by V. F. Mason
With one last glance in the mirror and faking a smile, I left the washroom and instantly bumped into Jack. My body instantly tensed up.
Jack was sort of a bouncer in this place, and sometimes behaved as if he was the owner and not Hank. He would give orders. He would stare at the waitresses and me with lust-filled eyes. The worst part was he would proposition us. So far, I think I was the only one who refused to sleep with him, and he took it as a personal challenge. He tried to be nice about it, but lately he was losing his patience. He would harass me, and even threaten me sometimes. So I started to think that maybe I should have said something about it to Hank. I was already out of my mind with the whole Sociopath thing. I couldn't afford going crazy at my workplace as well.
“Look at you, all ready to make those fuckers out there sweat. Yet you act too good for me.” His voice was sarcastic and he repulsed me. His breath smelled of beer. Suddenly, he grabbed me hard, surely leaving bruises, and he pinned me against the door. I couldn’t get away from him.
“Jack, let me go.”
“Why? I think it’s the perfect place for a quickie, don’t you?” He moved his mouth lower to mine and the bile started to rise in my throat. I had to think fast. I relaxed my body to distract him, and the minute his grip on me was looser, I aggressively rammed him in the nuts with my knee, which earned a pain-filled moan from him.
His hands let go of me, and I was free to run toward the bar door, but not before I heard his angry and spiteful words.
“You’ll pay for that, little bitch.”
His words scared me; my legs moved faster, and finally, I reached the door and rushed inside the bar, where Hank stood arguing with one of the waitresses.
His eyes shifted to me, and he frowned. “What happened?”
Sociopath
The guy was still groaning in pain from Sapphire’s kick, and it gave me satisfaction that my girl could take care of herself when she needed to, not that I appreciated her being in danger. Only I could put fear inside her; no one else would touch her without facing my wrath.
I slowly made my way toward my next victim as he looked at me and snarled, “What do you want, man? Get the fuck outta here.”
“I don’t really think so,” I said calmly. I grabbed his shirt, and with all my strength, I punched his face so hard that his head jerked backwards and his nose started to bleed.
Then, before he could say anything, I held his filthy hand, which probably bruised my girl, and crushed it until it broke. I didn’t have a single regret. He cried out it pain and tried to escape, but I gave him one last kick in the knee that made his leg crack and he fell.
His eyes were still open, and I gave him the smile all my victims received.
“You ever touch her, or so much as breathe in her direction, you’re dead. And this conversation never happened, or I’ll make damn sure you won’t even wake up in the hospital.” Without waiting for his reply, I went into the nearest washroom, took off my gloves that would never leave traces of my DNA, made myself presentable, and walked out, not giving him a second glance.
Having feelings for someone definitely made me reckless. I’d never hurt someone like that outside of the job.
However, he tried to take what was mine.
And no one took away what belonged to me.
Not anymore.
Sapphire
The bar was slowly clearing, and I started putting everything in place before closing. Despite wearing a warm jacket, my body still trembled after what happened.
After I told Hank about the assault, he reassured me that he would take care of this, and he was pissed as hell at Jack for taking advantage of the girls like that.
The next thing we knew, Mandy, our waitress, ran to the bar area, screaming for help. We found Jack lying on the ground almost beaten to death, and we had to call an ambulance. Although he wasn't the nicest person and had mostly likely planned on raping me, I didn't get any satisfaction in knowing he sort of got what he deserved.
No, the only thought that ran through my mind was there was only one person who could have done this to him.
Sociopath.
Was it him? Was he with me everywhere?
“Sapphire?” Finally, it dawned on me that someone was calling my name, and I spun around to see Dominic leaning on the bar, looking at me worriedly.
“Dominic?” All those hours feeling scared made me long for human contact. Without hesitation, I ran into his arms and let him hug me. I somehow felt safe, maybe not fully, but it was there, and I needed it tonight.
His arms enclosed me tightly and he gently rocked me, without saying a word. I assumed he probably knew what was going on here tonight. Dominic tenderly ran his hand over my hair in a soothing motion, which calmed me enough to pull back and study him. He seemed tired, if his exhausted facial expression was anything to go by. His focus was on me as his mouth lifted in a gentle smile that barely reached his eyes. His hands palmed my head and raised it up a little.
“Are you okay?”
I shook my head. His eyes ran all over me, and he noticed the red bruises on my arms that were turning blue. Dominic’s face instantly flipped from soft and gentle to furious, and for a second, it felt like another person was in front of me. I took a step back. The look quickly disappeared, but I was already on high alert.
Who was Dominic?
“You’re not. He got his hands on you, didn’t he? Hank told me that he tried to force himself on you. If that fucker wasn't already suffering, I would have broken his bones myself.” Something lethal about his voice made a part of me like it.
The fact that he wanted to avenge me.
Are you out of your freaking mind, girl?
“Don’t say that,” I whispered.
“It’s the truth. I don’t see the point of sugarcoating it.” He shrugged then picked up my jacket and purse from the corner and extended his hand toward me. “Let’s go.”
