GEORGIE
"Georgie, what are you still doing?"
My madam voice sliced through my thoughts, making me flinch as she stormed toward me, with her heels clicking like a countdown to something terrible.
"He is already waiting," she snapped. "And you know how he gets when people keep him waiting." I glanced at her with irritation.
"I don't… I am not the one who goes to him, only filling in for Stella's shift." I groaned out in annoyance.
"Well I don't give a damn, you are the one fit to go to him today… he is one of the powerful men in the city and you are not to look up at him until he gives the order."
This place never cared whether I was comfortable or afraid. It only cared that I smiled, poured drinks, and survived another night.
Choice was a luxury I lost a long time ago ever since my madam bailed me from an arrest that could have cost me my freedom forever. But she came to my rescue and ever since then I needed to do this job to pay back my debt.
"Yes, ma'am," I whispered.
My fingers trembled as I adjusted the thin fabric clinging to my body. The dress was not mine; it was for Stella, but I needed to put this on so as not to make our client mad, since he preferred this outfit.
I followed her down the dim hallway, my heart pounding harder with every step.
"Ma'am," I murmured carefully, "Ma'am is there a way for me to change this? It's too revealing."
She stopped abruptly and turned on me and I knew I had just annoyed her.
"Is this how you are going to act when you are just about to see him in the next few seconds?" She fired at me.
I shook my head, words tangling in my throat as I tried to explain, but she grabbed the collar of my shirt and yanked me close.
"Listen to me very well," she whispered harshly. "Do you want to keep working here, or do you want to go back to where you came from?"
My past flashed through my mind, and, crazily, I didn't want that to happen again.
"I will go," I said quickly, not waiting for another word before the door opened and I could breathe again.
She walked in first, dragging me behind her. I tugged uselessly at my shirt, heat crawling up my neck as I stepped into the room.
The room had the normal soft lighting and a leather chair sitting in the middle.
"Well, Mr. Stone," my madam said brightly, her voice coated in false concern, "She is here now… we apologize for the delay."
'Mr. Stone.' The name struck something inside of me.
I lowered my head instantly, but curiosity betrayed me. I tried to steal a glance.
"Do the needful," my madam mouthed at me.
I knelt beside the table, placing the drink down carefully. As I reached for the wine bottle, a cloud of smoke drifted lazily toward my face.
It hit my lungs like fire making my chest tighten instantly.
I coughed, my breath breaking apart as panic surged through me. I was not supposed to react. I knew better than that, but I did already.
"What the hell is this?" the man's voice growled. "What kind of useless girl did you bring here?" The sound of his voice alone made my blood turn cold.
"Mr. Stone, I am so sorry," my madam rushed. "She is the best we have. She just needs a moment." But something else was running through my mind. "No, this can't be, he can't be the one." I tried convincing myself.
The smoke swirled again, and against every instinct screaming inside me, I lifted my head, breaking the rule that could cause me trouble for my entire life.
There his eyes met mine and my world tilted, he was still as handsome and domineering as ever.
Recognition flashed in his gaze the moment they met mine.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Georgie?" my madam shrieked. "Look down!"
"Georgie," he called calmly and I swallowed hard. My name sounded different on his tongue.
Before I could move, his hand wrapped around my neck. He leaned closer, tilting my head slightly as his eyes traced my face with unsettling familiarity.
"So that is the name you have been using." He murmured and I knew again my plan had been ruined.
Seeing him again is about to cause me another pain in my life.
Then fear crept into my madam's voice. "Mr. Stone, please. She will not look at you again. I swear."
He released me abruptly, pushing me aside as he stubbed out his cigarette.
"Five million," he said casually. The number made my head snap up.
"Her whole night with me."
"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "Please." I pleaded with her, I can't go with him.
Yes, I know him and I have been hiding away from him all these years only to meet him today freely in my workplace.
"Mr. Stone," my madam tried weakly, "private arrangements are against our rules…"
"Ten million." And this made my madam fall silent.
"I am not a prostitute!" I cried out, my voice breaking. "I will not go with you!"
But he burst out into a very deep laughter, low and dangerous, then leaned toward me again.
"How dare you say no to me?"
"I… I… Luci…" and his grip around my neck tightened instantly.
"Do not say my name," he growled. "Not from a mouth like yours."
Terror wrapped around my spine, this look had never been directed at me seeing it today makes my skin crawl.
"We can get you another girl," my madam said quickly. Then Lucian lifted his gaze to her.
"You think I will settle for another girl?" My heart slammed against my ribs, hearing this.
"What if I do not return her at all?" he added calmly.
I stood suddenly. "I am not an object! You cannot buy me!" As my words sounded funny his smile widened.
Seeing I had no other choice I turned to the door hoping to escape, guards blocked the door.
Before I could think twice, I felt pain explode in my shoulder and my body weakened instantly, collapsing as darkness crept in.
Then his voice rang in my head, "After five years of searching," Lucian whispered, "you really thought I would let you escape again?"