octavia had asked who I was in a deceptively calm tone laced with steel. I swallowed hard, feeling Kian’s intense stare boring into me from one side and his father Vincenzo’s contemptuous look from the other. I had no choice but to answer. “My name is Isadora,” I began, keeping my voice as steady as possible. “I’m a student at the local university.” Octavia scoffed loudly. “A college girl? This is who you’ve brought into our affairs?” She shook her head in disbelief. “Of all the foolish, reckless things…” Kian and I sat across the large dining table from his parents, an uncomfortable silence hanging in the air. His father Vincenzo studied me with a look of disdain. “So, this is the girl you’ve brought home?” he said gruffly, eyeing my casual sundress with clear disapproval. Before I could reply, Kian spoke up. “Yes, Father. This is Isadora.” Vincenzo grunted. “I see. And what makes this one so
I stared at the ominous message on my phone, my heart pounding in my chest. ‘I’m always watching.’ Was someone spying on me? The thought sent a chill down my spine. Surely it was just a prank, right? I tried to laugh it off, but a nagging sense of unease lingered.The next day, I went to Emercyn’s apartment to gather my belongings. Kyle was told to follow me everywhere, so he trailed behind me like an unwanted shadow.As soon as Emercyn opened the door, she enveloped me in a tight hug. “Oh my god, Isadora! Are you okay? I was so worried when you didn’t come home. And why weren’t you picking your calls?!”“It’s a long story,” I sighed, stepping back. “Can we talk inside?”Once we were settled on her couch, I recounted everything - from being auctioned off to Kian, to the disastrous meeting with his terrifying parents.“They were absolutely horrible, Em,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. “His father called me a whore and said my parents must have died of shame over me.”Emercyn’s ey