“I can’t. I still have an hour to work.”
“Not anymore. I spoke to Hank, and you can leave.” As sweet as it was, I really wanted to get my full wage for tonight. Rent was coming up soon, and knowing Sophie, she had nothing to offer. I needed to make sure we had enough.
“Thanks, but I need extra cash.” Maybe I should have felt ashamed for telling him I needed the extra five dollars and tips, but I didn't give a shit. I was damn tired of being sorry for the fact I worked my ass off. His gaze hardened.
“He said it’s fine and you would get the money anyway. He told me you’d say this, that you’d be stubborn about leaving. Your life is more important than money, Sapphire.”
He did not just say that.
Was he for real?
“Right. I used to be breezy like that when I had all my credit cards too, you know. Then, guess what? Real life happened, and it proved pretty much that I was screwed if I had no money. So how about not judging me, okay, golden boy?” I knew he didn't deserve my snapping comments and rudeness when he tried to help, but I couldn't stop myself from making a point.
Sometimes people just didn't get it. I used to be a princess as well, without a care in the world, but that was no longer the case.
After a minute of silence between us, he finally sat on the stool and motioned for me to go back to the bar, and I raised my brow in question.
“If it’s important for you to stay here, we’ll stay one more hour, and then I’ll take you home.” Without waiting for me, he grabbed a glass and the whiskey bottle, and then poured himself a shot with such expertise that I stood there amazed with my mouth half open. He laughed at my reaction. “I used to bartend when I was backpacking through Europe. I learned to be a good judge of character.” That was true; in this kind of job, you got to see lots of people. Now it was my turn to blush, because I threw those words at him when he did actually know how to work.
“Sapphire?”
“Yes?”
“Could you please stop thinking about shit? Finish your shift, and then I can take you home, wh
ere you can relax and take a long bath. How does that sound?”
“Heavenly.” I almost moaned, because taking a bath was once a pleasure of mine. It allowed me to let go of all my problems. Then another thought came to mind, which kind of ruined the whole idea.
“I can’t do it.”
He frowned. “Why the hell not?”
“Because my place doesn’t have a bathtub.” It only had a nasty shower, but at least the water was warm. I guess I would have to deal with a hot shower and sleeping under tons of blankets.
“My place does.”
I was slightly taken aback by his suggestion, but he wasn't joking. “Look, as nice as that sounds—” I started, but he immediately interrupted me.
“Sapphire, you can come home with me and take a long, hot bath. I’ll make you dinner, and then you can sleep and relax. In my guest room.” His look spoke volumes, and what he described did sound tempting. His apartment was big, had an amazing view, was warm, and had a bathtub. It sounded damn good to me. But I needed to be sure.
Because I knew I wouldn't be able to do more than that, even if I wanted to.
And I didn’t. Not with him anyway.
“That’s it? Nothing more?”
His eyes held mine, which left no doubt about his answer. “Nothing more.”
“Then I’d really love to accept your offer.”
He chuckled and raised his glass in a toast. “It’s a deal then.”
The evening looked promising enough.
“I just need to call Sophie to let her know.” As much as I was angry with her and the whole job thing, I didn't want her to be worried.
He nodded and gave me back my purse. I took out my phone and dialed her number. Putting it to my ear, I pinned it with my shoulder while I made some drinks for the cute couple who just came in. After several seconds, she finally picked up.
“Sophie?” There was loud music in the background, and some male voices.
“Hey, girl!”
“Hey, where are you?”
“You won’t believe it, Sapphire! I got a job today!” she squealed excitedly.
“You did?” I asked skeptically, because really? Last time I checked, she was passed out on the couch, and all of a sudden, she found a job? “What kind of work?”
“Modeling, duh! I got the call, and they said they liked my portfolio and invited me to dinner to discuss the terms and conditions. It’s one of the best modeling agencies in the city, a golden opportunity, you know?”
“Yes.” I did know, and I was happy for her. But at the same time, I couldn't help but feel bitter that she was finally doing what she wanted, while I was stuck in the same dump.
“So they offered me a contract, and guess what! I got my first payment already, and I’m leaving for Europe tomorrow.”
“That’s great news, Sophie!” She was living her dreams.
“There’s more!”
“There is?” I gave the drinks to the couple, who tipped me well as I saluted them with my hand.
“They offer housing as part of the contract, which means they’ll be giving me an apartment. So no more living in that shithole, and no more double shifts for you. You can quit bartending, and focus on your job at the library and your writing. We’ll live in a better place, and I will have enough money to get us by.” She was the only one who knew about my dream to become a children’s book author. The process of self-publishing cost money. A year ago, my life changed. My priorities shifted, and all the money I had was needed to survive, so I put that dream on hold for better times. Everything she said sounded perfect. But part of me was worried, because it sounded was too good to be true. In the light of all the events that happened lately, it was scary even.
“Honey, that’s amazing, but are you sure it’s legit? I mean, all those things—”
“Sapphire, you and your worries. This is the big break I was telling you about! It finally happened.”
“Yes, I get that, but what I meant—”
“Sapphire, everything is cool. Just be happy,” she snapped, and probably, it wasn’t the best time to have this conversation.
“Okay, Sophie, let’s talk tomorrow. I’m not coming home tonight, and just wanted to let you know.”
“Some hot dude from the bar?” she said as she giggled, and I just rolled my eyes. Girl was crazy.
“Something like that.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow. Love you.”
“Yeah, me too, Soph.” She hung up, and Dominic placed his hand on mine once it was free.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, great actually. Sophie got a job, and she said we are moving to a better place.”
“That’s good then. She’s doing something.”
“Yeah.” The subject was pretty much closed after that, and for the next hour or so, he was watching me while I was tending to the last customers. Once my shift was done, I washed my hands, put on my jacket, and said my goodbye to Hank. He was still feeling bad about the whole situation, but I reassured him that everything was cool and I would be back soon. As happy as Sophie was about her new job, I wasn't about to quit mine. Not for now at least.
Alan was as nice as he was in the morning, and that probably took some art, given the fact he was on the clock 24/7. The car ride was peaceful, and before I knew it, I dozed off on the backseat and only woke up when Dominic lifted me and carried me inside the building.
“Dominic, put me down. I can walk by myself.”
“You can, but you don't have to.” Too exhausted to argue, I went with the flow and noticed a few women, who looked like they came from some high society event, looking at me with envy. We took the elevator and finally reached his floor. He opened the door.
“Damian?” He tensed and stopped for a second, but then resumed walking upstairs to the guest room, I assumed. “He isn't home.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, he has the club, remember? He has to take care of it. Don’t worry. It’s not like I have to have his permission to do anything, Sapphire.” That may be so, but the idea of him in the next room was unsettling.
The room was beautiful, big, and warm. The walls were purple, which was my favorite, and looked more like a girly room if anything. It didn't really go with the overall interior of the house.
He put me on the bed, and for a second, we held still, our eyes locked in a sort of embrace.
“So sweet,” he muttered, and then leaned back and straightened his spine. “You need a bath, dinner, and sleep. Everything in that order.” He pointed at the door a few feet away from us. “The bathroom is there. Take all the time you need. You have everything in there. Once you’re done, you can come down to the kitchen, all right?” I nodded, and with one last glance, he left the room.
I had no idea what I was doing, but I tried not to think about it, because there was no freaking point at all.
The bathroom was huge, and I instantly fell in love with the bathtub. It was a Jacuzzi type, and it had all the bubble generators pointed to the center. The towels and robes were ready, and all the body lotions I could ask for. I even found makeup remover. He either had a lot of female guests—but that meant he would have had to buy everything new for each of them—or he did all this for me.
At this moment, I decided I didn't really care and was simply grateful it was all there. The bath was filling up as I twisted my hair into a knot. I climbed in and sat down, moaning at the hot water enveloping my sore muscles.
Sociopath
She really needed to learn how to control those moans of hers when she was in my house. I had a good view of her from where I sat, and she was beautiful.
Just like I imagined. Her body, her scent, her voice did stuff to my body that no woman before her could do. The idea of sex repulsed me, but I used it all the time when it was needed. However, with her, I wanted to try things I’d never done before. I hadn’t touched another woman since meeting her.
I had a deep desire to grab her out of the bathtub and eat
her out on the counter while she moaned my name. Then I wanted to take her front-to-front and enjoy every cry of pleasure and pain she gave me as I lost myself inside her.
She was clean. I knew that by the health bills she had. I was clean too.
With her, I didn't want to use a condom. I wanted to give her everything.
Soon.
Soon, Sapphire would belong to me, and nothing in this world would change my mind.
Rushing through the lobby to Uncle Ken, I ignored the rapid beating of my heart and the idea that my dad could be a part of something so horrendous. My head rested on the elevator wall as memories of my childhood rushed over me.
Dad and Mom always being busy. How all Dad’s friends had this glint in their eyes when looking at me when I was a kid. Dad being able to afford all the luxuries when the company wasn't doing so well.
His side business explained all that and then some.
The elevator’s door opened, and I went inside the penthouse where Uncle Ken stood by the window, admiring the view of New York. He spun around, studied me carefully, and then opened his arms. With a cry, I wrapped my arms around him, squeezing the life out of him. He gently patted my head, rocking me from side to side.
“What’s going on, honey? Your call was unexpected.”
I let his soothing voice calm me. Uncle Ken was more like a dad to me than my own father was. Sophie, his daughter, was my best friend, and he always found time to go to the movies with us, parks, or other everyday stuff my dad had no time for. Usually, when there was a problem, I counted more on him than my own family.
I leaned back as he was holding me by my shoulders, and showed him the paper in my hand, which was a bit wet from the tears that had fallen on it. With a frown, he snatched it and started to read.